December

How would you rate December?

Scale of 1 to 10, with 10 the best.

For me?

December is dark, cold, and stressful.

I have never enjoyed Christmas, not even as a wild child.

Christmas eve was a zoo, at Mom’s, fueled by booze, kids, food and presents.

It was overwhelming for me.

My thought:

Is this what Christmas is all about?

I grew anxious, disappointed and lonely, supposedly in the happiest time of the year.

Now, many years later, I have the same feelings.

I am not fond of Christmas movies, music or decorations.

Gifting becomes more difficult each year:  The things we really need can not be wrapped.

When someone asks:  What do you want for Christmas, I say:  Time, with you:

Perhaps over an egg nog, a few snacks and warm conversation.

My rating for December?  10.

Surprised?

I believe our life is a reflection of the four seasons, from birth to death.

Our yearly journey teaches us that all seasons have their purpose.

To embrace those differences is to fulfill our lives.

A closing thought:

God is day and night, winter and summer, war and peace, surfeit and hunger.

Heraclitus

Wolf

17 Hail Marys

Remembering confession as a kid: ” Your penance: 17 hail marys, and try to behave this coming week.”

Yup, it is day 17 of the end of the world as we once knew it.

On a positive note, we are on the 17th day of a new way of life; one that is a challenge for those of us who are flying squirrels who feed off the nuts of society.

I am in a constant state of flux: Don’t go out. Do your part. Stay home, and then? Get the heck outside. Discover the world. Drive to a new destination.

Yesterday, the driving to a new destination didn’t work out so well. Shhhhhh. Quiet: Between us kids, I got lost again. But on a positive note, I did not get out of the car. So technically, I got out of the house, got lost, and came home so damn exhausted that I rested my eyes watching David Muir on the ABC News. OK, so I kept one eye open, for my favorite eye candy. He lights up my life.

Saw Meg and Kait again when I picked up supper. I love those 2 girls. They also light up my life, every time I see them.

Actually, I had a wonderful day yesterday, driving around, looking at the flowering trees and green grass. Ah ! Spring! My favorite season. Reminds me of one of my favorite songs: Morning has Broken. “Praise with elation, praise every morning; God’s recreation of the new day.”

So, for those of us who thrive on positivity, I hope you will find joy this spring, embracing life and nature, as it blossoms.

As long as we are still alive on this planet, take in the wonders of this temporary existence, to find peace, love and purpose.

Above all, take care of yourself, so that you and others may be healthy.

Wolf

Finally! Snow!!

Brrrrrr.

However, the Breakfast Club must go on.

Ooops, where is everyone?

No one showed up.

Snow in the forecast.

Might as well have breakfast by myself.

Just then, Diane showed up.

We had pancakes and yakked for about an hour.

At 10am, here comes the snow, swirling, dancing and blowing across the roads.

Folks around these here parts are panicky.

After all, this is Pennsylvania, where the flakes make all these die hard pioneers flakey.

Even the bars may close.

Now that is Un- American.

Not to be a know it all, but back in Minnesota, this little blast of winter is far from daunting.

It takes at least a foot or two of snow to stop the Scandinavians. You betcha!

As I munch on chocolate covered pretzels, I am admiring the silent snow, thinking about Conrad Aiken’s “Silent Snow Secret Snow”.

Leaving now, with these thoughts from Mary Oliver:

Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”

Wolf

To everything there is a season.

How do you know when winter has arrived?
For me, it was this morning. The car was full of icy pellets.
Time to get out the goofy hats, the leggings and the sweaters.
I really have become a warm weather freak, asking this question every day:  “Is it spring yet?”
Although I think about moving south, it probably won’t happen.
The 4 seasons somehow create a comforting cycle for me, as the years pass by.
The first snow fall is captivating.
Seeing a robin in the spring makes me happy.
Hanging out on the deck in the hot summer evenings, relaxes me.
The autumn colors are spectacular.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
It asks nothing, other than sharing a meal with family, friends or strangers.
And for those going to grandma’s house, in a horse drawn sleigh, I hope there is a soft blanket of snow for you.

Have a good night.
Keep warm!

Wolf