Bits of Thursday

Today (or yesterday, since midnight has now passed) was a good day: A day when I spend time with my son is a good day. A day where we travel together and eat together is even better. We had lunch, then went to visit his aunt, and then I took him to the train, as he heads back into his life in Dublin. As we drove, we spoke of his memories of childhood Christmasses. I realised that my memories were reinforced throughout my childhood in the conversations my siblings and I would have about Christmas... "Remember the time... What about the gift you got..." Being an only child, my son's memories had already begun to slide away. We hauled some of them back from the brink, dusted them off. Laughed .... Phew!

I caught up with an old friend. We had an impromptu dinner together, and it was good. The timing was right. I got to be there just when she needed a visit. I found her at home just when I wanted to see her. ... And she gave me a late Christmas gift of a voucher for something I'd just put on my mental "Must Have this year" list - a seaweed bath! Hurrah for synchronicity!

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I got to spend a little time in the town I lived in for 16 years, exploring new shopping areas, checking out a snazzy coffee-spot (good hot chocolate too). I had a bit of a book-shopping spree, and was especially glad to find Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain workbook. - Might kick-start me to exploring drawing again. I enjoyed following the book for a while a few years ago, but came to a full stop when it came to perspective. Maybe the workbook will help. I'd like to do some drawing this year, and to get over that barrier. While I don't think I'll be up to being Creative every day, I'd like to think I might do something every week this year. I'm excited at what is happening over at Leah's blog, though. Her lovely list of possible creative activities includes such things as colouring in a book, re-ordering a bookshelf, or making hot chocolate. Looking at it that way, I suppose I am creative every day.

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I've been participating in a poetry postcard project since September, sending and receiving poems (Yes, on postcards!) and getting quite a kick from finding these little treasures among my mail. So far, I've received 10 cards and sent out 11. When I made my hot-chocolate-stop today, I had no reading material with me, and no notebook! but I did have a few postcards in my bag, so I wrote 3 poems to send off to the next people on the list. I think people can join in at any time, as it's a Perennial Postcard project. Wanna join in?...

Driving home, I met the first snow of the winter. And some freezing fog. I drove slowly, with Christmas music playing. I loved it. Everywhere looks magical in the snow. I hope it's still around tomorrow when I wake up. I want to take photos. I want to go out wearing my (fake) fur hat. I want to build a snowman.

The Light Returns

Solstice has always fascinated me. Perhaps because my father's birthday is at the summer solstice, I've been aware since I was very young that the days get longer, and then shorter, and then longer again, and the points in the year at which the changes occur have always seemed magical and special to me.

When I was around 10 years old, I spotted a newspaper article about excavations on an ancient Irish monument which predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, and the discovery that it had special significance at the winter solstice. So fascinated was I that I created a special scrap-book for any information I could gather about Newgrange. Strangely, I've never been there yet, but hope to some day be present for this event. (You'll need to choose to look at the archive, and the piece is 60 minutes long, but the first 5 minutes will let you see what it's about!)

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This is my greeting to all of my BlogLand friends for the Holiday season - whatever way you may celebrate.

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Let the return of the light bring blessings and joy to you and to yours. Let it bring ease and comfort. Let it be a reminder that we are living amidst cycles within cycles, and that the shadow comes with the light, the light with the shadow. Let your heart be peaceful, and your soul joyful.

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I will be away for a week, visiting my family, but I look forward to meeting you all again as 2008 approaches.

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Namaste, my friends.

'tis the season!

This week, Sunday Scribblings' prompt is "Dance". Well,

Because it IS that season, here's a little funny for you:


The Elf Dance


I'll spare you the version with my two sisters! I've been laughing all day!

This is why i've no shopping done, and why my tree is not only not yet decorated... It hasn't been bought yet. OK. There's always tomorrow!

Well, there you go. I don't just talk about it! I've done it! In cyberspace! Dressed as an elf!

If any of you get Elfin, drop by and let me know! Please!

It's Christmas

Yes, I finally found a tree. After it sat sadly in my living room for 2 days, I found two friends to help me decorate it. Now it is twinkling and happy. Yes, I bought all my gifts, and wrote and posted all my cards. Yes, I am going to have a lovely Christmas, and I wish all of you every good thing for Christmas, and for 2007. I'll be with my family, and will check back in early in the New Year. Blessings to all.