I had my little back procedure a couple of days ago and I’m still sore. So the doctor has prescribed some pain pills.

They make me feel all comfy and affectionate. Puts me in a mood to write loving Christmas letters.

If only my brain were as keen as my emotions. There’s no telling what I’d write in those letters…and sorely regret it later. Something like: “I miss so much. Why don’t you come and stay with us for the next six months so we can really get reacquainted?”

Bruce is back at work so I thought I’d take a swipe at cooking my own breakfast. It took me about an hour to throw together a few ingredients and saute them. The results were truly pitiful. Sauted lettuce is not good. Not good at all. Even when cooked with black beans and red and green peppers and onions.

I gave up on breakfast and tried to resume some piano practice on a Brahms Rhapsody I’ve been slowly memorizing. This piece has lots of jumping octaves. I think I hit about 20% of the notes accurately this morning.

It’s simply hopeless.

I have a choice between not taking pain pills, being in pain while maybe getting a few things done around the house. Or taking that pill, feeling good, reflecting on the past year, writing down my to-do list (for when I feel more mentally normal), and finishing reading a really good novel I’m half-done with.

I feel a little guilty, I’ve opted to pop another pill and retreat to the couch with my excellent book. I’ll also try to outline my next book project.

Maybe in this slightly altered state of consciousness, I’ll produce some work of genius on my lap-top.

Right.

Since my brain is not working very well, and this being about two weeks away from Christmas, I’d like the Words of the Lord concerning His birth account to greet you this morning:

(Luke 1: verses 1-4, NIV Bible)

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.'”