Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

1.

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost . . . I am hopeless.

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

2.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in the same place.

But, it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

3.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in . . . it’s a habit.

My eyes are open

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately

4.

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

5.

5)  I walk down another street.

Portia Nelson

I can't tell you how much I love this!!

A handmade Christmas

One of my favorite things to do this time of year 

is to simply sit -

and look at my Christmas decorations.

Everywhere I turn,

I see the work of human hands;

if not necessarily mine,

then those of my friends,

 family members

or artisans 

whose paths have crossed mine over the years.

Different mediums,

different gifts,

all beautiful;

evoking memories of past trips,

times shared 'creating' with family after Thanksgiving dinners,

and finding treasures 

in 'off the beaten trail' 

homes and shops!

Whether they're 

MY childhood creations...

my sons childhood creations

with ping pong balls...

and cardboard...

offerings from friends

crafted from wood,

or Santas lovingly made by artists, 

many who became dear friends;

all are cherished!

Don't think I only created things in my childhood...

I've put the antique chocolate molds I've collected to good use -

making and painting 

plaster of paris Santas and trees.

Every year I get them out,

I promise myself I'll do it again!

Maybe in retirement!

Time travel

to the past and the future!

One of the greatest gifts of the season!

All while simply sitting and looking!

Hope you're enjoying your holiday season

as much as I am, friends!

A parliament

Did you know that's what a flock of owls is called?

No, neither did I.

There are SO many reasons why I miss the Jersey Shore - 

we've had this discussion before, right?

Although to be honest, I usually miss it most in the summer.

This year however 

there's another reason to feel sorry for myself 

that I never got to live permanently on the island (LBI) 

for those uninitiated.

A parliament of snow owls has apparently taken up residence-

and it's spectacular!

I'm SO envious!
(Link to the blog that 's following them here)

I'll live vicariously through her photos -
and enjoy the newest owl at MY house!

WHOOOOOO'S still looking for love?

Too damn cute, right?

Double booked

it feels too early in the 'season' to have two things to do

at the same time -

but I did.

One:

a raucous, loud,

feeding and buying frenzy,

all for a good cause to be sure;

a morning which promised to be filled

with brief, superficial conversations,

laughter and being 'on'.

The other:

an Advent quiet morning

at a local retreat center;

the chance to breathe deeply,

listen carefully,

and see glimmers of light in the darkness;

to reflect on 'preparing the way'

and

being road builders.

It was no contest.

I'm pleased with the choice I made.

I have plenty of other opportunities

for eating, buying

and laughing!

The Last ED Staff Christmas Party

Time to acknowledge that there will be some 'lasts' 

as I go through these next few months.

Like last night - 

the last time I'll host the ED SW group 

with me as a working part of the group!

What an honor its been to work with these young women!

I leave the ER in capable hands.

and I LOVE that having the party at my house 

so early in the season 

forced me to get the house ready -

now all I have to do is sit back and enjoy it!

What does it say about me 

that I honestly didn't think any of the 'ugly' Christmas sweaters 

were all that bad!?

OK, so one was...

which was caught on this funny candid!

No, not mine - 

busy isn't 'ugly';

I meant the blurry one!

We were in such a holiday mood 

that even the 'gag' gifts were a hit!

One of my favorite scenes of the night?

Great kickstart to the season!

(And no, the dogs weren't on 'lockdown' all night;

just till they got used to company and settled down!)