My poor daughter has another nasty cold, 36 hours after a major and lengthy trip to the orthodontist. That’s the only place we’ve been lately. Hmmm… Next time I’ll dose her up with echinacea.
David
Category: Illustration
Poetic Journey of the Magi
In honor of Carl Sandburg (1878-1967).
For another take on Epiphany, please see The Three Wise Women.
Nathan
New Year’s Resolution: OoM
You can’t open a newspaper or peruse the new book shelves at the library without coming across yet further evidence of the many benefits of meditation: stronger immune systems, lower stress levels, greater serenity, improved relationships… world peace! May this be the year.
For another resolution, please see Declutter.
New Year’s Resolution: Garden
Every year I plan to be organized enough to start our vegetables INDOORS instead of succumbing to the purchase of seedlings at the garden center. I’ve managed it only twice, but I remain hopeful. The beautiful High Mowing Organic Seeds catalogue just arrived in the mail, with its tempting photographs of artichokes, fennel, and ornamental gourds… items I know will never be seen in our tiny, semi-shaded Mid-Atlantic garden unless they fall out of the grocery bag on the way to the house. However, those Japanese greens and Red Russian kale look pretty interesting.
I still have time. (And so do you!)
Winter Solstice/Lunar Eclipse
So… did you get up to see it this time?
Advent IV: Wrapped in sleep
Here is a verse we sometimes say during Advent before dinner, or as part of our homeschool lesson opening exercises.
Now the twilight of the year Comes, and Christmas draweth near. See, across the Advent sky How the clouds move quietly. Earth is waiting, wrapped in sleep, Waiting in a silence deep. Birds are hid in bush and reed Flowers are sleeping in their seed.
Now the twilight of the year Comes, and Christmas draweth near. See, across the Advent sky How the clouds move quietly. Earth is waiting, wrapped in sleep, Waiting in a silence deep. Birds are hid in bush and reed Flowers are sleeping in their seed.
Through the woodland to and fro Silent-footed creatures go. Hedgehog curled in prickly ball Burrows beneath the leaves that fall. Man and beast and bird and flower Waiting for the midnight hour Waiting for the infant’s birth Down from Heaven, onto Earth.
—Ann Ellerton
This image is available as a high-resolution print on 8.5″ x 11″ archival paper.
Season of Waiting
Making a List, Checking it Twice
Funny Guy
Today is the Feast of Santa Lucia, but I woke up with a nasty flu (ugh) so instead of baking Luciabrød, as was my plan, it’s a period of enforced foodless inactivity.
However, it is also the birthday of Dick Van Dyke (b. 1925), who has a long and illustrious career in film and television (as well as a sideline in barbershop quartet and 3D animation—who knew?). But I got to know him through reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show, a cultural touchstone of my childhood and probably the cleverest and most intelligently funny sitcom of its day, certainly ahead of its time (1961-1966) in its approach to religious and racial issues. Some years back I introduced it to my children on DVD, and as a result he has two new young faithful fans.
So tonight we’ll celebrate by watching a favorite episode. You can too, by going to hulu for a free download. Happy Birthday, Dick Van Dyke! Thanks for the joy and laughter you have brought to my childhood and now to my children’s. As the saying goes, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Advent III: Woollies
As Christmas approaches, secret projects are taking shape.
Nick
Noah