Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas... a song by Trans Siberean Orchestra is playing in the background, music sure has changed over the decades I have lived and although I love some of the new stuff I never grow tired of listening to Bing, Elvis or even The Andrew Sisters singing a Christmas tune.

Christmas is a wonderful time isn't it? All the hustle and bustle, the sights and sounds; and the lovely smells too! Funny how just a couple of notes or the whiff or spices can send your mind reeling... stirring echoes of memories within your mind. I have many wonderful memories of Christmas and love to take them out and dust them off once in a while...

Christmas 1969 we were pretty poor that year, the union at the mill was on strike and we were even eating commodities (this was way before food stamps) to help us get by. The other local unions were pitching in and sending trucks of food to help us out but we knew there would not be much Christmas this year.

Some how momma still managed to make it special with homemade goodies which including plenty of cookies and the candy tree with gum drops and wrapped goodies hanging from its branches.

Our TV had been advertising the Kitchen Magican that year and when 2 new presents appeared under the tree daddy told us that the oblong one was a K.M. for our mom and momma told us the long one was a rod and reel for daddy. One Saturday we went to town and Brad and I bought momma kitchen towels and daddy handerkeifs for Christmas.

Christmas morning Santa brought us a few gifts and momma and daddy got the towels and handkerchief's; as Brad and I watched them pick up the last 2 presents we were surprised when they handed them to us and said open them... in the oblong box was a tape deck for me and the long one held a B.B. gun for Brad. I burst into tears as I realized that momma and daddy had done without in order for us to have something.

I may have forgotten what Santa brought that year, but I have never forgotten that tape player or the love that I received that Christmas. I tell this story all the time as to me it shows the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to be a parent.

We have long since left that little white house by the beach and have traveled to many places but I have never felt more joy and my heart has never been more full that on that Christmas morning so long ago.

The Fall

Some how this year I missed The Fall. One day there were leaves on the trees and the next, the trees were bare with their naked arms reaching for the sky.

I had always said Fall when speaking of Autumn until I lived in New England and heard someone say The Fall and then I saw it... here in South Carolina we get a few scattered leaves but in New England The Fall of the leaves is a sight to behold. Clouds of gold and red and oranges fall from the trees and cover the ground. It is like walking on a carpet of jewels.

I miss New England, Connecticut and Maine alike where Henry and I shared some wonderful times with and without the children in tow. I have always been a Southern gal but for some reason I felt like I had come home after a long time away when I first stepped into Yankee land. It didn't take me long to find all the little shops and out of the way places that welcomed me as friend and family.

I especially miss it this time of year, when the smells and sights of Autumn are everywhere. Pumpkins and hay in the fields, warm cider heating on the stove of the general store and The Fall, that wonderful glorious sight of leaves drifting downward, spiralling in the wind and blanketing the yards, roads and rooftops.

Road to Hilton Head

Most times I'm in a hurry driving down to see Becki and Corey or coming back home from there; but today I took a break and got out my camera and looked through its viewfinder at the world around me...

Dunes of time

Walking up the path to the water I felt like time had stood still, I was in the place of my youth and it was as if I had never left... visit back to childhood home of PSJ Florida in 2007.

Rain, Rain

Rain, rain will you go away
probably so but not today!

Rain, rain so cold and wet
how much wetter can it get?

Rain, rain upon my face
does it rain out in space?

Rain, rain you softly fall
against the outer garden wall...

Rain, rain full of grace
you bring the green to my little place.

Giggles and Guns

Today, April 1st 2008, Dorie Jean discovered the art and fun of water gun fighting. I don't know who had more fun or laughed the loudest, but for hours she and and I stayed on the porch shooting each other and laughing.

I can't remember the last time I laughed so much or with so much love. Her eyes gleemed as she stood behind a post and shot at me around it, at 3 she was a pretty good shot. The only thing that finally saved me was my offer to allow her to watch Little Bill on Noggin.

Thankfully I was allowed to rest awhile until it was time to go to battle again...