cancelling Christmas

I am still sick. It's a little bit insane. I have spent the last week literally unable to summon the energy to do anything more strenuous than lying on the sofa in the den (now, literally, a den like a fox's, all comfy-cosy with a blanket fort burrowed by yours truly). I think I am a bit better today, but am taking it slowly — I thought I was better last week, too, and tried to go about my normal activites (like work), and ... let's just say that it didn't turn out well.


As such, I'm not doing Christmas cards this year. I kept thinking I was going to be able to — but I've lost two weekends to this dratted flu, and I don't foresee having the time to do them in time for the Christmas mail. I firmly believe in doing things properly if they're to be done at all, and at this late date, there's simply no time — there's still quite a bit of calligraphy and other finishing left to do. So: I beg my friends' indulgence, but for now, no fancy-pants Christmas cards this year.

Honestly, I would cancel Christmas in its entirely, if I could. I am suffering from an acute lack of imagination right now: I can't see myself having the energy to deal with it all, despite its being a fortnight away. Luckily, we made the decision early this year to do very few gifts, so the shopping is almost entirely done and not at all stressful. I wish I could say the same thing about the Christmas knitting, though. I have been knitting this:


My garter-stitch blanket, which is lovely and comfy and cosy, but isn't Christmas knitting. I have not felt up to the tiny needles and complex cables — which is a problem, because now I have just over a week to finish off a mitten knit on 2.25mm needles, and I am not entirely convinced that I'm capable of it. Which I guess makes this traditional Christmas knitting, after all.