Who is your favorite Magi?

Mine is the fourth one,

Do you know his story?

Happy New Year!

Fresh and clean as new fallen snow.

Still, Tis The Season

As we prepare to welcome a new year we must remember that we are smack dab in the middle of the 12 days of Christmas. Only 6 more days left.

That's it, unless you keep Christmas in your heart 365 days a year. Wonder what it means to keep Christmas in your heart all year long?

Sometimes

In life, sometimes you have to get out and push.

Vacation from vacations

Vacations tend to be over scheduled. With exhaustion being the foremost souvenir. Returning home, resuming work it takes a few days to feel rested and refreshed.

Thankfully this Christmas that is not the case. Every day there isn't a must do agenda. Games are played. Books read. Walks are taken. Must do activities are set aside and obligations forgiven.

Come the time to return to work and school we might actually be rested.

The best thing about Christmas

The majority of our gifts exchanged are handmade and from the heart.

When we reach for those tomatoes, or pickles or jam we relive the whole Christmas experience.

Some journeys are longer than others

Without weather it's an easy 15 hour drive; barring traffic.

With driving rain, then snow, untold accidents, and now hanging with the plow train, we aren't quite home after 17.

It has definitely been interesting.

Traveling Today?

I guess we are always traveling somewhere. Either physically, mentally or spiritually; or a combination of these pathways. Sometimes there are hiccups, accidents, torrential storms or detours. Sometimes we take a wrong turn...

Wherever you go; by whatever route, travel with the grace of God. And remember God wastes nothing.

Christmas Miracle

At a time when bigger is what we believe is not only necessary but required, my niece cooked for 14 not just one fantastic meal, but a vacation worth in this alcove after thought of a kitchen.

I am in awe. And we are all stuffed. Despite multiple daily walks.

Love you baby Jesus

Watching and Waiting

Do you see what I see?

A child, a child shivers in the cold.
Let us bring Him silver and gold.
Let us bring Him silver and gold.

Carry It Forward

Still grappling with the violence at Shady Hook, a friend and I were commenting on the wave of goodwill and love that has erupted not only in Connecticut, but here in Massachusetts and more than likely around the world. It was reported that for 8 hours at a local drive through coffee/donut place people were paying for an order or two behind them. Leaving cash at the register to cover the bills of others.

And how generous and wonderful as this is, I'm left with the question, "Why did it take the senseless deaths of 28 people to bring about this outpouring?" Yes 28.

Let us not forget the tragedy, and as we move towards healing let us never forget the love and kindness that work so hard to heal the wounds. Evil happens in the blink of an eye. Coming out of no where.

Let's not say the say the same for love.

Just Believe

Christmas miracles happen.

The Christmas Miracle

Nine years ago I remember sweating out our first parish Christmas play. Would this rag tag group of youth be able to pull off the production of Baby's First Christmas? Scripts still being used at the dress rehearsal... Songs inaudible... The final production was flawless. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Tonight at the final rehearsal I listened to rookie play parents voicing the same concerns. Smiling I reassured them that tomorrow's production will merit a box of tissues, maybe two. That it has never failed to be the best Christmas play ever.

The majority of this year's crew is the youngest and most active ever. With unbridled innocence they run off the stage heading for the bathroom when nature calls... Right in the middle of a scene. Song and choreography be damned. Precious. Still carrying scripts at the dressing rehearsal; now nothing new. I know to bring tissues to tomorrow night's production.

Proud that my children know Christmas is still about Jesus.

They're not all cookie cutter perfect

I love my day job. But that doesn't mean it's always everyday easy and not frustrating.

The movie, Facing The Giants, has several central themes.

1. In all you do Honor God.
2. Praise Him when we win. Praise Him when we lose.
3. Prayer doesn't result in an automatic cake walk. None of the Eagle's games ended with a winning score ## to zero. Usually it was something like 21 to 14. Just like life. We have work hard everyday every play.

In many ways those days where it takes a smidgen more effort to recognize Jesus in the distress and disguise of the poor often turn out to be the better days. Funny how that works.

If the world does end today, would you be okay with that?

Take The Time

This Christmas share a talent. Nothing says I love you more than taking a few minutes to make those around you smile. And they may even start to sing.  It's in giving we receive. No wrapping required.

The magical back story: Pictured is my 35 year old flute. Took advantage of free in school lessons my junior and senior years in high school, as music coursework. Never got the opportunity to play in a band. Those two years, learned, practiced and played for myself and sometimes for patient and captive family audiences. Now a lifetime later I play for my clients. Who happily play guess the Christmas carol and sing a long.

Have some last minute shopping?

Give the gift of time. Fits the young and the old. No wrapping required.

Another small act brimming with love

Would you write one letter? One letter for each innocent murdered? Promise to never forget.

He Wastes Nothing

God doesn't kill 26 innocent children and women. But He will use their combined love, innocence and courage, to expound upon and teach and show us life's most precious lessons.

Lesson one. Love is always greater than evil. Snuff out 26 burning bright candles and watch the firestorm of love that consumes the globe.

But why does it take even one lost candle for the world to care? We should care already.

To live, love.

Prayers

For all at Shady Hook Elementary School in Newtown Conn.

What is wrong with us as a society? Why do these horrific happenings occur?

Ten days strong

And healthy.   Atta girl, Patty!

Can you do it?

Mother Theresa said, "Do small things with a great love."

Can you do this one?

Progress?

Sometimes when stymied on a problem in one area (wrapping Christmas presents) there erupts an explosion in another (cooking).

The kitchen certainly has been a hopping place since hitting the dilemma over wrapping our homemade ornaments for safe travel.

Certainly a tasty blessing. With the girls joining in on the fun... While disappearing for clean up. Not totally unexpected. Though their presence is an ample present for this mom's Christmas. No wrapping required.

Did you notice the hidden mickeys? We also created a herd of cows for our farm family. Will leave them off with the note: Now here is a herd you can really sink your teeth into.

Progress that puts a smile on your face

Ten days till show time.

Progress

Still thinking I'll use different glass for the Eucharist.

Tried to use just the glass from the old church front doors, but I'm thinking it needs something whiter.

God of The City Tour

Oh come let us adore Him, Christ The Lord.

The daily miracle that beats all

Every weekday upon entering the client's home everything else in life falls away. Allowing them to be my only focus and give them the best customer service I can offer.

One of life's major rewards.

Don't take daily miracles for granted

At its basic level, and never to be taken for granted is life itself. Living is not always a given. For those of us lucky to awake this day, the miracle count is one. And the count escalates from there.

Parenting, caring for others, great customer service. Everyday the miracle beat rolls on.

When life speeds up

Don't forget to slow down. Deep down, no one enjoys life in the fast lane. Savor the moments. Kiss the children. Smile.

And for this girl: Visit some cows.

It's the most wonder filled time of the year.

Our days are full

This morning members of Troop 72148 painted a window in downtown Framingham in celebration of the season. Afterwards there was parish Christmas play practice then off to practice cooking fish for The Art of Living.

And the blessing, for God wastes nothing. On this busiest of busy days I spent an hour and a half  sitting in silent prayer while the cooking team honed their skills.  Imagine that much quiet during the busiest of days.

Downtown community Christmas window art

So did you find the hidden Mickey?

Meet Patty

This beautiful calf, the last of the season, was given the name Patty. She was born Dec. 4th, 8 PM.

A real love.

Just when you thought the plate could not get any fuller...

Girl Scout cookies go on sale tomorrow, December 7th. Leave a comment. We will take your order. And we happily ship.

So little time these days, so many commitments vying for every second of the day. It takes a project management mindset to keep everyone where they want to be.

But truly where do they need to be? This is one of those instances where need and want may not match up. And as always, may the needs win.

And what about my day job?

Been back to work for over a week and we are right back into step. She says don't tell me you like your job. And I reply a bit over enthusiastically that I love my job. And she says that she knew I would say that.

Today, I brought in my high school (old) flute and played Christmas carols. They flattered me by singing along. There will be a repeat performance tomorrow. I might even take requests...

I love my job! Eggactly correct! Life, work, Christmas ornaments: They are what you make of them.

Photo from the farm

Enough said.

Tis the Season

Elevator Speech

Heard this term a few weeks ago. Been thinking about it ever since. When teaching Freshman Chemistry, I repeatedly lectured: Freshman Chem is an overview of everything you will ever need to know in Chemistry. Learn it now. Know it later. It all repeats. It's all math. Pure and simple.

 
Now teaching Confirmation I, I find myself with a similar in size retort, but so much more important. It's all about Honoring God. In everything you do.

 That's it.

 

For two years that is the soul (intentional spelling mistake) subject matter.

Mooooo..... I know you

Many of the calves, especially the seven known as the boys, are well and able to go out into the herd. The other day, walking out by one of the pastures a calf walked towards me mooing like crazy. At first I was puzzled. Surprised to see so many youngsters outside. And then it dawned on me. They were my buddies from the barn. And this handsome dude was trotting over to say hello.

Yes, I know you.

Good bye sweet Nat

An early morning trip to the farm to start a quiet day. Only to discover poor Natalie down. Not eating. Not responding. The farm hands said she had been slipping for two days. Her end near, I sat down in the hay to stroke her head and rub her chin. Speaking softly. Telling her she is a beautiful girl. Such a beautiful girl. Such a love. Rubbing her. Keeping her warm with blankets.

Being a volunteer I had no other responsibilities. I didn't have to fed anyone, clean up after anyone, or make bottles.

Being unpaid frees me to just love them.

Christmas is still about Jesus

One of the absolute best things about December is the Christmas play. The rehearsals, the repeated listening to the music CD and running lines. The play this year is Just Believe. The girls are singing from sun up till sun down. Without realizing it, disguised in fun, they are learning Christmas is all about Jesus. Of course this isn't a new concept. But with all the frantic hype to shop till you drop it's wonderful to have this strong under current of truth. Great for this mom as well.

The first and foremost Christmas Story deserving of a Major Award! And FRAGILE!

Today's progress

The dark background is a purple patchwork of hue and texture. The central cross is slated to be clear. Note the wounds are mirrors.

Love Note

My client and I discovered this note in his sweater pocket. Written by a grand daughter.

So Many Pieces

So little time. But with any task, slow and steady wins the race.

It would be nice to find an indoor heated venue to do the grinding. Can't grind glass in the cold. It will shatter. Maybe something will become available.

Slow and steady.

Two Thumbs Up!

Progress has many scales of measure.