The Sounds of Christmas..

‘*Ring the bells that still* can ring. *Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.’ Lenard Cohen*

White Chapel bells rang through the Simcoe County Museum during their Victorian Christmas celebrations, playing Christmas Carols as their audience quietly sang along.

White Chapel bells are also the makers of the Liberty Bell, and the bell that rings from England’s Tower of Big Ben.

Love when a small community gathers together, in a beautiful church, for an old-fashioned Carol sing.

All the while caring for the more vulnerable members of their town.

*The Huronia Symphony Orchestra presents ‘A Swinging Christmas.’*‘

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me what sounded like twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven organs pipes the walls bedecking.

Ten brass instruments deep tones richly playing.

Nine woodwind instruments gracefully their melancholy sounds making.

Eight violins, times two, quivering.

Seven strings a stringing, with cellos and the beautiful upright bass richly haunting.

Six trays of cookies for eating.

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS

Four children for Santa watching.

Three conductors being amazing.

Two piano players vibrating.

AND ONE SOLD OUT CROWD!!!!!!

*Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!*

Christmas Carols from the Forest Floor

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen

The Holiday Train

After 25 years of the Holiday Train stopping in our area on its journey through Canada and the United States collecting food and funds for local Food Banks, we were finally able to witness the event.

We followed our Mayor from the Simcoe County Museum through a winter wonderland of pine trees and snow to the spot where the train would come to a stop. Along the way, our Mayor gave us a quick education on controlled burns, tree planting, and the tree Museum.

We met jolly old St. Nicholas, dropped off our donation for our local Food Bank, zipped hot chocolate, and enjoyed the music of the Anyway Gang.

I dropped by our local food bank about eight months ago offering my services as a volunteer. They added my name to their waiting list. Prehaps I’ll get a call in the new year.

Giving Tuesday

Matthew 25:40, ‘The King will reply,’I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”

Giving Tuesday, founded in Canada, in 2013, is a wonderful way of focusing on giving instead of consuming.

Active in more than 80 countries, its common mission is to make giving a part of everyday life.

Matthew 25:45, “‘He will reply, ‘ I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'”

Scars

A scar
is but a jagged line.
Left for years 
to refine.

The pain is big.
The pain is small.
Sometimes,
there is no pain at all.

There is a scar
in the tree,
from where 
this branch used to be.

The blue birds move
nearer the tree.
Nearer the tree,
but further from me.

Oh, to be a squirrel….

Oh, to be a squirrel

Find a comfy branch

Give your tail a swirl.

Find a nut!

Sit on your butt!

Keep your mouth shut!

Maybe, a chair

Can relax your hair.

Knowing that there is nothing

You need to share.

When you don’t have a nest

But need a little rest

Sit on someone else’s house

Leave a big mess.

Give a loud scream

You’re not very mean.

Oh, to be a squirrel

In this crazy old world.

Pumpkin Patches

There was a little pumpkin 

in a pumpkin patch.

He sat amongst them,

smiling, 

Looking at his stash.

There were orange pumpkins

white pumpkins, yellow pumpkins,

And pink pumpkins too.

Perfect for a big batch

Of delicious pumpkin stew!

Tiny wee ones,

Ones with tiny tails.

All scattered playfully

Amongst the hay bales.

He is a precious little pumpkin 

This beautiful baby boy,

Brought into this world,

Spreading great joy!

Singhampton Sculpture Forest…..

Birthday tea, in the forest.

Tucked neatly into the forests of Singhampton, you will find Studio 124.

Surrounded by trees and art, the Singhampton Sculpture Forest is a forest of art and trees.

The sculptures and the art are the creations of artist Marion Bartlett.

Frank and his friend, Frank the Frog.

Faces in the forest.

Joy, pure joy.

Take a walk in my shoes….enjoy the breeze , coming through the trees.

The art of reflection….seeing ourselves in so many different ways.

The door through the forest, it is always open.

Feeling the healing powers of the forest….

When Your Right Hand Can’t Right….

What do you write
when you're writing hand
can't write.

Try as you might,
you just can't get it right. 

It's either too dark,
or maybe it's too light.

Or prehaps I'm gripping 
my pencil to tight.

It's becoming a fright,
this inability to write.

I may fight,
this desire to write.

It gives me a fright, 
as I sit here all night,
bathed in artificial light.

Studying this hand on my right,
which, at this moment, 
cannot write.

Try as I might,
I can't allow my left hand
to take over for the right. 

To write.....

The World’s Tallest Totem Pole

Look carefully, and you will notice my 6’5″ tall son standing at the bottom of the Totem.

Located in Alert Bay, British Columbia, standing at an amazing 173 feet, this wooden tribal totem pole is the tallest of its kind in the world.

Featured on this totem are figures of the Sun Man, a whale, an old man, a wolf, the Thunderbird, the Kulusl, a two-headed serpent, a bear holding a salmon, and a raven holding a copper.

A truly wonderful and beautiful experience!

A forest view of the world’s tallest Totem Pole.

Thunderbird Park, at the Royal British Columbia Museum.

We have so much to learn and discover. We are never too old to wander or to wonder.