Times Gone By

 As I was thinking about my New Year's post, I began to wonder about the origins of the song Auld Lang Syne.  I have always thought of it as such a sad song.  But after reading through the full verse and a little bit about its history, my thoughts have changed.   As we remember friends, both old and new, we should also remember the roads that we have taken, complete with their unexpected curves.  We can file the specifics away as times gone by, yet hold onto the little bits that make us into who we are now as we grow from year to year.  Hanging onto the positive and doing away with the negative so to speak, and moving forward with invigorated energy into the new. 

At least that is what I'll be thinking as I 'take my right good-will draught' and usher in 2013.   

Happy New Year!

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

 We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Silent Sunday ~ Snow

Focus

While we were in California, Charles got an opportunity to spend a few minutes getting a chess lesson from his Uncle Bill (former competitive chess player).  It was fun to watch how completely both of them could block out an entire, very active, room around them.  Charles came away with a few new moves, and a desire to spend more time learning from Uncle Billy (because really he'll always be Billy to me :)

Yesterday was a long travel day and leading up to it there was very little sleep.  The kind of day that leaves everyone punch drunk, and sleep was a welcome reward.  I had one of those dreams last night, full of nonsensical components that should never go together like bike rides in the snow, tractor repair, and old soothsayers, but somehow it all made total sense.  I was even focused enough on a few words from the soothsayer to have thought, 'Oh!  I need to write down these words of wisdom so that I remember them!'  Too bad that I wrote them down in my dream and not in real life!

This morning we woke up to snow!  That beautiful gentle kind of snow fall that slowly blankets everything and inspires dreamy gazes out the family room window while curled up in a blanket.  Sidney will be thrilled when she wakes up as yesterday in the car she was wondering if she would ever see enough snow to cover the ground this winter.  I believe today they will get to put on their snow pants for the first time this season and enjoy.

Yesterday B said we should sit down and make some goals for the new year.  Not really resolutions, mind you, just priorities for the farm etc.  One such priority will be to re-do the Chicken barn one final time to segregate out laying hens from meat birds, from babies.  It will be the first priority as the snow tore down the netted roof of the outdoor enclosure last night.  Nothing like a sudden reality to bring you quickly into focus, it gets those juices of motivation flowing and a snowy day is the perfect time to start putting priority to paper.  What are you focusing on moving into the new year?

Joyeux Noël

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with
the warmth of family and friends,
a peaceful and joyous soul,
and moments of that special wonder as you see it reflected in your child's eyes.

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” ~ The Conductor, Polar Express

A #latergram Solstice

While sitting on the airplane yesterday, I composed my winter solstice blog, but between an extraordinarily early morning and hitting the ground running once in sunny California, I was beyond spent and didn't get it posted. Better a little late, than never :)

Other than funny little coincidences , like the fact we stayed on the 13th floor of the hotel in Chicago last night, or light joking with the family that we were traveling home, not for Christmas, but so that we could toast the last day of the world with them, all of this talk of the Mayan calendar really seems to distract from today's true purpose...solstice. Today is the shortest day of the year. Fifteen years ago today, the sun set on my grandfathers life, and only a few short months before the sunrise of my marriage. It is always a special day of remembrance and re-birth for me. Though our long cold evenings full of starlight seemed to peak last week while we watched the meteor shower, today's darkness will be the longest before we slowly creep back toward the light. We are fortunate to be able to spend this solstice with family, warmed by the light of hearth and home. Fitting isn't it that on this shortest day, we spent much of it up above the clouds in pure sunlight.

Then and Now

I have spent a lot of time this week trying to think back on my childhood. Searching for moments in my youth that would be similar to today. I remember being in elementary school, and having 'drop drills' these were to prepare us in case of a nuclear attack. It may have just been the innocence of youth, or maybe that I couldn't fathom that this type of thing could truly ever happen, but I don't remember ever being upset or scared by this process. I asked the kids tonight about what type of drills they had. They could, in a very matter of fact way, tell me about lock-down instructions: " the teacher locks the door, turns out the lights, and we all go to a specific corner of the room where no one can see us through the small window in the door. " I was amazed and disheartened by this description, yet at the same time so comforted by the fact that their teachers obviously presented this information in a non-threatening way. Both of the kids are aware and very sad about what happened at Sandy Hook and they asked thoughtful questions. Sidney's school all wore green and white today and celebrated an all school liturgy in remembrance, where they collected donations for the United Way of Western Connecticut.

This afternoon we had our first little smattering of snow. I took a a few moments to sit down and begin this book. The beautiful imagery allowed me to leave the heaviness of the past week even if just for a short time. I had the Christmas trees lit and could hear Sidney on the computer, typing away as she created some new story, and the smell of pine around me was intoxicating. As I looked out the window, I felt as if we were in our own little snow globe, one that I could keep the kids in, and even just for a while longer, protect their innocence.

It appears that our snow drought is about over, as a large storm is heading our way. Wishing everyone a safe week of comfort in their own little snow globes.

Silent Sunday ~ Buzz

Star Light, Star Bright

After the sheer awe of watching the meteor shower with the kids the other night, I find myself with a constant lump in my throat and fighting back tears.  As the 6 brave teachers continue to watch over them, may the 20 newest little stars in the heavens shine brightly on their families and our nation.

Alliteration

Christmas confections conspire creating central consequence.
Boys burst bubbles buffering bestowals.
Luster lingers lower limiting light.
An amusing association animating an aurora.
12.12.12
:)

Snow Withdrawl

I have been in a horrible state of snow withdrawal.  Yes, I love the snow, and like to see some of the white stuff, especially leading up to Christmas.  I have been seeing tons of beautiful winter wonderland shots from all over the globe, and that leaves more than a little envious.  We are in what they are calling a snow drought...it has been 280 days since our last measurable snow.  Even though we have had a damp fall, we had drought conditions this summer, and a very mild winter with below average snow fall last year.  I hope this current 'drought' ends soon, as many of our large old trees could really use the time released watering of a good snow pack this year.  

I am appeased by the gorgeous light that this time of year has to offer.  This weekend at Charles' Boy Scout meeting a Science Teacher from a local high school spoke to the boys.  One of the areas that he covered was showing some illusions, and discussing what your eye sees objects, how your brain interprets them, switching them from upside down to right side up, resulting in the final image.  When I enjoyed those last few minutes of golden light last night, I took this shot and it immediately reminded me of that conversation.

Silent Sunday ~ All We Need Is Snow

Darkness and Light

 Each morning I look out the window and watch the sunrise.  This morning it was striking the change in location of the sun.  It has happened gradually, but with many mornings of clouds and fog was disguised, and it's now obvious skew now hits me.  It has now taken up residence much further South in our tree line.  In fact, the sun will barely reach above that tree line these days at it progresses much lower across the sphere each day.  We are now almost dark by about 4:20.  I relish that special angled light this time of year as we approach the solstice, and that darkest night before the light slowly returns.  It is almost as if we are watching the sun nap, and she will soon begin to stir and stretch, as she slowly begins her climb back up higher in the sky.

Silent Sunday ~ 58 Degrees In December!

November In Review

 Three years ago, I began participating in Picture A Day (PAD) projects.  In the first two years I think I missed a total of 10 days, so my goal this year was to make it without missing a day.  So far, so good!  I'm in the home stretch...31 more days!  I have learned so much during this time and now I have a new camera to play with, so I'm sure I've got this one covered!  Here is a little bit of what November looked like through my lens.



1. 11/1/12 Another Beautiful Sunrise, 2. 11/2/12 Daddy Night Camp Out, 3. 11/3/12 Rosehips, 4. 11/4/12 Sleepover Fun, 5. 11/5/12 Canvas, 6. 11/6/12 Capitol Field Trip, 7. 11/7/12 Portobello Burgoinione, 8. 11/8/12 Cinnamon Waffles, 9. 11/9/12 Schnauzer Cut, 10. 11/10/12 Final push on the fall clean-up...me thinks a bonfire is in order!, 11. 11/11/12 Soon to be ham and beans, to be accompanied by garden mustard greens., 12. 11/12/12 Warm!, 13. 11/13/12 Wine Testing, 14. 11/15/12 Sunrise, 15. 11/14/12 Co-Op, 16. 11/16/12 Jet streams, 17. 11/17/2012 Field, 18. 11/18/12 Driving Lesson, 19. 11/19/12 Baby Cows, 20. 11/20/12 Contemplate, 21. 11/21/12 Scaring Aunt Sissy, 22. 11/22/12 Reflections of Yesteryear, 23. 11/23/12 Roadside in Iowa, 24. 11/24/12 In The Garden, 25. 11/25/12 Faces in Flames, 26. 11/26/12 Giving Tree, 27. 11/27/12 Smoothies, 28. 11/28/12 Fresh Gingerbread, 29. 11/29/12 Ina Garten, 30. 11/30/12 It's Here!