Home again, home again, jiggidy jig.

 Sort of sick by the time I finally got home yesterday. So no blog this morning (I usually write the night before). Slept fine though, and it probably was just fatigue from travel.

This morning there's heavy fog, but no rain. While I was gone, Black Mountain apparently got a lot of rain, which it needed. In Tampa FL we had off and on light showers a few days. There were many coastal floods from the previous weekend's deluge which hit...just heavy rain and wind, but some Gulfport boats were flung ashore and are now stranded.

Here's my daughter-in-law selling Moonlit Macarons in Gulfport the weekend after the storm.  All is well in the center of the little town.

And here I am with my own bunch. Doug (ex-hubby) me, William, Cayenne and my son Marty. Becker in front row is the service dog at Freedom Plaza, a senior apartment building in Sun City Center, FL

There are more photos to come...

Here's something I like...though of course the big celebration is over.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀.

"Santas" of Northern Russia: on very left, Yamal Iri, the "White Elder" of the Yamal Peninsula, belonging to the indigenous Nentsi people; Second from the left is Russian Ded Moroz himself; Third from the left Chyskhaan, the "Bull Man" of the Sakha people of Yakutia, in Northern Siberia; next one, the lady, is Tugeni Eneken, "Mother Winter", of the Evenki and other tundra nomads; after her is the visiting official Santa Claus of Finland; and then Pokkaine, the youngish "Santa" of the ethnic Karelian people.

Photo: Vladimir Sevrinovsk posted to Facebook Dec 25, 2020

Have a great day...in this mid-time between Christmas and New Years.

Christmas is here!

 

Taken from playing a video on an old TV...this photo sort of shows my grandmother "Gummy" arriving with newspaper-wrapped presents in about 1947.

Same conditions captured my mother, Mataley Rogers preparing the turkey in 1947, in the kitchen on Cumberland St. in Houston, TX.

See my post with more of my family's early Christmas here.

Here I am, following a star (our sun) in the West (forgive my stretching of the story).

What is this I see, an E4...does that mean anything? Perhaps Endeavor For, or Engaging Four, or Emmanuel coming Forth! I am open to considering that these are wise men going to find the King of Kings.

And like a sheep following it's shepherd, there's the bigger truck ahead, going down the next hill as they pass one of the hotels in our town, which must be full for the holidays. There are two more motels to consider, wherever that star might lead them. Perhaps a stable behind one of them...

Well, my fantasy of Following the Star to the Babe in Bethlehem was given a reality check at the next red light.

Yes, our very own Black Mountain Fire Department was driving somewhere (unknown but without sirens) to obtain provisions, greet less able persons, give away toys, or perhaps park outside a local restaurant for lunch. 

I'm so glad these first responders are there when we might need them. For me, when I call 911 in the middle of the night, one of these trucks usually arrives first, before the ambulance. So these fire fighters are there listening to me talk about my symptoms, rather than putting out a fire. But as soon as the EMTs arrive, they give them the information. I think it's a redundant system, but these guys are much faster and know CPR...so may save lives in that way.

So while celebrating the birth of Jesus today, I honor also the care givers and first responders of our world.

I'm actually in Florida today with my son, grandchildren and other relations. 

My new chakra beaded bracelet!

Barb and Marty getting an early present from me.

I'd worry if this was an aura portrait. But it's the Dali' Museum's idea of an impressionistic portrait of myself.

Grandson Michael is the Cookie King. Each year he spends at least a day making lots and lots of cookies, then puts them in tins, and I guess gives them to friends and relatives as presents.

My son's tree is a rotating tree, so the gifts are over to the side. Cats are happy sitting on the skirt, and have been strictly admonished to leave the ornaments alone. They are behaving pretty well.

I do hope all of these blogger friends have merry time today, with whoever you choose to be with!

Today's quote:

Nothing so soothes our vanity as a display of greater vanity in others; it makes us vain, in fact, of our modesty. 

-Louis Kronenberger, writer (1904-1980)

Many thanks to those who share their photos on Facebook!

Salvador Dali

Signs2

 

I admit to staying  up many a midnight hour looking at the ancestors who lived before me! What an interesting bunch of people they were!

This is probably why my ancestors are such interesting people!

Today's quote:

I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree. 

-(Alfred) Joyce Kilmer, journalist and poet (1886-1918) 

A special gift of this season, one I attribute to Solstice, Jethro Tull sings Ring Out These Bells.

Winter Solstice is tomorrow

Christmas is 5 days away.

While this didn't get added to the Signs2 meme, it is there in spirit.

I'm traveling south today and tomorrow, at 70 mph and stops for my 81 year old body's needs, it is a 9.5 hour trip that I'll easily need 2 days of driving to accomplish. I'm being careful, following the law, and hoping that everyone is also who's on the highways this week with me.

I do hope I can find a room at the inn tonight, I'm not very good sleeping in the car...what's that, you have barn room at half price? Mmmm, maybe. Depends on the animals. I cuddle with selective little animals, preferably cats.

Just saying...

These are serious anthropologists!

The stars and balls got it wrong, it's just two days till Winter Solstice!

Now this is a Father Christmas I could imagine sharing some great presents with me.

I'm not sure black people would want this guy with his list of the good kids. It's more likely PC people will purchase him and make him stand in public places where blacks might see him. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral 2017 New York City

Six days till Christmas

Today's quote:

That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great. 

-Willa Cather, novelist (1873-1947)

Step back in history

 At the Swannanoa Valley Museum and  History Center!

A friend who's an artist created these figures, Jerry Pope.

This String Band sits on an old time radio...where many people used to sit in their living rooms to listen to so many shows.

Roberta Flack was born in Black Mountain, though she grew up elsewhere. We've adopted her though.

Many explanatory boards talking about music making in these mountains and valleys!

I do love folk music. And some blue grass. And a bit of country. 

One of my favorite songs of Roberta Flack..."The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face..."

Today's quote: 

Times of scarcity need to be met with generosity, times of fear with comfort, times of uncertainty with presence.

THOMAS HÜB Four more days till Winter Solstice when the light returns

My Facebook friend's tree (Maureen Kiloram). 13 More Days till Christmas

Winter Holidays Indoors (and out)

 

A setting for the photographer. Even fake snow along the steps! But the message is to have seasonal beauty, don't you think? And perhaps envy.

Sepia Saturday suggests another series of photos of life indoors. Let's see what I can come up with!

OK, those who like crochet work, how do you like this tree?

I was eating a lovely brunch the other day, and noticed this nice chandelier, as well as some seasonal decorations.

In a different restaurant, sharing a lovely Sunday dinner with friends, l to r, Ann, Alice, myself, and David!

And speaking of food, here's how the TV personality Julia Child produced her show, with 5 assistants off camera to provide her with the next needed thing!

A Crystal Tree

An internet image of Christmas past...( no relation to me)

Today's quote:

When life feels too big to handle, go outside. Everything looks smaller when you’re standing under the sky.

L.R. KNOST Isn't it fun to do photoshop? Christmas is 9 day's away! "LUCIA AT LAST"  by Lisa Aisato.  Winter Solstice is 5 days away