I wasn’t paying attention, and the holidays took me by surprise. As a result, I’m spending Christmas Eve alone for the first time in over forty years. I decided I’d talk to some old friends back east, drink some eggnog and watch a movie.

The eggnog was alcoholic, both old friends are dealing with cancer. The movie I chose was Barbie, and I watched maybe a third of it before I decided I was bored.

A neighbor brought some Christmas cookies. I ate them. In atonement, Tuesday I’ll head back to the gym.

Lee has been gone over three years now. In general, life these days is good. I like living alone. I also get lonely. One bored evening, I signed up with an internet dating site.

It’s been a revelation.

2024 is promising to be interesting, indeed.

Here’s a picture of Lee and me at a Woodstock anniversary party in 1989.