a thought and an idea

It's Candlemas, or the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. From Christmas Day to February 2 is forty days. Just like the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert, like Elijah's trek of forty days to Mount Horeb, like Jesus praying and fasting in the desert for forty days, and the forty days from the resurrection of the Lord till his ascension, the number means something. It's the most important thing that ever happened on the earth and I'm never in a hurry to "put Christmas away", so I slowly undecorate, as I slowly decorated the house from the start of Advent up to Christmas Day.

In November the woman I buy my ground beef from sent an invitation to come to her house; during a weekend before Thanksgiving she sells crafts made throughout the year by herself and her family, some jams, and pickles. You can sit at her kitchen table and have homemade rolls and chili and brownies. She's been doing this for many years and always gets a crowd; she says she doesn't care if she sells anything, she just enjoys doing it and having this nice get-together. I bought the above wooden candy canes there, and have meant to post about this since the season began.

What a nice idea for any neighborhood! So I thought I'd share it.

a rare moment

with the two females on the windowsill, and nobody bothering anybody (i.e., Sweetie not bothering Dolly).  Ahh, peace.

bright salad

At the library, our lounge has a window, but the little kitchen adjoining the lounge has a wall of windows, and on the other side of the kitchen is a meeting room, with more windows - and when it's cold out, a most inviting place to sit and have lunch if nobody's having a meeting there.

And that's what we did.

first thing

Glory to you, who safe have kept

and have refreshed me while I slept:

Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,

I may of endless light partake.

Lord, I renew my vows to you;

scatter my foes as morning dew;

guard my first springs of thought and will,

and with yourself my spirit fill.

-  from Magnificat, January 2018

blackbirds passing through

The blackbirds came by yesterday just like they do in spring and fall. But it isn't. I guess I'll have to call the Audubon Society.

bakin' in the oven

I had to cook some bacon but didn't look forward to the hovering over it. So I looked up how to do it in the oven.

Foil-covered pan, cold oven, then turn it up to 375, twenty five or thirty minutes if you want it crunchy. A very easy cleanup, and I can use this method when I won't be needing the bacon fat, which tends to last me a while. So much better.

a surprise gift

My brother was in New York City over part of the weekend, so he met up with our cousins who live there. I was informed that he'd be bringing home a blanket that Yoko had made for me. I know she likes crocheting, but that was just a guess - I was told nothing else.

Well.

It's crochet, all right. All cream, with blue and bronzy-brown. 

Are you beginning to see how fabulous it is? 

This is a treasure - heirloom quality.

I can crochet, but I could not do anything like this.  I'm flabbergasted.

I've got it over the chair in the hallway. Away from cats and claws.

remaining

"One of the most important words in the Gospel of John is menein (to remain, or to stay, or to abide). Phrases containing this word sound like a refrain throughout the fourth Gospel: Remain in my love; Remain in me as I remain in my Father; If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples; Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away like a branch and withers. What is being signaled here is something fundamental to the Christian faith, namely, that Jesus is infinitely more than a teacher whose instruction we follow or a moral hero whose example we imitate; rather, he is a field of force, a power, in which we are immersed. Saint Paul indicates the same truth when he speaks, over and again, if being in Christ."

                                  -     Bishop Robert Barron,  from Magnificat, January 2018

hard tasks

It seems to take me so long to read anything of Gladys Taber's; the books consist of a great many short sections on a number of things, each one separate and most of them worth pondering for a while - you can't just plow ahead like with most books.

"...better to live one day at a time. This is a hard task, often, for we tend to keep going to the past and trying to live it over again or looking ahead and uselessly trying to forecast tomorrow and next week and next year. But somebody has said all the time we really have is the NOW."

                                                        -  from Stillmeadow Daybook

wind and cold

The other day when it snowed, we got ten or eleven inches. That is nothing unusual for this part of the world, but the cold we've had here since a little after Christmas has been quite unusual, and the wind at times!

"Now great winds roar down the canyons of the sky. Branches crash, brooks race, snow scuds along greystone walls. ...despite the scientists I find nobody knows whence it comes or whither it goes. The dark of north woods is in it, the white breath of polar ice - how it blows away the settled feelings of snug hearth and flickering candlelight!"

-   Gladys Taber

And this morning, the coldest of them all, arriving at church to find the heat wasn't on! Not working!  I was dressed warmly with down coat, tall boots and warm gloves which stayed on my hands as much as possible during Mass, but I had to sit in our warm sunny living room a long time afterward to get warmed up. I read a lot of this and that, under a blanket.

Which brings me to another story from Gladys:

"This weekend Connie came home and on Sunday morning went to church with me. In the middle of the sermon, a terrible crash sounded, a crackling, bashing sound... The minister was talking about Paul, and he only paused a minute and went on about Paul and the shipwreck. Paul said the ship would not be wrecked, in Acts something or other. I admired Paul's courage. Another crack came. 

Then the sweet-faced organist stepped over and murmured something to the minister and moved to the back of the church. It turned out the organ pipes had sort of blown up as it was a very cold day. It sometimes happens, announced the minister."

I thank God for the people who make down coats, cashmere gloves, wool sweaters and 180s (ear protectors).

through all the darkness

"God our Father, you sent your son into the world as a beacon toward which we travel in faith, trusting that by his light we will find our way through all darkness into the glory of your everlasting love. Guide us on our road and bring us safely to our rest, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

-  Magnificat, January 2018

eleventh day of Christmas

big snowstorm outside

cheery lights inside

"It's a comforting thought that beautiful moments never die. One can collect them, store them away, and they are always at hand to bring forth again and appreciate. There are many of them, and all one needs is an awareness to have them."

-  Gladys Taber

from darkness to radiance

Loving Father, darkness is for ever changed because of the Birth of the Light: Jesus Christ your Son. Take all the darkness of our lives and replace it with the radiance of our newborn Savior. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-  from Magnificat, December 2017

red and green and snow

We had more snow today - not much, but the Christmas lights inside sparkle so much more when it's darker out, so it's never dreary indoors at this time of year. 

I bought this armful of winterberry and greenery at the farmers' market about a month ago. I couldn't resist, although not quite knowing what I would do with it all. But there is a small plastic table on the front step outside - painted the same color as the house, so really you can't tell what it's made of - and a container on it. (I had planted nasturtium seeds there and was really hoping they'd bloom before the frost, but they didn't.) I looked at that empty (except for the shriveled nasturtium) pot every day, telling myself I really should empty it out and put it away. I'm glad I didn't! When I got home, those branches were easily pushed into the soft potting soil and there they've stayed since, merry and bright.

It's been unusually cold for December, in the teens during the day. I wonder what kind of winter we will have.

"the luminous meaning of life"

"The newborn Child challenges us. He calls us to leave behind fleeting illusions and to turn to what is essential, to renounce our insatiable cravings, to abandon our endless yearning for things we will never have. We do well to leave such things behind, in order to discover, in the simplicity of the divine Child, peace, joy, and the luminous meaning of life."

                                                            - Pope Francis

a white Christmas

glad tidings

"Shepherds, rejoice! Lift up your eyes,

And send your fears away;

News from the region of the skies;

Salvation's born today!"

-  Isaac Watts

getting ready

The weather people were predicting a warm day today, in the fifties, but it sure wasn't. We had ice all day and it's still there.

My brother had to oh-so carefully move out to his car this morning; to show me how icy it was, he placed the jug of ice melt on the driveway and it slid about two feet by itself. But the roads were okay.

I asked him when he wanted to eat tomorrow, since he'll be going out to help at the four o'clock Mass and then at the midnight. And then I realized the best thing to do is embrace this crazy schedule and make a brunch for after church, and with my birthday omelet fresh in my mind, I prepared as much as I could ahead of time. I made two omelets today, and I'm going to fill them with salmon, spinach and some cheese, so I also cooked the spinach and the fish ahead.

I can throw it all together as soon as we get home with homemade applesauce from a customer of his, toast and tea - I think it should hold us till he gets back in the evening, and then we can have soup and toasted cheese sandwiches. Cookies in between, of course.

I tried to do some last-minute cleaning today, after neglecting my usual routine this week. Thursday I ignored housework (except dinner and laundry) and finished the Christmas cards. Yesterday I focused on wrapping. I am realizing something that I didn't get before: if I devote a day to writing cards and ignore all else, it could be an enjoyable day, and I'd probably be able to do it in one day. But, because I try to fit it in with everything else I want to do, it drags on and I'm still doing it at the eleventh hour. This applies to any extra but important task, and I am beginning to see that I need to just embrace having to do it - the housework can be caught up (more or less) another time. I hope I remember this - I need to try it.

"I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God)."

-  Revelation 21:3

not for ourselves alone

"It is very important to remember during these few days before Christmas that we never receive any grace for ourselves alone but for the building up of the entire Mystical Body."

                                                      - Mother Marie des Douleurs,  from Magnificat, December 2017

Lamb Chop

If you're around my age, you may remember Shari Lewis, and Lamb Chop. Do you?

I was at the supermarket today and as I passed by the dog section on the way to get cat food, there was a plush Lamb Chop with antlers there, hanging up, apparently a dog toy. Three dollars and seventy four cents - half price.

What do you think I did?

Would there be any point to my insisting that I'm never drawn to silly Christmas decorations, that Christmas is a serious business to me?  But, Lamb Chop.

She's sitting in the little chair in the living room right now. She doesn't really have a place in our Christmas decor. But, she's Lamb Chop.

She makes a noise when you squeeze her tummy or her hand. I don't know where to keep it; I'm not sorry I bought it. It's Lamb Chop.

running smoothly

I was relieved yesterday when the dough rose promptly, since the house is cool and I use as little yeast as I can get away with(out) when making bread.

so much to do

"Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Amen."

                                                  -  from the collect for the Mass of December 10th

good finds

Recently I was able to unload some things at the thrift store, but then of course I also found some things:

• a large, red basket with a handle
• one pretty luncheon sized plate, deep blue with a raised  white snowflake pattern 
• three wide mouth pint mason jars (see above), perfect for my overnight oats and so much easier to clean
• two small half size jelly jars, all with lids 
• a beautiful queen size cotton flat sheet, in a soft yellow and unusually heavy fabric for a sheet
• one cotton pillowcase

Not to mention the two Christmas presents I found later at a consignment shop! All very useful items.

way beyond sugar

It snowed a little more again yesterday. I was watching a movie (Maudie - excellent story) and afterward I looked outside in the light of the street light.

I saw the snow sparkle more than I had ever seen it. I called my brother over to look - it was not the usual sugary looking snow with sparkles here and there - no. The surface of snow was twinkling as if mirrors had been smashed and the bits sprinkled over all. I went to the back and turned on the spotlight. It reminded me of children's movies, when the special effects people add that Tinkerbelle-y fairy dust over everything - it didn't seem entirely real. I suppose it was more icy than usual?

Today it was back-to-normal twinkling.  But what a sight to remember!

Oh beautiful at nightfall

The soft spitting snow

And beautiful of bare boughs

Rubbing to and fro

- Edna St. Vincent Millay

more mighty than any other power

"Christmas Eve is my favorite time.  The trappings are fun, the holiday exciting, but more than that, I feel it has a significance not lost in the glitter, not really.

...it is good to remember that the carpenter's son was born, and taught, and died so long ago and yet is so alive, that we celebrate his birthday.   And what a miracle it is that down the centuries, in the midst of wars and destruction and famines and pestilence the spirit of this carpenter has proved more mighty than any other power for it grows and shines in our day as it did then.

Somehow I feel that at Christmas time, we may stop and look at God and let God look at us.  I think most mothers get tired during the Christmas rush. I do. There is always a low moment when I fervently wish it were just over and I could SIT DOWN. I wish it were August. And nothing at all going on.

And yet, when the children say 'Thank you for a wonderful Christmas, best we ever had,' and one child whispers, 'this was just all I wanted - how did you know?' and one child curls up to read the book you have chosen so carefully, and one says 'we never had such a Christmas,' suddenly then all the tiredness ebbs away, and a pure happiness floods in."

                                                     -  from Gladys Taber,  published in 1955.

snowflakes and evergreens

A bulletin board at the library:

I work with some clever and artistic people.

(I had nothing to do with this.)

a memorable birthday treat

First of all, I would like to publicly thank Gail for remembering my birthday. I did not remember hers on September 23rd, not until I opened her card and then remembered. This also happened last year. But, she is organized.

ahem.

Debra and I went to our favorite brunch place for a treat, and it was snowing. We arrived and were afraid they were closed because the parking lot was pretty empty. But that was because of the snow.

They specialize in omelets - at least they do on Saturdays, which is when we always go there. We both had the same thing: omelet stuffed with roast beef, onions in ale and honey, and cheddar. It was as good as it sounds! And some chocolate mint tea. (I ordered some from Amazon when I got home.) We never have dessert when we go, but for some reason (maybe the snow) we both had the desire for it. I had a Russian cream. How delicious, and I'd never heard of it! I googled the recipe later. I want to make it, fabulous stuff! Heavy cream, gelatin, sour cream, berry sauce - what a dessert! 

It was a delightful birthday treat.

just somebody's house along the way

it happened yesterday

mid-morning, yesterday

a neighbor cat, watching the snow fall

afternoon, with the Christmas tree reflection

"The first snowfall is worth having winter for. First a few tranquil flakes float down, then they come faster, and with purpose. The old greystone walls silver over, the swamp wears a mantle whiter than foam. The pine trees on the slope begin to cast feathers of snow from their branches. Inside the house there is a curious luminous look to everything, and outside the sharp etchings of November begin to blur."

-   Gladys Taber from the December chapter of Stillmeadow Daybook

come quickly

Come, quickly come, great King of all;

Reign all around us, and within;

Let sin no more our souls enthrall,

Let pain and sorrow die with sin;

Come, quickly come: for you alone

Can make your scattered people one.

Come, quickly come, true Life of all;

The curse of death is on the ground;

On every home his shadows fall,

On every heart his mark is found:

Come, quickly come, for grief and pain

Can never cloud your glorious reign.

come and save us

The Lord will come and not be slow,

His footsteps cannot err;

Before him righteousness shall go,

His royal harbinger.

Truth from the earth, like to a flower,

Shall bud and blossom then;

And justice, from her heav'nly bower,

Look down on mortal men.

Rise, God, judge thou the earth in might,

This wicked earth redress;

For thou art he who shalt by right

The nations all possess.

The nations all whom thou hast made

Shall come, and all shall frame

To bow them low before thee, Lord,

And glorify thy name.

For great thou art, and wonders great

By thy strong hand are done:

Thou in thine everlasting seat

Remainest God alone.

"As servants waiting for the Master's return, we pray:

        Come, Lord, and save us!

From the emptiness when we do not recognize your presence:

         Come, Lord, and save us!

From the silence in which we do not hear your voice:

         Come, Lord, and save us!

From the darkness in which we do not see your light:

          Come, Lord, and save us!"

   

                - from Magnificat, December 2017

pretty knits

Every year after Thanksgiving a large tree is put up in the library, filled with knitted/crocheted items, mostly handmade but some purchased. Before Christmas everything will be donated to those who are in need.  It's nice to look at.

Here is something different - a baby sweater knitted in a thicker yarn. Pale pink rollneck with gray trim. What a great design!

I also spied this -

the rows of gold are like knitted smocking - if you stretch it out it's flat;  leave it and it's "gathered".
It would cover a little baby, but it really is much smaller than the typical baby blanket.

Two items which caught my eye.