Christmas 2013

We have had a wonderful Christmas. The best part is having all the kids here . Now, the boxes are put out because it is Boxing Day and I am going hunting. Sarah and Kevin are going to visit friends, Will is playing basketball with high school buddies and Sam and Steph are, hopefully, enjoying time off work! Mike did go to work, oh well! I saw a beautiful red fox this morning in the back pasture, which is always a welcome sight. ( I know I am not just feeding raccoons!). It is cold and by tonight frosty again. Mike tried to use his new telescope last night but starting with the moon might be easiest, hopefully it will rise earlier tonight.  There were lots of stars but it was really cold -numb fingers! Happy Boxing Day , Happy Hunting to my fox hunting friends  and Happy New Year to everyone !

spreading Christmas joy to all.....

The most wonderful time of the year.....yes, for most of us it a wonderful, joyous, love-filled celebration. The kids are coming into town today !!! I am so excited to see them. I was up early and  placing the gifts around the tree. I know the brightly wrapped boxes are not the real meaning of Christmas but it is a " real" pleasure to think of little things to bring smiles to my family. I love trying to find or make a unique gift  that has some significance to their lives. We are all " the three kings" bearing gifts to our cherish ones.   Perhaps it is my way of honoring the holy spirit to gather family under one roof for a couple of days and tell them how special they are to me with a thoughtful expression of my love. Yes, the real meaning of Christmas is the gathering and exchange of love. The Spirit that binds family together and makes us cherish this time of year is hopefully carried through to all parts of our lives. We can make it real by the change dropped into the Salvation Army pots, by the smiles to strangers and the patience given to hassled store clerks. By the extra pats to the dogs and horses in my life. It is the softening that lets me bring the barn cat into the basement because he is lonely outside. It is the chicken scraps I give to the foxes I feed behind the woods ( or raccoons!). It is the stockings filled and given to adult children who secretly still love them!! It is the donations given to charities, the thanks and silent prayers sent overseas to troops who miss their families. The Spirit of Christmas Love is everywhere and it is what makes this such a special time of year. Let us remember the less fortunate and do what we can to make all it special for everyone. Happy Holidays to all my friends and family.

there will be a brighter star in the heavens....

We may never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again in our lifetimes. This morning I heard a quote from him which was " Difficult times can break some men and make others." His whole life was an example of how to face adversity and stay true to yourself, without hatred or condemnation.  What I remember most about Mandela, other than all the  history we know, is his smile. He beams in his pictures and his joy for life is evident. He was the master of his soul! At this Christmas time I urge everyone to honor Mandela's memory by doing something wonderful for someone else. You remember the bumper sticker of past that said, "Random Acts of Beauty and Forgiveness", well, in his memory I want to make someone else smile today and hope they try to pass it on. We can all "play it forward" this season and keep his joy and kindness alive.  May we all
find peace and joy.