Please Don't Make Me Get Out the Christmas Dishes

 It has been a beautiful, albeit somewhat rainy and overcast, fall here in the Twin Cities Metro area.  The trees have been abundantly colorful, remaining so throughout October.  I was able to get by most days with a sweatshirt, a temperature measure for me.  I appreciate lingering falls which don't make an overnight dump into winter.

So saying, the calendar flipped to November 1 today.  The fall decor is showing its age as it's been up since Labor Day. This is when the internal conflict arises between should we stick with oranges and browns and vibrant yellows or is it time to pull out the green and red storage bins to unearth Christmas in its splendor?  Usually I can hold out until mid November, though some of the satellite radio stations switch to Christmas music over the next week or so and that always incents me.  If the weather stays mild-ish and snowfall free, I feel less of a pull toward setting up the holiday spangles, even as I remind myself that it's a whole lot easier to put up the exterior trim while gloves and hats are optional.  

Apropos of what might feel like nothing related to when is an appropriate time to bypass Thanksgiving decorations and head straight into Christmas, I want to tell you a story about the 2024 elections.

This year, early voting began here in Minnesota on October 16 and I have felt privileged to work at the polls almost every day since.  Similar to what is being reported on a national level, voters in Minnetonka where I work/volunteer have been turning out in record numbers.  I also was involved in early voting in the 2024 election, including working the actual election day which is a long haul, arriving at the poll by 6:00 a.m. and not climbing into bed until well after 10 p.m. (This is because I am the assistant Lead Judge; one responsibility is to get all required paperwork back to City Hall and checked in for accuracy.  I'll be doing this again on November 3.)  

When I got into my car on November 5, 2024, I turned on Minnesota Public Radio, believing that reporting could be counted on to be the most neutral and unbiased.  I barely backed out of the parking space when I picked up on what sounded like a death knell sounding from the commentators.  As I flipped around the radio dial, my worst fears were confirmed.  Donald J. Trump was returning to the White House.

Upon arriving at home, I immediately opened up a can of 

and added a generous slug of vodka to it.  I couldn't refrain from turning on the television, even as I used the White Russian on steroids to tamp down my sadness.  I fell asleep but unfortunately woke up just as Trump was claiming victory.  All I could think of was my children and grandchildren and I cried myself to sleep.

November 6 dawned with continued bad news.  Republicans were claiming the House and the Senate.  Checks and balances would be shaky if even a part of the next Congressional session.  Though tempted to wash down breakfast with a can of 

I refrained.  And I turned off the television, turned on the Christmas music, I'm pretty sure I called My Friend Jeanie™ to commiserate, and I pulled out the Christmas dishes, replacing the fall serving pieces with Christmas trees and holly, pine cones and ribbons, scattered across dishes and serving pieces, bowls and cups.  I thought perhaps that might help improve my mood.  If I remember correctly, it may have, but only slightly.  No matter how many Christmas bowls, plates, cups, coffee mugs, serving trays and platters I carefully arranged in the kitchen drawers, Donald Trump was--and still is--President.  The Republicans owned the House and the Senate.

Please consider this story when you head for the polls on November 3, 2026.  

It's been too nice a fall to turn over the house so soon.

In other words, don't make me get out the Christmas dishes on November 4.

Please and thank you.