Book of Comfort

This leatherbound book with

gold leafed pages and a brass

clasp was purchased at a thrift

store for less than a dollar.

It was unwanted and unappreciated.

I found it, bought it and consider

it a priceless treasure.

It has a date of 1857 inside, published in Belfast. It is called "Garden of the Soul" a book for Catholics, which I'm not.

It doesn't matter. It is beautiful, and gardening is my soulish passion?

Being one of many who have held it, is a privilege.

It might have experienced first hand 'The Troubles' in Ireland, immigration, the stress of navigating Ellis Island or possibly the perils of a hard and lonely pioneer life.

I imagine it brought comfort to the hearts and hands of those who held it close.

Pinecone Halleluah

Gathering

free things

from nature,

then creating

something

beautiful to

enjoy,

is my way

of shouting hallelujah

Candlelight

Even when we've been broke,

we have spent money on candles and books.

They both illuminate.

"When the darkness overcomes you my child, light a candle"

(From a book on Haiti, which I've never been able to trace, to give credit to the insightful author)

Snowflake

Snowflakes are interesting to me no matter if they are made from glass, paper or real ice crystals.

Each one is unique.

Snowflake Bentley spent his life

capturing them. It was his life's work and passion.

I would be persuaded to believe in a loving creative Creator if only for the curious and intricate artistry of snowflakes. They entrance me, taking me to a place of instant devotion and worship. They also leave me overcome with the essence of pure love.

Home

Our home is called Cala Sona. It is Gaelic for Haven of Happiness.

I copied it from the name of my favorite B&B in the Scottish Highlands. Arthur, our 80 year old host, gave me permission to use it.

It is NOT happy every minute of every day of the week, month and year. Our family is too real for that fantasy. Our many shadows lurk on the outside for all to see.

But it is it's name, so we come back to remembering what we hope it will be and what it needs to be and what we all want it to be ~ A haven where it's safe to be. A shelter. A harbor. A hideaway. A loving place. A happy place. A forgiving place. A graceful place. Home.

The handmade wrought iron knocker on the door was Craig's first blacksmithing project. It reminds me to knock, seek, ask and find the goodness inside.

Grandma Pearl

These mittens were copied from Grandma Pearl's felt needle case. I have this treasure in my sewing box.

Her donuts were legendary. They were plain and homely, deep fried without being greasy; none of her offspring can replicate them even with the recipe. Dunking them in hot coffee was bliss.

Craig made thin, tender lefse last Saturday which she would have been proud of, but her donuts have no equal. I miss her.

When our Candyman Can't

The love seat on the porch is playing dress up.

I always want the front door to be welcoming and inviting.

It feels good when someone knocks on the front door of our house. Like a present......

Presents. We decided not to get each other obligatory presents this year. Even though we have always kept it simple under the tree, many times it falls flat and tastes flat afterwards. Each one of us expressed a feeling of fullness inside; no material object would make any of us feel more loved. When each of us said this in different words, tears filled my eyes. This is the real gift. Satisfied gratefulness. Recognized blessing. No empty holes needing filled. Only satiated fullness.

It hasn't always been this way and probably won't be this way later, but it is a gift right now, 'for such a time as this'.

There is nothing under the tree, wrapped or unwrapped. We did have fun decorating every inch of the house. We have enjoyed a few visitors. A wonderful supper. When Craig gets home on Christmas day from the hospital, we'll try to celebrate a meal together. A ham dinner.

Craig's new knee is a present for all of us this year. He is enduring unbelievable levels of pain, like his body is saying - ENOUGH!

Taking good care of him while he recovers is our gift to him. He is the kind of man who is easy to love because of what he does for all of us girls. Yet, I want him to feel loved for who he is. Selfishly, we will miss all of the ways he cares for us. There will be a gap, a hole. Our life will be handicapped while he rehabs and gets back to normal. We will lose our handy man and candy man for a while. For him, love is an action word. I hope we can reciprocate in the same way.

This will be a caregiving Christmas, the best kind of giving; caring for our candy man.

This isn't about Willy Wonka, it must have been written about Craig:

Who can take a sunrise

Sprinkle it with dew

Cover it in chocolate

And a miracle or two?

The candyman can

Cause he mixes it with love

And makes the world taste good

The candyman makes

Everything he bakes

Satisfying and delicious

Talk about your childhood wishes

You can even eat the dishes

Who can take tomorrow

Dip it in a dream

Separate the sorrow

And collect up all the cream?

The candyman can cause he mixes it with love

And makes the world taste good

And the world tastes good cause the candyman

Thinks it should

Unlikely Ballerina

This is my favorite Christmas ornament. She makes me smile.

She dances anyways.

She dances in spite of herself.

She dances because she must.

She dances because she was born to dance.

She dances for an audience of one.

She dances to the music inside.

She dances to stay alive.

She dances in the dark.

She dances with tears.

She dances with angel's laughing.

She dances when it hurts.

She dances for joy.

She dances no matter what.

She dances to become real.

She dances alone.

She dances without applause.

She dances above ground.

She dances to feel.

Gulps of Gumption

Tessa had the day off. We curled up in bed for a tri-movie day yesterday. White Christmas, Nativity Story and The Holiday. We alternately laughed and cried. Girl stuff.

Two dogs curled up with us, endless cups of coffee then a long walk with the dogs for intermission. A perfect snow day, inhaling great gulps of gumption with every step and every frame.

'Wintersong' is the music offering for today. Simple and pure.

Flight Plan

The innocent seeming sky marshall in the movie 'Flight Plan' almost gets away with it. Almost.

The captain and everyone else is bamboozled by him. He's an official after all.

Lord save us from these dudes in our lives, forgive them. Help us forgive them. Help us know in our knower what is true.

There is a heart marked with indelible ink on the window of our souls. Proof. Truth.