Out my window everyone is all rush, rush, rush…go here, go there, rush over there, than back home. I watch as a carousel of humans stream in and out of the bank parking lot, which constitutes my view.

It’s a rainy Saturday in The Village.

As I sit here writing this, all I can think about is… “I don’t want to go out in that“. Ugh !!!

So I spent a good half hour taking shots of my Orchid blooms… a lovely distraction… these little gems brighten an otherwise dreary, rainy day.

Christmas mayhem at its Canadian peak.

 I have to admit, I’m not in the HOLIDAY SPIRIT this year, yet. Often times it strikes about 7PM on Christmas Eve…as friends and family alike gather, and you start to hear the sirens of the fire trucks echoing across the river…as Christmas music goes in and out of earshot. We are awaiting the arrival of the Dodge XMAS Eve parade. With dear St. Nick pulling up the rear of this raggle taggle troupe of reindeer’s, and Rudolph and of course Santa yelling out “HO HO HO…MERRY CHRISTMAS”…all through the village.

As the sun now begin its slow journey across the universe, we are pulled into its light. Through the dark passages of winter, we gather to honour community, family and connection. Whether ye believe, and whatnot, tis a time of high feeling and transitions and stories, gatherings and food.

Some would make it more, or less, but regardless of what we may label it, the songs remain the same.

I often find this time of year stressful, as I’m rarely prepared. It usually creeps up on me, like a shadow,  and then… IT’s CHRISTMAS       BOO !!!

Today, I am ready for it, no sneaking up this year. I prefer to keep my life simple, and of course this time of year means spending money. I’m lucky enough that my shopping can be completed mere blocks away from my front door. These wee tokens of my affection are meaningful and locally bought, which means I am giving BACK to my community as well. I afterwards just whisk across the road for groceries, and ALL done.

Whew !!! Home Sweet Home.

I have no decorations up inside, just some cedar branches at my stoop, cut from the hedge, with some pretty green ribbon I’ve kept. So sitting alongside the Gargoyle, is of course the Cement Pond frog, and the Gnarl completes the menagerie that greets you at my front door. This vignette will hold all winter long, and just give the stoop an understated elegance.

TODAY will be a day of dishes, music, and perhaps some dancing… as I get my little lair ready for the new year that is upon us. With my pirate smile this year, I can’t imagine I’ll be going that far from my den… watch some Time Team (if there are any left I haven’t seen yet) and watch online the ball drop in Time Square. OR… perhaps if I’m brave (or bored) I’ll head down to the Park and bring in the New Year amongst pretty lights and people.

THE WINTER SOLSTICE

The solstice itself may have been a special moment of the annual cycle of the year even during neolithic times. Astronomical events, which during ancient times controlled the mating of animals, sowing of crops and metering of winter reserves between harvests, show how various cultural mythologies and traditions have arisen. This is attested by physical remains in the layouts of late Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological sites, such as Stonehenge in Britain and Newgrange in Ireland. The primary axes of both of these monuments seem to have been carefully aligned on a sight-line pointing to the winter solstice sunrise (Newgrange) and the winter solstice sunset (Stonehenge). Significant in respect of Stonehenge is the fact that the Great Trilithon was erected outwards from the centre of the monument, i.e., its smooth flat face was turned towards the midwinter Sun. [ WIKIPEDIA ]