...Not A Creature Was Stirring

May this night find all men brothers,
And on equal with their sisters.
May the lion lie down with the lamb,
And wake to challenge the day as one.
May love hold sway in the world,
And death be on a holiday.
May we greet the dawn together,
And rejoice being all children of God.
Merry Christmas and Peace to All!

Twas The Night Before...

Christmas is the time that we traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but it seems that this holiday is now serving a more secular, but equally important, need in our hectic, chaotic lives. At least for my family, the one aspect of this time of year that we treasure above all else is the closeness of family and being together for just a few precious moments during the year where we focus on nothing else but each other. Yes, I well know the traditional comment about Christmas being "all about the family", but for the majority I believe that this has taken a back seat to the more ritualistic and materialistic aspects of the holiday, at least in recent years. Perhaps it took my failed marriage and new life that physically seperates me from most of my family and, most importantly, my children, to make me realize just how much I took for granted having my family close about me. I could very easily write this whole "phenomenon" off to nostalgia and a resultant melancholic attitude if I did not see and hear of increasing numbers of people expressing the same sentiments. Could it be that we have finally so dis-comboobalated our everyday lives and allowed the more mundane facets of it to so occupy all of our available time that we are now stuck in a self-contrived existance that only allows us the time to pay attention to family and close friends once a year? I will concede that this is taking an extremely pessimistic view on our current reality, but perhaps it is closer than any of us realize, or perhaps it is our being aware of just how close we are to that reality that drives the recent appreciation for the really important things in our lives.

All that I really know is that I happily find myself this holiday with my children close about me and those whom I love, but cannot be with, held even closer in my heart. To those dear and distant, my thoughts and love are with you always, no matter the distance that seperates us or the length of time that we must endure being apart, for it is the love that we share that will endure beyond all else...and you know, it REALLY is a wonderful life, after all!

Merry Christmas and may God bless us, every one!

Three Days and Counting

It is just a little less than three days before Victoria and John are here for Christmas. Perhaps it is because this is Victoria's last Christmas before she becomes an adult and has her own life to live, or maybe it is just that the more that time passes, the more I realize just how precious each passing day is. Regardless, I find myself eagerly anticipating their arrival and am certain that we shall enjoy a most joyous Christmas this year. Gleðileg Jól, y'all!

[Listening to: My Immortal - Evanescence - Fallen (04:24)]

Fur-Free For Life...Now!!!

OMG...watch this ONLY if you have a strong stomach! I have seen hundreds of dead and dying people in my life, and have been literally covered in blood and gore, but this is one of the most shocking things that I have ever seen. My heartfelt thanks to Tegan and Sara (via PETA) for making me aware of these horrific practices. I have never been much of a supporter of the anti-fur movement, until now. May God have mercy on these scumbags' souls...because I have none for them!




Get free stickers at peta2.com

Snjór!!!

I can not imagine time more enjoyably spent than that on a night time walk through a countryside blanketed with the first snow of the season. The lights of the city reflecting off of the white mantle of snow suffuse the hills with a soft, chill glow that lights my way as I wander the peaceful solitude of the night. The world at once seems to take pause, slowing in its hectic pace just a bit, preparing perhaps for its approaching long, cold slumber that will only end with the distant, warmth breath of spring. Indeed, Father Frost is upon the threshold and the fire in the hearth is smoldering low...Yule draws nigh...winter is come.