Let Christmas Unfold as it Does

It hasn’t been the pre-Christmas season I’d imagined.

I’ve been ill with a cold which morphed into sinusitis, complicated by adverse reactions to another procedure’s prerequisite meds. But, it will end. I’ll get better. I’ll live.

I’ve done no baking this year as I didn’t think anyone would want my green-gold seasonally coloured snot anywhere near their food. Prior to getting sick, I had made my own Christmas cards and written all the inside notes. I added quotes to the cards and discovered some which spoke to my own feeling-sorry-for-myself state of mind.

“Don’t spoil Christmas by anticipating how it will be.

Let it unfold as it does,
and be grateful for whatever comes.”    Tori Sorenson

So I am grateful for:

lots of rest

outside Christmas decorations done in early November

the invention of tissues

a tree finally decorated

daughters who helped with shopping

antibiotics

Gary’s care

reduced expectations

I look forward to feeling well again soon and being able to smell the fragrance of the fir tree, warmed by the fireplace.  And, I remind myself of the words of Dr. Seuss. “Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.”

I’ll be grateful for whatever Christmas offers this year.

Message

The crow's voice sounds clear

in the cold. A pigeon lies

 dead on the snow.

Words and photos copyright 2015 Carol Steel

It's Still Winter

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Shimmering

We opened the curtains this morning and saw drifts of snow shimmering.  I've hankered after photos of the snow glittering in early light, but have not succeeded in capturing one, the perfect one, yet. 

Let me explain.  Snow sparkles...on frigid days...in slanted light.  This means I have the opportunity to take these photos on bitter mornings.  There is a problem.  I cannot hold the camera without shivering, therefore moving...on cold mornings.  Shaky camera equals blurry photos.

Gary offered to go outside, as he didn't mind the cold as much.  For a half hour, he wandered the yard taking photos.  He was in and out of the house.  He came in to check on the results and to warm the camera, then back out.

We will have to try again as nothing he photographed did justice to the silvery shimmer of the morning.  He took pictures of our ducks, as they waited for him to stop fooling with the camera and bring out their food.

The ducks were patient and sat watching, while he meandered, snapping photos.  They were thinking, " Hey, it's cold, man is it cold.  Could you throw the food and forget about the sparkly snow?"  

He did.  We'll capture the perfect photo another day.  By "we", I mean Gary.  I'll be cheering for him from inside where it's warm.

Photos were taken by Gary.  Words are mine.