Early morning

6:00 a.m. and I'm awake for no good reason. After writing this I'm going to go back to bed and try reading myself to sleep. I do have an awful lot on my mind, but no more than anyone else this time of year, of that I would bet. I could make a boring list of everything on my mental plate, but I think I'll skip that. Instead, I'll write just a small observation about my trip to the mountains this weekend - something that will bring me great joy throughout this Christmas season. 

I was driving over Hoosier Pass (very curvy, hairpin turns, amazing views!) south from Breckenridge and then across South Park (a strange bowl of land that a million years ago was a lake). Christmas music was filling my car and "Oh, Tannenbaum" came on. Such a strange song about a tree, ever-green, and lovely. I was reminded of the many symbols that fill our Christmas celebrations and how many of their meanings have been lost to public knowledge. Here's just one.

The Christmas tree, the evergreen, was first used by pagans in celebration of the winter solstice as a reminder that winter would indeed come to an end. For that, I think we're all thankful. I think it can be a symbol of even  greater significance to me at Christmastime - the everlasting life of Christ, whose birth is my entire reason for celebration. What a joyous reminder to me as I drove through those tree-covered mountains, evergreens filling my view.

 

No matter how hectic I get, no matter what I have going on at Christmas, I would like to keep that reminder in the forefront of my mind. Christmas for me isn't about presents, carols, or beautiful wreaths - it is about celebrating the greatest birthday the world will ever know - the birthday that was perhaps the most humble. Born in a stable, surrounded by animals, no one to tend to the young mother but a single husband, straw for his bed. And yet he is my King, and my Savior. Amazing!

Order...

I'm trying this new thing where I have at least one day a week where I don't leave the house. (Have I said this already...?) This is going to help me keep up with my housework and, hopefully, get going on some projects. Today is my stay at home day. I hope to do some kitchen cleaning, work on a sewing project, and work on some miscellaneous piles. Sounds stimulating, huh? 

There is one problem with this new idea - I have so many lovely friends! I'm going to have to practice saying "no" to them. I'm going to actually stand in front of the mirror and say, "No, I can't do that," "I'm sorry, that time won't work for me." Aaaaaah!! Seems so difficult! I love being with people. 

But I'm telling you, I have a lot of projects in mind: clean out the basement, sew some clothes, cull out my fabric, hang pictures, fill some photo albums, design and sew a quilt, etc. That all takes time! Maybe I need two days?

Monday, Monday

Greetings to cyberspace! A lovely day was had by all here. I spent time with my sister and nephews, played with one, put another to sleep - both equally rewarding! I had a fun evening with old and new friends...enjoyed more snow falling...did some relaxing...finished knitting a hat for my nephew...processed some holiday issues with my hubby. Now it's 9:30 and time for bed...at least for this old lady!

The bed calls...I'll answer with a good book in hand, and my kitty next to me on my pillow. Nighty-night.

Help!

Seasonal affective disorder kicking into high gear, resulting in pre-holiday stress. So much to do, so much to think about. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Can't get my house neat, can't seem to keep up with it. Haven't exercised in months. Spending too much time doing ... what?!

Ok, deep breath, relax. Nothing is falling apart, husband is happy, friends are holding me up, God is still good! Heart rate slowing, feeling a little better. Tomorrow is a "work at home" day which is a good and lovely thing. 

Whoa! It's 11:30 at night?! Going straight to bed! Goodnight all.....

See saw

Oh, the small pleasures of life! And the fun we can (hopefully) make of ourselves! 

Jane Austen has been in the news, in the movies, and in the book reviews more often than not over the past few years. The resurgence of her works has been fun to observe. Ashamedly, I had never read one of her books - excerpts, yes, in some of my literature classes at university, but never a complete work. A change of the tide was about to occur. A few weeks ago, a friend invited me to a lecture entitled, "Jane Austen for Smarties." (Get it? A play on the ...for Dummies  books.) The lecture was given by the author of the recently published Jane Austen for Dummies, Joan Klingel Ray, and was indeed an entertaining and informative afternoon. Afterward, Sue and I were talking, and I confessed to being one of the "Jane Austen smarty-pants" to whom the author referred - those who have seen the movies but never read the books. Sue was rather surprised at my confession, and I was spurred on to do some exploration myself of an Austen book. 

The quickest to come by at our wonderful library (ppld.org if you want to check it out!) was Pride and Prejudice, and so I began my Jane Austen education in earnest. I anticipated enjoying the book, as so many around me gave testimony to their joy in its reading. I must confess, though, that the beginning was, for me, rather ignominious. I was neither moved nor intrigued by the language of the book, and the plot, being known to me, served as little enticement. I said as much to some friends. I found, however, that as I progressed in my reading, the words themselves began to draw me "further up and further in" (C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle). Austen was working her magic on me...

Result: my mind has been changed - yes, I am an intellectual see saw (teeter totter, if you'd rather)! My conclusion is this: Jane Austen does, indeed, deserve the praise she receives. Despite knowing rather intimately the progression of the plot, despite being aware of the critical reasons for and against the book, despite the sometimes (to our modern ears) over-written prose, I was drawn into Pride and Prejudice like a fish to a lure, and enjoyed every minute of it (except, perhaps, her, albeit period-justified, overuse of commas). The characters, language, and unfolding of the plot gave me great joy and actual out-loud giggles. Her use of just those things was quite delightful and fulfilled just as I had hoped. Too many words, too much dialogue - pah! Quite the opposite if one is willing to go on the ride and enjoy the play being acted out on the page.

Try it for yourself if you haven't - I think you'll be as surprised and delighted as I was!