I am snow very happy!

I absolutely love the snow! Love it! And I know this puts me in radically thin company this time of year. About 10 minutes after the first snowflake showed up in late November, people started complaining about the snow and wishing winter away. Granted, some friends of mine here in NJ were a little more even minded and enjoyed the post-Christmas blizzard since it didn't disrupt school or too many travel plans. Here in the Northeast, we take snow with a grain of salt - we know it is going to happen - so we have salt trucks and snow plows ready for the onslaught. But as the weekly snow storms this January have dumped on average 4-8" (depending upon where you live in NJ) many people I know have grown down-right snow weary and winter fatigued. My friend Tracey has even put Old Man Winter on notice and she plans to drop him like a hot potato and throw him over for Hot Mr. Summer - but with no luck. Because - cue the music for a bass solo -

you know Ol' Man Winter,
That old man winter,
He let's it snow in winter,
But not in the summer,
He just keeps snowing,
He just keeps snowing along!

Well, today's winter storm was something of a 'surprise!' here in NJ. Even though we've been hearing about it for close on for a week or so, weather models over the weekend predicted a wintry mess of rain and sleet. Presently it is doing that outside right now. Yesterday, nearly every weather model out there forecast that the precip would be light this morning and pick up its intensity this afternoon. And that just didn't happen. It started snowing before dawn and the morning rush hour was awful. Plows and spreaders were scrambling because they trusted the weather prognosticators. But as my brother says to his summer lifeguarding staff wondering about thunderstorms headed for the pool he manages, "You can't predict the future, only rely on the past to guide your guesses". But no one guessed that there would be 4" of snow on the ground by 8:30 this morning. So I don't blame Tracey or a former pastor of mine who is ready to take a snow shovel to the person he finds out has been praying for snow. I do try and keep a low profile about how much I enjoy this kind of weather by not constantly advertising how much I enjoy weather like this - and Mike, I promise, it really wasn't me saying those prayers!Some snow haters might think I like the snow so much because I don't have to deal with the hardships or downside of a winter storm. But I've had my share of terrifying and life changing moments in snow storms. Once my car was nearly totaled in a single vehicle car accident during the Blizzard of '96 (and I remain forever grateful to my cousin Steve for rescuing me and my car!) I also experienced a memorable 8 hours driving my car with frozen windshield fluid through Kentucky and West Virginia in a steady snow. The whole drive, my friend Kulli, an international student from Estonia, calmly read a book in the passenger seat next to me would occasionally look up and say "It really isn't bad yet, is it?" to which I would reply "It'll be your turn to clean the windshield at the next rest stop" where we would both get out, grab handfuls of the cleanest slush we could find and wash the front windshield of the sand, salt and grit thrown up from the tractor trailers crawling alongside us on the interstate. And I have the tragic memory seared into my brain forever of seeing my neighbor on Second Street in Dunellen fallen over in the middle of the sidewalk with a shovel in his hand and then helping to keep his new widow warm and dry in the open garage door while the police waited on the coroner's office office to show up. Even after all these years, my brother can tell by the sound of the phone that I've called to tell him to be very careful for all the snow clean-up he does for his house, his mother-in-law's and our aunt.

Maybe it is because I respect the snow and the potential harm it holds that allows me to love it as much as I do. In several ways, snow is kind of like the ocean: a terrible force able to snuff out life without a moment's notice and yet a tranquil entity that invites you to drink it in and contemplate its vast peaceful beauty. Life slows down in a snowstorm. I think of it as Mother Nature's way of telling us to take a break from the routine of life. So many of us schedule vacations for the summer, but Old Man Winter gets to decide for us that it is time to take stock, hunker down, snuggle up for a bit and ride out the storm. Of course, it is hectic and puts us on edge as we race to the grocery store to stock up on milk, bread and eggs. There's no doubt in my mind that there are more of us (me included) buying these stapes to have them 'just in cases' than those who are of thinking about making French toast as a delightful way to enjoy the storm. There's also a mess to clean up but as we (please be careful and safe out there!) shovel clear our walkways and driveways, there's a new fresh blanket covering the earth, protecting it from winter's harshest furies and renewing the ground for spring.

I've said before on this blog that I love each of the four seasons in their own turn. And as true as that is, I freely admit to have a very soft spot for Old Man Winter having lived in the South for many years and not experiencing my annual dose of snow. One of my favorite Bible verses (and I've blogged about it here ) is Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under heaven" and this morning, my reading of Proverbs 26:1 added a timely twist on Ecclesiastes; "Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool". That speaks to me today, reminding me there's a rhythm to life and the seasons we pass through. Each season does something special in its turn. My parents raised two kids to enjoy winter sports as much as summer swimming and I see my brother instilling that in my niece and nephew. As much as each season threatens peril there is good to be had as well - an opportunity to let go and let God work within us in this season now so we will be ready for the next as it comes in its own turn. Because if there is one thing we do know; one day ol' man winter won't be snowing, he'll just be rolling along.

Because this fence line looks so good in the snow,
I couldn't limit myself to just one picture.

I Love my Mac!

I am a very happy Apple customer! I love the MacBook I saved for and purchased this summer on a student discount. I find all sorts of used for the free iPod that came with the student discount too - even though I haven't downloaded more than 3 apps (and yes, for those of you wondering, I have even used my iPod as a flashlight a time or two!). Also, I get every pennies worth of knowledge and help during my 'one to one' sessions with an Apple teacher nearly each week. This morning, my instructor was Anthony, one of the half dozen guys who get to answer my questions, show me neat features and sometimes gently remind me of things I forgot. Each one of the guys I regularly work with is wonderful and have helped make the Apple experience all that much better. Today Anthony helped me work out a bunch of kinks I accidentally created on the new blog I plan to launch soon through MobileMe, Apple's web service, which is another product I absolutely love. There's nothing wrong with this blog site at all - but I am loving some of the flexibility I get use to layout photos and movies and stuff that it might be time for a change. Don't worry, I'll let you know when it happens - till then, stay tuned!

Baby, it's cold outside

When I lived in North Carolina and the car I had bought out of college was tiring of being driven (it had over 320,000 miles on it) I bought a friend out of her leased vehicle. It seemed like the perfect solution at the time for both of us. I wasn't in the headache of car shopping and she was ready to return to her Michigan roots and buy a Mustang in celebration of completing her master's degree at Duke. (Somehow I've missed out on celebrating the completion of my two masters degrees by buying a car to commemorate the milestones in my education - but that's getting away from the story.) The Honda has served me well and its been a smart buy - until I moved back to NJ a few years later to earn my 2nd masters at Princeton Seminary. By mid-November, I discovered on the 30+ minute commute the drawback to having leather seats - they are cold!! and a long ride in the morning can bring a chill that lasts throughout the day. The problem was solved that year at Christmas when Santa delivered sheepskin seat covers. They are wonderful regardless of the season. But this winter, either the sheepskin is getting a little worn or age is settling in for me, because I'm beginning to dream about my next car and the heated seats it will have. But being a perpetual student working on her third graduate degree, I am not in the market for a vehicle with said heated seats anytime soon. A little ingenuity was necessary if I am going to make it through the winter.....

And a solution was found - in the form of the rice/rye filled sacks often used for tired and aching sore muscles. In my case, I heat up the pad in the microwave as I dash outside to start the car to let the vehicle warm up for a few minutes on days when the thermometer's mercury plunges to icy levels.

Then, when the car is warmed up and when I am ready to head out, I remove the pad from the microwave and arrange it just so on the seat. This tartan rice/rye blanket is long enough that when I sit down, I have an extra little flap that can be tucked up between the seat and the lumbar region of my spine. Nice and toasty for luxury driving on my morning commute - and best part is that I can heat it up in the microwave for the ride home in the evening. Not every girl has custom manually removable heated seats - and I bet you won't find this option on just any car on the sales floor of your local dealership!

There is one upside to single digit temperatures....

Within 15 minutes, the temperature has doubled!

Can you call a rainbow in January

a snowbow? Just wondering. Even if it is still a rainbow,
(because technically there was a passing rain shower)
it was pretty neat to see one with snow on the ground.

In my opinion

This would make a great Christmas card. If I actually sent Christmas cards, I'd consider using this shot. But normally I send Thanksgiving cards.....what do you think the chances are I could get a turkey to wobble his gobbler and pose for me?

I love snow!

Maybe its because I lived in the South for a few years and missed my annual dose of winter. Or maybe it's because when we were kids, our parents would take us to Maine for a long weekend to build snow igloos and go skiing. Or maybe because I just love the fact there are four seasons to enjoy and savor throughout the year.
Regardless of why it maybe, I just think if it is going to be cold, there ought to be snow on the ground. And whether or not Mother Nature can help provide the blanket of snow, I'll make sure there is one inside for me to enjoy on a cold winter's evening.

It is cold out there!

and I was too much of a wimp to go identify the bird, squirrel, dog, deer, and human footprints crisscrossing in the snow. At least if it is going to be cold, there's a pretty blanket of snow to enjoy.

Another view from the bridge

In August, I took a picture of this view from the bridge at Somerset Christian College. Well, it doesn't quite look the same now at the beginning of the spring semester...and it doesn't quite look like it is the spring semester yet....and by the time this accelerated class finishes the last week of February it won't even be spring yet!

The Ninth Day of Christmas

is a little sad...Mother Nature is putting away her current blanket of snow. Can't wait till she brings back a new one!

Christmas Eve

Adestes fideles, laetri triumphantes;
venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte Regem angelorum,
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
venite adoremus, Dominum

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the king of angels,
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb,
Son of the Father, begotten, not created,
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exhultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will tither bend our joyful footsteps
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee with love and awe.
Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly,
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore hum,
O come, let us adore hum, Christ the Lord!

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child,
Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light,
with the angels sing, alleluia to our King
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

I found the pickle on the Christmas Tree! Whooohooo!

It's not tattooed on the back of my neck!

It appears there is a war on Christmas and it is fought on many fronts and has new tactics each year. Someone told me the war on Christmas began when some retail chains decided to their policy of no solicitation and wouldn't let charities do their annual fund drive outside their stores. Others report that the war on Christmas happened when some companies decided to have holiday sales rather than Christmas sales in December. And I've even heard the war on Christmas is because some merchants won't wish their customers a "Merry Christmas" during the month of December. This last battle is being fought down in Texas by a large church that is placing offensive merchants on a 'naughty' list while placing stores who say "Merry Christmas" to their customers on the 'nice' list. I think I know many Christians who cringe at this response and just want to say, "Jesus needs better PR!".

I guess I am just oblivious - or I was taken as an early prisoner when I was a kid. I grew up in Central suburban New Jersey. Since childhood, I've had Yom Kippar and Rosh Hashanah off from public school along with Easter and Christmas. In grade school, we traced oak-tag patterns to cut Christmas stockings and Chanukah dreidels out of construction paper to decorate the classroom. Santa Claus came to our school and handed out candy canes to EVERYONE, even the Jewish kids! (It was our Jehovah's Witness classmates that were sent on 'errands' out of the classroom and down the hall shortly before Santa made his appearance so they wouldn't violate their church doctrine about celebrations).
In the neighboring town of Dunellen, huge wooden figures and the words "Season's Greetings" were spelled out on the town's green. In the early days of December, it was with torturous anticipation that Jim and I would beg Mom or Dad to make a detour to see if the festive elves, candy canes and Santa's sleigh was on display yet. (And until I was an Auntie, I never realized how much the driver was looking forward to seeing how much of the town was decorated).

Well, I made a major detour today to see what was on Dunellen's town square. I was disappointed to find out that the giant red wooden signs that spelled out "Season's Greetings" I remember from childhood are no longer a part of the decor....BUT I was thrilled to see that all of the parking meters in town are covered with little plastic baggies to let shoppers park for free as they shop downtown. And it wasn't because I had some shopping to do. It's because I have absolutely no problem when a merchant says to me "Have a nice holiday" as I leave their store. How is the merchant supposed to know I am a Christian and am doing my Christmas shopping? Despite what a classic Monty Python's sketch infers, my religious affiliation is not tattooed on the back of my neck. Since my brief interaction with a salesclerk is not likely to illicit a protracted conversation about what holiday I'm celebrating this month, I am not faulting the cashier or the company they work for because I am offered a generic holiday greeting that has been used since greeting cards came into style.

Don't get me wrong, I do like being wished a "Merry Christmas". And when that greeting comes from a person working in a church's gift shop or is offered by the clerk in a Christian bookstore I try to return it with as much warmth and meaning as I did when I exchanged greetings with the cashier in the secular store - because I hope we all enjoy a wonderful time celebrating time with family and friends. But when I am wished a "Merry Christmas" by the clerks who I purchase from all year long, persons with whom my purchase is more than just a random momentary encounter, "Merry Christmas" takes on a special quality, because hopefully what they know is that I am a Christian - and not because they know it is tattooed on the back of my neck - but by the person and witness to Christ I've been all year long. After all, doesn't that little song say "And they will know we are Christians by our love"?

Just what are we waiting for?

Traditionally, on the third Sunday in Advent, the pink candle, or the "Mary" Candle is lit. I've been hosting an Advent hymn study each Sunday evening this season at Sergeanstville UMC. In the center of our dinner table (we enjoy a mug of soup with our study) is this Advent wreath that I've lugged from Kentucky to Virginia to New Jersey without ever lighting the square pillar candles in the five years I've owned it. This year, I decided, it was finally time to light them.

What was I waiting for all these years by not lighting them? I don't really know exactly. I like the candles and that is precisely why I bought them when I saw them (besides the fact I knew they would go with a wreath and some decorations I already possessed). Maybe I never lit them the last couple of years because during the rush and crush of the end of the fall semester I wasn't interested in lighting one candle one week without being able to follow through and light the rest that Advent season. Maybe I didn't want to waste the candles on just me alone to enjoy them. Maybe I didn't want to burn them and then not have them in pristine condition for the next year. For whatever reasons I've subconsciously harbored the past five years, this is the year that I decided that they should be lit - and it's bonus points to be able to enjoy them with a small group of people each Sunday evening as we discuss Advent hymns and consider what it is that we are expecting at the start of the church year as we anticipate the arrival of the Christ child in the nativity at Christmas.

This evening we examined "Hail to the Lord's Anointed" written by James Montgomery in 1821. Granted, its a little more obscure than the last two we discussed (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus and O Come, O Come Emmanuel). And the reason that might be (I am totally guessing here) is that this hymn really focuses on the other Advent we expect and wait for - the second and final triumphant coming of Christ. This hymn makes no reference to the birth of Jesus and does not really conjure up Christmas like visions of sugar plums or even idyllic pageants with kids wearing robes and cloaks pretending to be characters in the Nativity scene. Montgomery's hymn goes straight to the heart of what Christians believe Jesus will do when he comes again - bring mercy, end strife, break oppression and let peace reign throughout all creation. And though those ideas are linked to the baby born in Bethlehem, mostly we project them more on the man that baby eventually came and the ministry he inaugurated. In his hymn, Montgomery invites us to look past Bethlehem, look past Galilee, look past Jerusalem, look past even the passion, death and resurrection of Christ to the time when he comes again...when sorrow and sadness are no more. This hymn in my opinion - and admittedly its one I've barely ever sung in my lifetime - picks up the themes that are latent in our other Advent hymns and Christmas carols: there are really, really, really good things coming, things like joy to the world, peace on earth, and good will among all people. But now, in the meantime, we aren't simply stuck in the darkness on our own waiting for Christ to come rescue us. Advent candles remind us the light of God already shines in our lives and when we share it with others we know a little of that joy, peace and good will. Right now we only know it in glimpses and in part. And one day we will know it totally and for all eternity.

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captives free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.

He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him, on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever, that name to us is love.

Tis the Season

for eggnog ice cream! The only way it could be better than this is to live in Ohio and have Graeter's egg nog ice cream freshly churned in the french pot paddle cream process done 2 gallons at a time. But that option is not feasible right now (and if you know anything about current events in Kentucky, you know that Graeter's ice cream parlors closed statewide about two weeks ago). I've never been forced to ship Graeter's to my locale here on the East Coast - I prefer to go to a parlor with friends when I visit the western edge of the time zone. So, when in Jersey in the month of December, I am happy with the option Turkey Hill provides. It's creamy and tastes better than the liquid variety - homemade or even some commercial varieties available in the diary section. It's not Graeter's - but then, nothing else really is.

Evening's fuel

I still have plenty of work in front of me before I call it quits for the night. Yet, I am doing a happy dance because it is December and that means I get to enjoy a seasonal favorite - a cup of Comfort and Joy Tea. I have been sticking to my no sweetener rule successfully since May, but I might just cave with this tea. I think the sugar helps enhance the flavored holiday spices. Or I just might be craving candy and looking for a sugar rush to help get the paperwork done.

Evenings like this

make me glad that I live at The Homestead during this season of my life. I spent the day shivering in an erratically heated building with a bunch of other Methodist clergy (hmmm, I suppose that means you might say the building was strangely warmed!). So it was wonderful to return to The Homestead and find a fire in the fireplace. I think flannel pjs and a cup of hot cocoa are on the agenda to accompany the annual viewing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on television this evening.

Advent - waiting for what is to come

This evening I am leading an Advent hymn study on "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", a traditional carol that has been a part of Christian hymnody since the 9th century. Last week we studied "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" written some 250 years ago by Charles Wesley. It's no mistake that these two hymns begin with the word 'come' because Advent means "to come". Most Advent hymns revolve around the theme of waiting and preparing and being expectant about what is coming. Christmas is coming. It isn't here yet. I hate to break it to you folks, but regardless of what the merchandisers tell you and the cacophony of Christmas carols and songs on the radio, Christmas has not come yet. But it will be here soon - it's just not now - it's still coming!

And what is coming is so good, we can't wait for it to begin to celebrate. We allow ourselves to start to celebrate a little early. I don't think that is entirely a bad thing either. After all, is it really possible to contain all the joy and love that Christmas represents in a 12 day festival? The other evening, I watched "A Christmas Carol" with my sister-in-law Lorraine and was intrigued by the use of the word 'come' in the Christmas morning scene when Scrooge had learned his lesson about celebrating and keeping Christmas. In the Disney movie, the carolers are singing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come" because it is finally Christmas. The waiting is over, the celebrations begin, the earth rejoices, and on that first day of Christmas our true love gives us a partridge in a pear tree.

But for now it's still Advent. Time to wait for what is coming. Time to prepare. Two more Sundays to light the Advent wreath. Today is December 5th and that almost 20 more days of opening little cardboard doors on daily Advent calendars to see what is behind them. Almost twenty more days of pinning little ornaments to the daily Advent calendar. Almost three more weeks of waiting for what is to come. And no one ever said waiting was easy - especially when we are excited about what is coming.

Waiting for Christmas each year is hard. It's hard on kids excited to see what gifts Santa is going to put under the tree. It's hard on adults wondering if the expectations for the holiday will be met. It's especially hard on those of us who have lost a loved one when we realize that this year we won't be celebrating with someone we've loved deeply and we suddenly miss that person with agonizing acuteness that threatens to deaden the whole holiday. But Advent calls us to wait for what is coming. But it doesn't ask us to wait passively; it calls us to wait expectantly. Appropriately, each stanza of today's hymn captures the excruciating labor of waiting for extraordinarily wondrous Emmanuel - the 'God who is with us' - that is still to come.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go.

O Come, O Come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe

O Come thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of the people be;
before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on they mercy call.

O Come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home.
The captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep misery.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heard and mind.
From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife.

Exciting times!

Today, my afternoon errands brought me into the neighborhood of the niece and the nephew. When I drove up, they were all sorts of excited because they were putting the finishing touches on their Christmas lawn decorations. Even before I got out of the car, I was pestered with questions about the lights, the wreath and the trees. In fine Auntie form, I managed to look right past the obvious and ask about the poor pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and corn stalks that had been replaced. After a quick pose by one of the trees, I got a personal tour of the back yard....

and was allowed to see where the pumpkin was composting the garden. I was also invited to come jump on the pumpkins. On account of the fact that I had on fancy boots, I declined.

When you are a five year old, the squishy, yucky, messy things are some of the greatest things on earth.

First Sunday in Advent - Waiting in Hope

Advent begins today. It's the first season of the Christian calendar prior to the 12 Days of Christmas which begin December 25th. Advent means 'coming' and is a celebrated each Sunday by lighting four successive candles which symbolize the coming of light into the world at the birth of Jesus the Christ on Christmas Day. It's my absolutely favorite season of the liturgical year and has been since I was a little girl and purchased this little brass calendar with my Nana for the grand price of 15 cents. Obviously, my cherished Advent calendar needs a little cleaning and proper candles if I'm going to be able to use it the rest of the season.
And that is appropriate - because Advent is about preparing; preparing ourselves and organizing our lives in such a way that we are ready to not just celebrate the Christmas holiday, but preparing ourselves and organizing our lives in ways that tell the world that as Christians, we proclaim Jesus Christ to be not just Infant Holy, Infant Lowly but King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Traditionally, the first candle of the Advent season symbolizes hope, expressed poetically by the words of Charles Wesley in 1744;

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thy own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Awaiting Advent

Thanksgiving 2010 is one for the books. It was a wonderful day of family and friends gathered from near and far here at the Homestead and thanks to cell phones and Skype, we got a couple more gathered in as well. Today I did nothing spectacular other than play Auntie to two overnight visitors and I ventured no farther than the garage to empty the recycling and snap a photo of these remaining, resilient leaves refusing to 'leaf' their perch. It's been a good day to hunker down and nurse the headache that I've held at bay all week long that came with the family cold we've been passing around since last weekend.

As I recuperate from the busyness of the week, I am prepping for my favorite season of the church year - Advent. It's the beginning of the calendar for the Christian Church and I've come to a place where I wonder how much we really celebrate and savor this special four week season culminating in Christmas. This morning as my niece and nephew played, we talked about counting down to Christmas using Advent calendars, which is a traditional gift I give them every year at Thanksgiving. I didn't go into deep theology with them, but discussed some of my most cherished memories of having to wait until the third Sunday in Advent to begin to decorate the house for Christmas when their daddy and I were their age. Now, my parents weren't and aren't Christmas cranks - indeed, some of you readers may know my father works as a secret agent for the North Pole! However, when we were kids, at the end of the Thanksgiving Parade, when we saw Santa arrive in Herald Square, we understood that Christmas was coming - not that Christmas was here. There was still a full month to go about our business of school, swim team, scouts and other activities all the while beginning to make room for the coming 12 days of Christmas which starts on December 25th.
Over the next four weeks, my posts may take on a more reflective and introspective nature as my studies and schedules allow. Why? Quite simple. I'll be making my case for Advent; why we wait, how we wait and what it is we are all waiting for.