Now the Light returns
Now is the world renewed
Now the Spiral turns

Deep in Winter's quiet
Small and sure and waiting
The seed begins to grow

Deep in the waiting heart
The Spark of Life ignites
Joy and Love and Gratitude

* cookies were made
delivered up to "the store"
Miss Miriam (age over 80)
got the first one
declared it was her favorite kind

* fruitcake made
eaten with tea
as gifts opened this morning

* son bought me white flowers
enough for two bouquets
on the coffee table
miraculously undisturbed by cats
chrysanthemums in a blue pitcher
here in the aerie
pewter vase -carnations
freesia - small white roses

* tree trimmed
Santa motif
Santas on the mantle behind it
Santas on the tree
with little red apples
a few golden balls
colored lights
( i wanted white
the string was too long
for the small tree)
topping the tree
a white dove

* cats investigated tree
Orisha really not interested
Bebe wanted the balls
said balls taken out of her reach

* Russian Pie made
eaten with ceremony
also with picked beets
salad - prosciutto & figs
bread & cheese
Champagne & chocolates
with the pewter candelabra
deep burgundy red candles

* best - husband & i
shared oysters
steamed & with our sauce
Champagne
just us
what are we celebrating?
us and our love

* what all the whos in whoville
celebrate - love
"christmas day is in our grasp
as long as we have hands to clasp"

* Blessings to all
I clasp your hands via L J

I hope your Winter Solstice was peaceful and filled with joy!

Here at the Aerie, I have been quite happy to divide my time between my snug little nest and the silent and snow-covered land. I haven't felt this contented in a long time.

It has been a time for observation and contemplation rather than action. A time for thoughts leading to a time for making plans. A time for making peace with the present as the beginning of making way for the future.

Just as I arrived slowly at this night-filled time of year, I will depart with equal slowness. Not now. Not yet. I am content to sit wrapped in a soft blanket and look out at the stars.

Blessings!

* the house looks a lot better than it did this morning

* cookies are made
i will pack up a box
husband will take them early am
up to the store
only one on the island
hangout for watermen

* Walt gave us a bucket of oysters
steamed oyster tomorrow!!

* tonight I plan
to cut fruit for the cake
get it in the oven
first thing in am
it needs to bake at least three hours

* tomorrow
decorate a bit
make small Russian Pie

* I am gratful our friends
realize we can no longer
do major party

have to be made
tradition
Christmas Eve morning
chocolate chip for the guys

what am i doing?
cleaning
big cleaning
because
sometimes
the need for neat & clean
for order
takes possession of one

* truth be told
Solstice confuses me
never sure what to celebrate when
there is no ancient site
sun comes through no crevice

* FACTS:
today is the shortest day
tonight is the longest night
tomorrow days start to lengthen

* what i know
the sun will travel
i see it now far to my right
in my east facing windows
each morning it will move
day by day - week by week
from one window to another

* sunset is the same
in the west
from the point of the jetty
to behind the trees in June
as i type it paints
water from the jetty
to my window

* the new solar year has started
Winter is declared
and i ask
what does that mean?

* winter is hibernation
beneath the ground
the plant at rest
some animals in deep repose

* seeds - poem by Nancy Blair
Time to whisper
And to listen
Time to soak
Your heart's intentions
Bellow deep the dark's delight
Buzzing soft your own inventions

* Winter starts today
Seed Time starts today
for me two months
with less demands
(so ok I just got an email
of a Jan 6 meeting
but generally less demands)

* cards & presents
made & sent
holiday for others accomplished

* for us
do as we please
there is no need of deadlines
bake because I like my cookies
cake because it is our roots

* a new attitude
for a new time
always it is rush rush
why?
winter is hibernation

* this is Blue Moon!
Solstice Moon
"Buzzing soft your own inventions"
i shall paint my nails blue
i shall start my hibernation
now

* Now begins the outward movement
Slowly slowly now the stillness
Now reflection Do not hurry
Let the seed within you grow

* Blessings all

Snow arrives,
Winter's messenger unfolds her blanket
And tells us to listen in stillness.

Listen,
Know the truth in your heart
Where Goddess whispers to you.

Whispers,
Truths flutter and grow strong
In the snowy night.

Stillness,
It is the Goddess' message
Told without words.

* It is now three days before Solstice
For any one reading the little daily prayers
wondering about Day Four
sorry
i was too exhausted last night

* yesterday was Lions fruit bags day
bags of fruit are given to the elderly
and families in need
in our community
Lions buy the fruit
school children bag it

* i call the school
yes children will do it
1:30 pm
Lions will bring the fruit
directly to school
husband goes off
to help get fruit

* 11am - call from husband
discover insert cards not made
usually computer generated
but - ok
i'll make them by hand
fold & cut paper
print -
Merry Christmas
Deal Island - Chance
Lions Club
150 times!

* finish just short of 1:30
rush to the school
discover fruit packing
almost finished
without cards inserted
School schedule had changed
had to be done
as soon as fruit arrived

* to say i was distressed
is understatement
However - fruit bags moved
to our storage area
cards inserted

* Christmas Lights Contest
judging last night
kids who packed fruit
get to be judges
i spent hour & half
on school bus
with dozen excited
noisy!
fifth graders

*night is cold & dark
bus bumps down
narrow twisting country roads
lights looked great
very winter wonderland

* But 8 pm
when I got home
wanted a drink
crawl into bed
get warm
- sleep

* Day Four Prayer
O Great Goddess
Lady Water
in your dark depths
where life begins
we wait
for the Light
and the New Time

 I just had to share one of the best moments I've had so far as a parent.  Matt was at study group so it was just me and Liam at home.  It was nearing his bedtime and he toddled over to me at the computer.  One of his new favorite things to do is to spin the office chair (with or without someone in it) and so he spun me around until I was facing him.  He then reached his little arms up.  I lifted him into my lap where he turned and hugged me then nestled his head into my chest and we sat there embracing like that for a minute or so until I realized he was asking to go to bed.

It's moments like that which make everything we go through to be parents worthwhile.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both and sometimes for the same gift

2. Real tree or Artificial?
REAL! only real. Some years we bought a live tree and planted it outside. We did that for the first year we lived in the house we had for 20 years. We moved in at Christmas time. When we left the tree was as tall as the house.

3. When do you put up the tree?
December 24

4. When do you take the tree down?
Whenever it tells us it's time. Usually mid January lol after son's birthday.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Not really I have a glass or two just to celebrate the season. Always without alcohol.
To celebrate it's champagne.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
My mother used to make a new wardrobe for my doll for Christmas. She said Santa made it. One year she made a beautiful full skirted bassinet. I found it hidden in a closet a few days before Christmas. It was my clue as to the reality of Santa. I pretended for a couple of more years so as to not disappoint her.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Brother-in-law

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Sister-in-law Carolyn. She has such a sense of humor and interests.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Two both made of corn husks. One formal with just Mary and Joseph and the child. The other has a collection of other figures I collected over the years. I put them both up because they are part of the joy and beauty of the season.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail!! I hate ecards. Yes thanks for thinking of me but I can't display you.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
There are NO worst presents. Someone thought to buy it. If I can't use it I pass it on. It can always go to the sale my Arts Council has .

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Probably the musical version of Scrooge

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
like yesterday? I pick up things while I'm on vacation but serious shopping is usually somewhere around December 15

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
YES! If I can't use it and I know it would please someone else

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
my fruitcake and cookies. I always resolve to bake more often.

16. Color of Lights on the tree?
I prefer white. Son likes colored. We alternate years.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I love many of them!! I use to do Go Tell It On The Mountain in Church. I love O come O Come Emmanuel but that is an ADVENT hymn. I sing some esoteric French ones to myself. And parts of Handle's messiah

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We used to go to the Caribbean. Other wise be safe and snug at home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
neither. We have an old glass tree topper with a fall of silver tinsel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Morning but with some exceptions. My clever sister-in-law Carolyn makes her tags a guessing game. One year at a party on Christmas Eve we had to open all of Carolyn's presents because our guests wanted to play the game.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Commercials!!!

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
Love the colors green/white/silver
have a Santa collection. There is a small one in a green fabric robe with a string beard I am particularly fond of. I like the Santa as pedlar figures.

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner?
Roast Beef!!! For Christmas Eve Russian Pie and pickled beets!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I will probably indulge in books after Christmas. We don't do gifts in the immediate family. We do something together afterwards.

* Sunshine
but cold
wind sharp

* gift shopping done!!!
found some nice things
whole experience
not as bad as i had feared

* O Great Goddess
Lady of the Forest
beneath your dark branches
we wait
for the light
and the new time

* grey & damp but good
holiday shopping
after dismal start

* Books for everyone!!!
none of this high tech stuff
paper and print and pictures
delights the soul
book on mushrooms
illustrated with fabulous paintings
stories for children
cook books

* Gourmet Cookware store
more than just pots
perfect stuff

* favorite restaurant
mussels in garlic broth
wine in deep bowled thin stemmed glasses
a candle on the table
reflected in the dark window

* wind blowing now
Dark Moon
start of new lunation
Blue Moon!
Solstice Moon
Full Moon new year's eve
time for something new
time for discovery
time for subtle emerging

* O Great Goddess
Lady Air
Riding on the wing
of the dark bird
in your shadow
we wait
for the light
and the new time