Something Wicked This Way Comes

Okay, my title is a bit extreme. I don't know that anything wicked is coming. (Couldn't resist the R.B. reference.) I just know things are gearing up early.

It started with my cemetery project- I wanted to wait until the weather was cool. But the dead wanted me to explore NOW. Never mind Halloween, venture out now!

Then the Christmas Count-down Crunch kicked in. I hate Christmas. Hate it. I hate the excess, the greed, the commercialism, spend, spend, spend, buy, buy, buy, the overly rich food, decorations put up months in advance (I don't want to see reindeer in October.), people whining about religion, politics, money, stress (most self-induced)...I hate Christmas.

Every year, I give serious thought to my limits. I just refuse to go broke. December is a tough month for me anyway because the truck insurance is due, it's cold so I use more propane, it's dark so I use more electricity, people pop in and out so that's more food, I usually end up driving miles and miles out of my way so more gas, and often whatever company I work for closes for the holidays so less money. I'm not buying a ton of useless gifts for people I rarely see. Each year, I vow to make as many gifts as I can. Each year, I run out of time.

I always start around Mabon. This year, another urge has kicked in- the desire to finish projects. I'm not sure what I'm gearing up for. I just have a strong desire to have all affairs in order. It started with the plastic canvas. I have lots of odds and ends. I now use a finer canvas. I don't like the 10 count anymore, but I still have plenty of pieces. I decided some of these could become boxes. And maybe my boxes could become Christmas gifts. Then I realized it was August. August. I have never thought about Christmas this early.

All my year-end projects are kicking in early. Around Halloween, I started clearing the house. I trade books, I mend things, I make repairs, I restock, I prepare for winter. All the past week, there has been a voice at the back of mind telling me to go through my books. A similar voice is telling me to look over my clothes, I have much to replace.

The strongest urge is to clear out the sewing room. I'm thinking about selling one of my sewing machines. I also thought about selling fabric because I have more than I can use in three lifetimes. I have never considered these things before.

Something is different.