In Search of Christmas Joy...

-
Thunderbird
    ...Vibrant blue skies filled with fluffy clouds, orange golden sunlight pouring through naked trees, these were the conditions of the day that said anything but Christmas time in the Magic City.  It was early December and we had only a whisper of snow over the area.  The golden sunlight made me want to play outside, but it was cold, in the 40's, and there was no one to play with anyway.  Quiet holiday music floated on the air from my radio as I began remembering Christmases past.  I should be out there taking photos, but the light would fade into evening before I could get anywhere interesting to capture on camera.  It is that hour of frustration that makes me crazy as I struggle with restlessness before dark.  For the photographer in me, light and color can be so distracting at times.       
       The approaching holidays have left me a bit numb as I am yet to do any seasonal decorating.  As of yet it has not snowed in the Magic City.  Today is gray, I mean really gray.  Outdoor photography is pointless for the moment.  As an old friend once called it, I am suffering from PMS...Poor Me Sad.  Things are just that, passed.  While it is good to remember the happy times, it is still time to move on.  One life lesson I have learned is that every so often one must re-invent one's self.  Just what is it that I want to make the holidays worth celebrating?  As a Christian I of course celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Reading the accounts of His birth in the Bible refreshes my appreciation of what God did for all of humanity when he sent His son to us.  Meditating on that truly unique gift warms me and fills me with joy.  There...I think I hit on something.  The external things don't really make the holiday celebrations worth much. They are simply traditions.  But those change over the years.  Celebrating the birth of the Christ child doesn't change.  God and His son are the only real constants in our lives.  So, what do I want foe the holidays?  I want the joy of the Lord for everyone and for this nation to return to a genuine love of God.  Already I feel a bit happier in spite of the gray day.  And I am working on re-inventing some of those traditions from Christmas Past...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winds of spring...

-
Image
    ...Small tender blades of chive were poking their sturdy heads up in the pot I had left outside all winter.  Reluctantly spring was about to see the first of my herbs come to life after such a strange winter.  The bitter cold hadn't fazed them as they began to grow.  It was time.  I have even seen a dandelion hiding under the gray-green grass tufts that were beginning to green up. Le Petit Jardin was letting me know that it was time for spring attention.  A friend had already helped me by drilling some drainage holes in a metal container that I have planned to use for spring planting.  Hadn't it just snowed a few days ago?  But the good news is that nothing stuck or stacked up.  The ground had unfrozen, so snow was not going to make a difference.  Today was warmer, in the 50's, but gray.  I am still not quite ready to begin my gardening rituals.  My thymes and lavender have not returned to life yet.  I will have to rethink my gardening plans since my downstairs neighbor
Read more

Clancey's Gift...

-
Image
    ...The air was warm and inviting.  Colors of gold and orange blazoned everywhere.  Loading up all the essential equipment to help me to immerse myself into the hiking experience, I set out for Silver Creek Park.  It was a trail I had not walked in many years.  Too many of my hiking friends now no longer could make the trek, but I was determined to experience that trail  more time.  For the first time in years I dug out my walking staff to help me along the way.  Strapping my fanny pack around my middle I now had some inspirational music to listen to as I walked along taking in all the sensory experiences of the trail.  The sun was bright, the air was clear.  It was peak weekend for the fall foliage and there were many families taking advantage of this season of leaf peeping.      Armed with my trusty camera I walked with a slower pace than others around me as I stopped frequently to capture the various sights along the way.  Wild asters were still b
Read more

Sacred Space and the Wooly Bear Caterpiller...

-
Image
    ...Stepping into October, I have been outdoors as much as weather will permit.  This weekend has been absolutely gorgeous with cool temps and warm sun, breezy with lots of blue skies with playful clouds that provide plenty of room for the imagination to make fun creations from the fluffy forms.  I love Ohio in the fall.  How did I spend the weekend?  Art shows and outdoor festivals were my cup of tea.  To no avail I tried to get various friends to join me.  Don't they get it, it's time to play outside before the cold and wet and snows drive everyone inside for the winter.       I saw a wooly bear caterpillar in my garden by the walkway.  For those who know how to read their wooly bears, the body was tipped with black while the main center body was reddish brown.  So goes the 2012 winter prognostication!        My best reward of the day was when I noticed a little spot in my side garden that would make a wonderful sacred spot.  I don't know why I hadn't thought
Read more