With her list in hand, we went.
Her pace was slow but steady.
Annie knew what she wanted, which made it simple.
I calculated the time we left after the rush hour and would return home before noon. That was the goal.
We went to a one-stop shop…. easy in, easy out.
Annie notices everything:
The fashion tendencies, the "it" color of the season, how people are dressed, little children, prices, her energy level, what building has been renovated, how the village hung the Christmas lights, if there is gum on the ground…
Her wit, attention to detail, desire for life, and her entire way of being fascinate me.
We walked arm in arm.
Annie recently bought a cane. Not because she needs one but because it gives her security; she said, "I walk faster when I am holding on to something."
Since she had my arm, she left her cane.
Annie asked why I wasn't buying anything. I told her that we were not exchanging gifts as we were going away for Christmas. "The cruise is the gift."
It will be the first time in years that I won't prepare Christmas dinner, and the idea was refreshing. No Christmas list, crowds, wrapping, shopping, or dishes. I hoped it became a new tradition.
(Last year's Sainte Barbe.)
The only Christmas traditions I have followed this year are putting up the tree, setting up the nativity, planting the Saint Barbe, and taking Annie Christmas shopping.
Sainte Barbe
On December 4th, the feast of Sainte Barbe, the first Provençal Christmas tradition, takes place in France.
Growing wheat.
First, you find a plate or box, or something that is waterproof, to place your wheat grains to grow. Then, moisten cotton on the bottom of your container or object of choice. Next, you thickly scatter grains of wheat on the moistened cotton. You can use moss to scatter your grains, which seems chic! I have traditionally used cotton. Every other day you will need to wet the cotton holding the grains until you see they're full-grown. Also, the grains need to be by indirect sunlight.
The outcome of the wheat is said to be a symbol of the harvest to come. If the grains germinate and sprout beautifully, it is said that the harvest will be bountiful. If the grain shoots are immature and yellow, poor harvests are predicted! If nothing happens well, maybe you overwatered it, or didn't have it close to a source of light, or your grains were old; nevertheless, it isn't a good sign as far as symbols are concerned. It is also said that the growth of the shoots predicts your good fortune for the year to come.
The sprouting grains of wheat are used to decorate the table at Christmas or the creche (nativity scene.) You can see plates of growing wheat in shops, homes, and schools; everyone has a mini wheat field growing, even the post office.
Annie used to take hers and plants it in a nearby wheat field, and she said that is also part of the tradition.
What Christmas traditions are you following or breaking?
With Annie on one arm and her packages on the other, we walked out of the shop, surprised to feel how warm it was outside. Annie slept on the way home.
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