Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Last Moon of 2009


These photos were taken this evening when I came home from town. I was excited to take my first moon shots with my new Canon - and was not disappointed with my initial attempts. These photos are unedited, except for some cropping. (Two different shots are posted at birddreams.blogspot.com)
I was across the road, in the pitch dark, using the mailbox like a tripod. I'm sure the people in the cars passing by must have thought I was a crazy lady. And you know? It was exhilarating to be out there, in one of those unlikely moments, doing something I really, really enjoy - and couldn't help but chuckle as I wondered, "Where will my Canon take me in 2010?"

Happy New Year, Everyone! May you have many wonderful adventures throughout 2010!

Monday, December 28, 2009

The Twelve Days of Christmas

After I left home, Christmas never felt quite the same as it did when I was growing up in Nova Scotia. I couldn't quite put my finger on it - I blamed the fact that there wasn't enough snow, too much commercialism, or too much stress.
As a young girl, I remember "feeling" Christmas from Christmas Eve through the New Year and then, celebrating Old Christmas Day or Epiphany, on January 6th, by eating any leftover sweets and putting away the decorations.
This year, I became acquainted with the Twelve Days of Christmas, as recognized by many older denominations within the Christian faith and, suddenly, it made sense! My mother's mother was Anglican (who had come from England with her family) and much of what my mom did in our home, at Christmas, was based on traditions she, too, had grown up with. I didn't realize until this year that these traditions were based on her religious background.
I'm not sure she would have understood it all - I'm not sure I do, but many of my memories around the Christmas season are reflective of what she did in our home.
Oddly enough, this Christmas does feel like what I've been missing and it is accompanied with peace and contentment and deep personal joy. It feels like I "came home."
The song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, has different stories of origin and as many interpretations of the lyrics. What I think is most important, though, is the difference between all the preparation for one day (Christmas) and actually having a "season" when my heart can meditate on and appreciate God coming to us. Like the wisemen, who journeyed to Bethlehem, these twelve days are a time for my own spiritual journey to the King.
During each of the 12 days, I am considering some aspect of my Christian heritage, in relationship to the birth of our Lord. I started out with some of the traditional symbols of the song, i.e., a partridge in a pear tree representing Christ in the cradle and Christ on the cross; two turtle doves representing the Old and New Testaments which tell His-story. But, with each day, my focus becomes more personal, i.e., today, there were many things that came into my life that were unpleasant and unexpected, so when I pulled myself together, I focused my thoughts on the peace that the angels spoke about - "Peace on earth..." and the peace that surpasses all understanding which keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
This is day #4 - the Christmas season has barely begun! So, I invite you to join me on a journey to see the King - to get close to Him, as the kings of old once did.
May this be a memorable Christmas for all!

Friday, December 25, 2009

While Shepherds Watched...

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind
To you and all mankind"

"To you in David's town this day
Is born of David's line
The Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign"

"The heav'nly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid"
Emmanuel - God with us



Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Bells

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away"
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold...
(These bells are on my tree and are gifts from my daughter on Christmas' past.
Photos taken with Panasonic Lumix)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Remembering ~~~

Today, my heart remembers my daughter, Odessa.
March 30, 1982 - December 23, 2005
She walked into heaven's gates from the top of
a mountain where she had been skiing.
She is dearly loved and greatly missed.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Memory and December

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December~
Sir James Matthew Barrie
(creator of Peter Pan)
Photo - Diane Nelson - Panasonic Lumix 12-18-09