I hope you've enjoyed this "Advent Adventure" - I know that it's been a joy for me! Over these last few weeks, I've done a number of things to help me stay focused on the Really Important Things instead of getting distracted by the shiny tinsel and surface "stuff." I've very much enjoyed trying out … Continue reading Advent 24 – Jólabókaflóð
Along with our pre-Christmas trip to Asheville, we here at Splendor have another tradition that we've fine-tuned over the years - we have an early day of Christmas celebration that's just the two of us. (Well, and the Furs, of course. They have quite enjoyed their toys and plushy new beds.) It's not a big, splashy … Continue reading Advent 23 – The Quiet
We're drawing close to the end of our Advent Adventure. I've learned a lot along the way and I saw those lessons in action in the last few days. Today, for example, I needed to run a few errands today (we're spending the next few days hunkered down at home, so I wanted to have … Continue reading Advent – Catch Up 3!
I came home today from spending a few days with my parents - it was a good visit and one that allowed me some time for reflection. It's very easy to get caught up in the hullabaloo of the holidays, especially the way Americans have "done" Christmas since WW2. (This article does a lovely job of … Continue reading Advent 19 – Working on Waiting
This installment of Advent Adventure deals with celebration - always a good idea in my book. Today is my father's 87th birthday. (We counted up today - it's his 42d year of playing Santa and his 27th doing the "Pilots for Kids" visit [see yesterday's post for details.]) Now, I'd argue that any of that … Continue reading Advent 18 – Birthdays & Unbirthdays
OK - this post is a direct copy from a post I made on my previous blog, Mockingbird's Nest, back in 2012, but it bears repeating tonight. I'm at my childhood home visiting my parents. Dad turns 87 tomorrow and I spent part of tonight watching him play Santa at the World's Very Best BBQ Joint, … Continue reading Advent 17 – Santa
The end of the semester needed concentrated attention from me over the last few days, and I made the right-for-me decision to let posting wait until after those responsibilities had been fulfilled. I kept working on my Advent Adventure during this time so this will be a bit of a catch-up posting. And you know … Continue reading Advent – Catch Up 2!
Advent is, in large part, all about community. While Mary may have kept to herself as she "pondered these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19), she was in the stable at the time, surrounded by a no doubt still-stunned Joseph and a cadre of wild-talking shepherds. People need people. We're a social species. And sometimes, … Continue reading Advent 13 – Community
Here we are on Day 12 of the Advent Adventure. For most everyone I know, it's a busy time of the year that can very easily cross over into Stress Central if you don't take care on that front. Seriously, this is the time of the year when you just HAVE to replenish your own … Continue reading Advent 12 – Share!
Woof! Here it is at the end of the semester and - to use a Southernism I heard recently - I'm busier than a moth in a mitten! Which means that I didn't do as well today as I would have liked - in fact, I need to double up on my "Reverse Advent Calendar" … Continue reading Advent 11 – Use Your Own Yardstick!