The Third Act

december 21

Happy Winter Solstice!!  Welcoming back the light.  But I won't mind if it gets cold again (balmy day here in Richmond VA).

 

 

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december 20

All my creative energy has been going into holiday oriented activity...food, decorating, wrapping.  In addition there's the mundane tasks like, well, cleaning and bringing in wood (and taking Avery for walkies).  It was totally dreary today, so being inside cooking and puttering has been a good thing.  We did manage to get out for a decent walk before the rain came on with intensity.

That being the case, I've not worked on art for some time.  That feels...weird and unsettling in a way.  But it seems to be the natural course of things this time of year.

 

 

 

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december 19

Pierogi making today.  I tend to forget how time consuming it can be, making fillings, making dough, rolling, filling etc.  But I got it done!  I've put the filled but uncooked pierogis in the freezer to make it quick and easy on Christmas eve to cook them.  I still have quite a long list of things to do, although I'm at the point of being ready to have some supper, call it a day, and get up early tomorrow morning to carry on.

I think about all the things I do when I'm doing them, and try to connect to the emotional energy behind it all.  It's a way for me to feel part of some kind of continuity, to feel purpose, to feel love in the sharing and delight in creation.  Sure, I might push a little hard, but I'm also learning to let go of things if the output doesn't give enough returns (which is based on a completely personal energetic within myself).

 

 

 

 

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december 18

It was a good day.  Good visiting with friends.  Good shopping for small gifts.  Good walks with dogs (of various sizes).  

I'm remembering to count my blessings and to try to step out of my often times confined perspective.

I like this time of year, not just because of the holidays, but because of the sense of fresh energy as the year turns over. 

 

 

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december 17

One week until Christmas eve and I marvel at how time slips by.  My preparations for the holiday and my lovely guests (my kids, yay!) are progressing well.  I keep changing things up with the intention of more time to visit and hang out and less time fussing over things.  It should be fun.

In that vein, I've been adding to a Christmas album on my Flickr page.  I love that I've kept this visual diary of the holidays over the years (well, at least the ones in which I've been keeping digital account...I've yet to go through all the very old prints I have stashed).  Although it sounds cliche, it does warm my heart.  And while it's certainly bittersweet since many of the photos feature my old home and the situation at the time, I consider it a useful exercise to simply open to all the goodness that was there and continues to be.

 

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december 16

I’m getting things accomplished as the holiday moves closer. I finished putting up some decorations that had been laying about, got rooms tidied, made lists and did a bit of mundane shopping. My choices today were dictated by tasks I could address while not stressing my back (since I seriously tweaked it carrying in firewood yesterday). So now I’m laying with a hot pad underneath me posting this from my phone, because that’s how I roll (as the kids say).

 

 

 

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december 15

Only the last vestiges of snow...

 

 

 

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december 14

The snow is almost melted now.  It stuck around for a good three days.  It was nice to get a taste of what a white Christmas might be.

The rain is now starting and melting is really getting going.  I treated myself to a dinner out at Laure Lee's this evening.  On the way home, I stopped by one of the most decorated houses in my neighborhood (as far as I've seen).

It was a productive day...fruitcake, candied peel and chocolate dipped candied peel finished.  The holiday is fast approaching and there's lots more to do.  The rest of this evening, however, will consist of a Christmas movie and enjoying the tree until it's bed time.

 

 

 

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december 13

I've been chipping away at Christmas prep.  It's been hit or miss.  Since my return from California after my mom's funeral, I've been contending with some disconcerting physical issues (I'm thinking that there's a strong emotional component at play...).  Consequently, my health anxiety has been gradually creeping up.  Ugh.  But, I try to keep moving and getting things done.  Yesterday I got my candied peel going and finished it up today, drying it off in front of the wood stove.  After that, all the fruit and nuts (candied peel included) got chopped up for fruitcake and the mix is now macerating in a liberal dose of dark rum.

I don't like to complain on here...to detail my struggles.  I try to keep it positive.  Hence, when you don't see a lot (word wise), it's either because I'm wonderfully busy, or just keeping my head above water!

 

 

 

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december 12

Sometimes grief is not only about what is lost...but what we hoped for and never received...

 

 

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