A Week's Break December 2019

Well, we are into week two of Christmas break. The first week was spring-like. Time was spent grading exams, walking to break the monotony of grading, and running an errand or two. The most difficult one was forcing myself to go spend some time at Half-Price books. Terrible, terrible chore for an English teacher as you can imagine. But I forced myself to spend an afternoon with books all around me. Sigh. The walks were lovely; the rain Saturday a delight, the week was proverbially too fast. This week I will spend most of it outside doing what looks like work. Yesterday I moved things around so I could get the things I really want to do done later this week. Today, I'll spend time at school putting all my grades on the computer and printing the stuff I need for next week. Once I get that stuff all finished, the rest of the week will be mine. I had hoped that with all the ice off the pond the goldfish might make an appearance, but, alas, it looks as if they are settled in for the winter at the bottom of the pond. The feathered friends are still active, and you can tell it's not spring--the male Cardinals are tolerating each other. I am off to play teacher. Hope you have a marvelous day. Get outside! Winter is in the air!!! We need that cold to make spring beautiful.

Christmas Morning at The Acres 2019

Christmas morning at The Acres. Up early--the Alarm Clock insists. Watched the light of day emerge. Breakfast--eggs, sausage, and English muffin. Orange juice to drink. Never fear the Pepsi came a tad later! Slow and quiet beginning to the day--perfect for The Acres.
My Lap Top and I spend part of the morning admiring our feathered friends at breakfast. The only service she can provides is purring. Christmas bells were provided by the blue jays. I don't know what you would call the staccato of the chickadees. My tree ornaments keep moving from tree to tree to the patio. None of them break when they "fall." Reds, olive greens, black and whites, a touch of yellow in the tails of the goldfinch when they fly off, purples, slate blue gray of the nuthatches, lots of browns, white vees as the snowbirds take flight. Yes, my ornaments are always on the move. And I never have to put up or take down the trees. =)
I do have a little tree that stays decorated year round. I set it up when I read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. A memory tree if you will. Some of the ornaments on that tree have to be over a hundred years old--maybe the tree itself. Add a few candles (Hanukkah candles!), and it creates a beautiful aura especially with the lights turned off. Can't leave it up long--someone I know likes to play with dangling things.
The morning walk was peaceful. Nothing, of course, is blooming--a couple of months til that starts up again. But I'm sure they're thinking about it. Greens, though, everywhere--firs, pines, blue spruce, Lenten rose, grasses. Blue-gray sky. Browns and blacks and whites. The pussy willow by the pond is already budding. The pond itself is ice-covered.
I love my Christmas at The Acres. The silence. The calm. The subtle colors. The movement and brightness of my feathered friends. Even the purring of my Lap Top. Serenity is probably the best word to describe my morning. The Creator who is my Savior always makes His presence known here The Acres. The King is on His throne.

Backroads Update December Lights

Backroads of Morrow County Update:
Dealing with a flat tire yesterday eventually led to a late night trip home backroad's style. I ended up with one of those little fake tires, and since they told me to not go over 50 on the way home, I eschewed the highway and wandered home the good way. The best part was that no one was on the roads but the chubby, old boy guy so I could meander at any speed I chose. Slow, slower, slowest---even stopped once to take in a marvelous manger scene. That was the beauty of the trip last night--Christmas lights everywhere glowing in the darkness of a dark country road. Some of the homes were just lights--some simple and elegant,, some abundant in light but beautiful, some just gaudy. Not many manger scenes, but some glorious ones. It was my visual "high" for the season. I may be tempted to try some other roads or re-do this trip from the other direction. Peaceful. Serenely shining out of darkness. Myriad colors. I wonder if anyone has ever done a study on Christmas displays revealing the person's character? Anyway, I love the meandering. Some folks are supreme artists. And going slow made it all glorious. Who knew a flat tire had so much potential for a beautiful late evening excursion? Beauty from ashes. And I had a nice little Christmas conversation with the young man who changed my tire. Seeds in the darkness may grow in the light If watered with a little prayer. Find the wonder in your "flat tires" today. It's good for the soul.

Thanksgiving at The Acres 2019

It was a good break at The Acres. Almost got everything finished--two small remakes to complete. Hey, I have to have something to do in December. And I needed to work on my procrastination skills.
Loved the rainy days. My pond needs about six to eight inches before it freezes up. Have to have plenty of room for my goldfish to sink deep for the winter and stay warm. They are up and about every day lately. Cold weather lovers I guess. Sluggish, but up and about. Orange clouds in the water. Perfectly still--but they can disappear in a second.
Had the duck dinner with part of the family. Sadly, the other part had to work. Duck, dressing (fake), veggies provided by Brad. He's becoming a chef. And they took the hour to drive to my place!!! Can't beat that. Even Dumb Animal hung out with us for awhile giving us her opinions on the state of the world. Good conversation and shared love. Isn't it amazing that you can just quietly sit in a room with those you love, and it's a delight. Never underestimate the joy of presence. Or fail to take advantage of it. Who knows what a day will bring--let alone another year until another Thanksgiving with family. Got my Christmas stuff up =). Takes a second to say and a second to do. My trees are outside. God will decorate them with snow. And the stars make great ornaments. Use the moon for the top of the trees. So easy to do. And gorgeous. And then after December's celebration, two months until the crocus and orchard iris and snowdrops start signalling that spring is on the way.
The best part was being outside almost every day. The tragedy was the loss of the main part of the Sentinel. Fell in the Bog thankfully. It was huge! The wind has provided a haven of rest for some creatures who like to live in the swamp. Someday maybe, or maybe not, I can just hide out at The Acres year around. Until that becomes His will, I will by His grace keep trying to somehow show young people His love and His grace and how--whether they like it or not--He wants their minds filled with His truth and their lives filled with His grace. Discipleship we call it. Loving the Lord with all our hearts, souls, mind, and strength is the calling of each of us--regardless of our age.
Thank You, Lord, for a joyous week at the haven you've given me. Empower me each day to take your presence with me into the classroom. May Christ be seen in me. And remember a thankful heart is spontaneous in the daily life on one filled with the Spirit.