Creating Beauty

 

This was day 12. The picture in no way does it justice. The butterflies are gold and beige and lavender and the flowers are also butterflies and tulips. And to the side are my family's signatures. The signing started in Philadelphia, crossed the country to Talent Oregon and finally landed on my table in Tahoe City for me to love and admire. A beautiful creation from some unknown artist that will grace my shelf and my life for a long time.

This is day 14, started on almost upon opening, still unfinished but eagerly awaiting today's application. I had already been thinking it was time to get out my pens and coloring books again. Dean had even thought about getting me another one. Suddenly it all came together. Dean and Taylor created a lovely window of shelves in the solarium on which I can put things I want to have at hand - like my book of mandalas and my pens - and then there was the mandala, not too early in the process nor too late. Just right for listening to carols and coloring.

Whether we create it ourselves or recognize the beauty created by others, beauty helps sustain and grace us wherever we find it. Blessings, dear friends. 

The Third Sunday in Advent

 

Joy! Quite a reminder during travel restrictions and Shelter in Place (SIP) orders. On the other hand, the first rounds of vaccines are being delivered and applied today. 

Interesting that the gift from my family to be opened today was broken. Another reminder that even in the midst of holiday celebrations, there are those who feel broken, depressed, lonely, and frightened. And yet there he is, that tiny baby, harbinger of hope. Joyful anticipation. 

May we hold Joy close to our hearts and be tolerant and caring and gentle with each other these days. 

Day 8 ~ Another Special Gift

 

This was my gift yesterday and it is not just a book picked off the shelf that they thought mom might like. Meredith proofread this book. Did you know Meredith was a professional proofreader? She sort of slips that one in among her other jobs. That fact makes this book all the more special.

I told them it may be a while before I read it as right now I am reading all sorts of Christmas stories. Meredith reminded me that these gifts were mean to get me through winter so there was no rush. And then after our conversation, I picked up the book and started to read. Of course I did! After a few pages, which told me I was going to like the book, I put it down, reminded myself of what Meredith said and went back to my Christmas stories. 

Memories came flooding back of so many Christmas afternoons and evenings when I snuggled down on the couch and started to read one of the several new books I had been given for Christmas. For a number of years in my late 20s and early 30s, they were Agatha Christie's until I had collected almost all of hers. 

I love my Kindle and buying books for myself and there is something really wonderful about opening the gift of a book given by folks who know and love me and starting to read a new adventure. 

Blessings, my friends. 

A Galaxy in my Pocket

 

Day 7 of my winter of gifts was contributed by granddaughter Trinity. She painted this tiny little canvas and put every star in by hand. She trims down an individual hair from a paint brush. Evidently you can buy this little easel and canvas at Walmart. The reality is about the size of the picture. I have put it on my table where I can see it most of the time. When Christmas decorations are down, there is a special place on  the mantle for it to reside and I will be able to see it at a glance up from my computer. 

I'm in awe ~ both of her talent and of the magnificence of the star lit sky. Advent is a nice time to have a feeling of awe ~ to be aware of our smallness but also of our magnificence within the scope of creation. 

Blessings today, my friends.

Days Five and Six of Winter

 

Day 5 is a beautiful winter themed mask. Out here I can probably wear it through March as there is no specific reference to a season. This may be the most comfortable mask I have and Meredith is going to send me the link to buy another as it looks like we will be masked for quite a while.

A FB question posted by a friend asked, "Will you wear a mask for the 100 days President Elect Biden is suggesting?" My answer: for as long as is necessary. I've been wearing a mask for months now. I think I can continue for more months. Much better a mask than a ventilator.

Day Six was a beautiful handmade snowflake, crocheted by Michelle. I have a number of smaller ones she made years ago that have hung on my tree for years. This one is larger and I call it my snowflake star. The top picture shows it up close, the bottom how it fits into the nativity that sits on our table. The tree is outside in our neighbor's yard. It fits right in, doesn't it? 

Once again the conversation is so important. It only takes as long as we want it to and is meaningful and deep even when we giggle and laugh and are silly.

Maybe I should tell you that this nativity was bought in the early 60's when the Civil Rights movement was just underway. It was carved in an artists collective by blacks in the South who finally said, we refuse to work for 25 cents a day. They set up this collective and made honest money from their artistic labors. I no longer remember in what state or how we knew to buy it. I only know we bought it as a way of supporting a cause we believed in. It has graced Christmas all these years.

Blessings during our Advent and Winter journey together. 

The Second Sunday in Advent

 

Finding the Quiet. Even during isolation and quarantine, there seems to be a lot going on, especially in our heads. Lots of thinking, wondering, worrying and just caring deeply about what is happening and if there is anything we can do about it. How in the midst of all this do we find quiet, peace, a time just to be?

I do meditate and sometimes that is just not possible. I know there are people for whom this is difficult. I also find that just a moment or two of quiet is very helpful. For instance, I'll be sitting on my bed, tying a shoe and I will just stop. Just stop. Sit very still and look out the window and breathe. I don't stay like that long. The other shoe needs to be tied and I need to get up and move ~ and for a moment there has been a quiet stillness in my soul. 

I tie the other shoe, or get up to start my day, just a little more centered, a little more grounded, a little more aware of the Divine.

We must find our quiet when and where we can and sometimes it is only a moment while tying a shoe. 

Days Three and Four of Winter

 On the third day of Winter, my family gave me . . . fudge. Oh yum!! 

 

Meredith's recipe. Michelle's cooking. Dark chocolate pecan fudge. Dean and I both went a little crazy. I cut us a small piece for dessert and he came back later looking like Oliver with his bowl of gruel: please, I need more. Heheheheh. It really is good. And so simple that I will make it soon. 

And on the 4th day of Winter, my family gave me . . . cookies: ginger and lemon with icing.

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I haven't tried the ginger yet. The lemon is wonderful. And best of all on any day is the conversation that goes with the unwrapping. Today, Meredith and David arrived home during our visit and David showed me around their Christmas decorations. These chats don't last long and they are precious and so special as we take just a moment each day to see each other and catch up briefly. The cookies and fudge will be eaten. Other gifts will be enjoyed for perhaps a longer time. And best of all will be the memories of moments together. Sometimes technology is a gift too.