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

Breathe in evergreens

 

As I approach the market on Tuesday before Thanksgiving, this is what my eyes beheld.

And oh, the scent of fresh evergreens! Though they were probably harvested over a week ago, they really looked good.

Lots of identical trees, with about 7 foot in height, and pretty well rounded. Price? About equal to $10 a foot...a sweet $69.

It was sunny and mild yesterday (Thanksgiving) so I pulled my cap on and walked a bit...and found out walking in grocery stores is nothing compared to going up and down hills! I ate a nice serving of turkey with mushroom gravy, sour cream mashed potatoes (prepared by Lil Sprout Catering) and a kale salad with Caesar dressing and even parmesan sprinkles...pretty good. I've got left overs of everything. My thrill was the Scarlett Pie, (Whole Foods) with pears, apples, cranberries and walnuts, and a crumb topping. I even had another piece as my supper later on watching a movie. "I Know Why the Crawdad Sings." Very good.

Today's quote:

If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to what we want to get out of life that we give to the question of what to do with a two weeks' vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days. 

-Dorothy Canfield Fisher, author, reformer, and activist (1879-1958)