Christmas Memories

Hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner again. Today is my birthday, not quite my eleventy-first like Bilbo's, but old enough to have a lot to look back on. Don't think I'm cut out for blogging. I find it more satisfying to pick up a pen and write thoughts down in a journal. A computer screen hasn't the same feel. It's the same with reading, more so really. I prefer holding a book in my hands to reading from a screen, perhaps because I can't relax with a cup of tea anywhere near my keyboard. In journalism school, having a drink near the computer was absolutely forbidden on pain of death (almost!!) Ironically,when I worked at a newspaper for a brief stint, everyone had coffee cups at their desks. Unbelievably vile machine-produced coffee is a vivid memory from that job.

This November and December our climate has been wildly erratic, with snow one day and rain the next, from -12celsius to +13celsius in 24 hours, freezing rain, wild winds, a bit of everything. The forecast for today included possible thunder & lightning, in December yet!!! Hoping for a few decent days in order to travel safely and finish my very modest Christmas shopping.

Got a bread machine for a birthday present and look forward to trying it out as soon as I get the right kind of flour. Keeping fresh bread when the stores only get delivery once a week here on the island is always a challenge. I liked making bread by hand, but kneading dough gets difficult with arthritis stiffening up the fingers, so this will be fun. The smell of bread baking is one of the homeliest, most comforting there is I think.

I feel a deep sympathy for the families of the three soldiers we just lost, beginning the long walk of grieving at a time when most people are celebrating. The empty chair, the absent loved one, is especially felt when the family gets together for celebrations. This will be the ninth Christmas since we lost my son Jamie and there are few moments of the holiday when his memory isn't held close. This time with the ones we love who are still with us is a precious gift. Hoping all who grieve find moments of beauty in the music, lights and children's laughter as we journey on through this Christmas season.

Musings after Christmas

Today finds me enjoying the Christmas vacation down time, no school buses to watch for or 6 a.m alarm, lovely to be lazy for a while. My son is having fun blasting at monsters or aliens, whatever, in the much coveted Unreal Tournament Sony game that topped his Christmas wish list. I've been out to pick up the mail - we're lucky enough to have our own mailbox - Dad's gift still hasn't come, and I'm expecting a card from an old friend in England not heard from yet this year. The wind is icy today, though it's only around zero (celsius) it feels a lot colder. More snow on the way if the the weather report is right, and the grey skies suggest it is, just looked out the window and flurries are starting to come down.

Yesterday at my sister's place, five deer spent a good part of the day grazing between the woods and her bedroom windows, pretty much at home there. She enjoys them now, not so much when gardening time comes around. Here at my place, there are what you could call physical signs deer have been hanging around under the bird feeder on the apple tree, but it's been when it was too dark to see them.

We had a peaceful Christmas, much enhanced by being able to gather around the fireplace at my sister's home after a very nice dinner. There is something enchanting about curling up in front of a wood fire and watching the flames dance. To keep my mood peaceful, I tend not to watch the news for a few days - usually avoid it on Christmas and Boxing Day, helps a lot.

Today I was saddened and angered by the news that Benazir Bhutto's enemies have managed to eliminate the woman who offered some hope for a democratic future for Pakistan. Not a good omen for the future, and a sad loss for her family. Having been active in Amnesty International in the past, I've met many leaders who fight for their people and I admire their courage. May she go in peace.