And in Closing…

As we get ready to close out another year, I am again astounded as to how fast this past one went by.

For most of us, its a time of reflection…

Did we remember to enjoy the beauty we saw…the amazing colors of the sunrise or the calming of the sunset? Did we remember to share in the gentleness of smiles we saw, sharing them back with contagious love?

Did we catch a single snowflake on our tongue, feeling its cold but seeing their beauty as they cover the land in white perfection…knowing that no single flake is like another – an astounding reality of creation…much like every man.

Did we pause as we listened to the chirping of the birds or hear the laughter of children as they play? Or maybe we went for a walk and could hear the quiet sounds of nature as she whispers the beauty of life as God intended us to hear.

Did we truly feel the love come though with that hug we received? Did we in turn hug back with that same love, sharing a quick taste of the love to come from God…a love so full it could make you gasp with its power?

Did we remember that the gifts we are given from God are free to us for the mere asking…even though they came at a great cost…a cost we could never fathom to withstand by ourselves.

As we begin to start a new year, let us remember the beauty of this past year, even with it hardships. The hope of God’s love gives us strength even when we feel weak.

Always remember the beauty and power of kindness. It can be brighter than any star and powerful enough to change any direction. For this next year, try a little extra kindness and see how it brightens your new year.

First Big Snow

This week we are expecting our first big snow of the season – 3-5 inches. Well, having a white Christmas is always nice. That is surely something you don’t see in the south. Tomorrow at work, the three of us are doing the small gift exchange of cutesy things we get for each to have fun and to make each other smile.

For my partner in goofiness I painted her a Merry Christmas sign in honor of all snowmen.

Then I wrote her this poem to go with it for the upcoming snow on Thursday.

The Magic of a Snowman

The magic of a snowman is quite plain to see

With outstretched mittens to hug you and me

His smile is as bright as the new fallen snow

Showing our happiness in the way it should go

With snowfall a-coming, like in a few days

The smiles of these snowman will brighten your way

Merry Christmas

Anita

Remember in all that you do, to always be kind…even if you are a snowman.

Always be Kind

There’s Something Calming About a Fireplace

Being originally from south Georgia, I tend to not be a fan of winter. But I moved this way because I was tired of the heat. We are never really satisfied with all aspects of weather. But during the winter, there is something peaceful about watching the fire in the fireplace, especially during Christmas.

If you are in your winter season, may you feel the warmth of life around you and remember to share that warmth in kindness.

Always be kind

FOTD, Memories

The midwest during the winter months can be bleak. Currently we have not see the sun in four days with more rain and clouds due this next week. 🥺 Guess that’s better than feet of snow.

So I am digging back into archives of 2021 to remember the beauty and warmth of the sunshine. I fully understand the need for the plant life to rest but I do miss them so.

Sunflowers and bumble bees…sleep well my friends.

While nature is sleeping, don’t let you kindness sleep. Share it often.

Always be kind.

Christmas Songs

I have always wondered what in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge sitting up in pear tree have to do with Christmas?

I saw this on Facebook and though it interesting. Not sure of its validity but felt it worth sharing.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

-Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-Ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. I found it interesting and enlightening and now understand how that strange song became a Christmas Carol. Share this with others as you wish and have a very Merry Christmas.

And as always, remember the beauty and power of kindness and share it often.

Time to Make the Donuts

Remember the “time to make the donuts” guy with the commercials for Dunkin Donuts?

Well, for me and others in our church… its that time of year for Christmas cookies. Its time to make the cookies!!

Every Christmas since Covid hit our world, my church has been making cookies for our local fire station and police station to show them we appreciate their talking care of our community. Its a shame that it took an epidemic to make us understand the value of so many services we had been basically taking for granted. Fortunately, I have never had need of their services but I have seen them do some marvelous things for others. So if you or a family member are in one of these wonderful service groups, I thank you.

Today I made muffins, brownies and orange crispy cookies. Tomorrow I will make some quick breads. And you gotta throw in some chocolate candy, must have chocolate at Christmas. Then we bag them up two or three in a sandwich bag depending on size so it is easy for them to grab a snack after coming in from a duty call.

Merry Christmas and thank you to all the firemen and police officers who helps us in our communities.

And remember the ease, the simpleness, and the power of Kindness and use it often.

Your one small act of kindness may not change our world, but to the one receiving that kindness, you have changed their world.

Always be kind.

New Tree

Those of you who have read me over the last few years know that I go a little “Griswold” at Christmas. Because of a modification to my Christmas village this year, I had to move my train set and railroad station. So where…where do we put it??🤔 I know, I will go by to childhood years and put it under the tree. Okay, which tree?🤔 The living room tree and the dining room tree are too formal…

the ocean tree is not thematically correct…

and there is no room under the bedroom tree because of the large 4 foot stuffed Santa Claus…plus Daisy has issues with moving things.

That leaves me with only one option…buy a new tree…lol. And since it is going in the sunroom with the other outdoor themed decorations, lets make it an outdoor tree…so here we have the bird tree featuring many owls. And below we have the working train carrying its many imaginary visitors home for Christmas.

So as you enjoy the fun parts of Christmas, remember the heart of and why we do Christmas. God sent us a marvelous gift that came to give us life and to show us His power love that is to be shared with all of creation. Merry Christmas and remember to always be kind.

Always Be Kind

FOTD, Snow Bloom

I have been so busy lately. I have not had the chance to visit but I always had my camera (ie, my phone) along and I wanted to share this photo of our first snow back in November.

The dianthus had been beautiful all summer and even with the snow, it was showing a different side of beauty. Now that we are approaching the colder months, let your kindness warm the hearts of those around you.

Always Be Kind

Invisible Love

Hello…remember me?? A person of a certain age…my certain age…should not be so busy that they can’t even do the small simple things they enjoy doing. But alas, that is where we have been for the last six months. But now, I can sit and do nothing…or the small things I enjoy doing. My Christmas decorations of course have been up since mid November so now its just a few presents that need wrapping. Whew!!

The Christmas season, although busy, is where we seem to share the most kindness to those around us and sometimes we focus this kindness on those less fortunate. The Covid years took their toll on all of us – physically, emotionally and financially. And some of those effects are still lingering creating uncertainty. So I want to share a thought from my morning devotion that kind of hit home for me concerning the true purpose for this season…or any season.

Why do we celebrate this season….I think the most trustworthy answer in all categories is...LOVE.

I recently saw a picture on facebook showing pictures of movie portrayals of Mary with baby Jesus next to a picture of Mary crying over the body of Jesus after he was crucified…both pictures reflecting overwhelming gifts of LOVE. God’s gift of baby Jesus for his love of mankind and then Jesus’ sacrificial gift of his life for mankind’s salvation. And lets not forget Mary’s sacrificial gift of raising Jesus, knowing who he was and what his mission was – to save mankind. Colossians reminds us of the visible image and invisible image of God.

Jesus…the visible image of God’s invisible image. How many times do we say – I won’t believe it until I see it. Even the disciple Thomas would not believe in the resurrection until he saw the holes in Jesus’ hands. And modern man is having a very hard time in believing in a God they can’t see. But I challenge you to look around at the beauty of creation, not just the nature side – which is amazing – but the human side as well. While man can sometimes be persnickety, man can also show a beauty and power through kindness and love towards others that can make us see the beauty and love of our invisible God.

¹⁶For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things have been created through him and for him.

The fact that even in this chaotic world we have the ability to show this love and kindness is proof that the invisible God is still here. There will be a day when He will leave and when he leaves, all the love and kindness will leave as well. It won’t be pretty.

So share this wonderful season of love – not just now at Christmas but make every day Christmas by reflecting the love we have been shown by our invisible God and His visible Son…and always be kind.

A Colorful B&W

While this is not a true b&w, it is mostly white…snow white. The picture really does not capture the beauty of the snow, our first for the year. I am not really a fan of the snow but I do enjoy it beauty when I don’t have to get out in it.

I thought this shot interesting showing the contrast of my bright blue gate (yes I made it myself. No respecting contractor would do that. But my contractor was horrible so…there you go.)

Evergreens always show the beauty of the snow as it clings to it branches. The shot of the street below is the most beautiful of my shots this morning.

Well, its November in the Midwest, so I guess its time. It will melt next week as temps will climb into the 40s. But the snow today will continue to fall spreading a blanket of visual purity on a less pure world. Remember in all that you do, to be kind. It is a form of love that helps us all heal.