Christmastime Is Here!

Christmas Things are happening around here!

• Cocopugs has a Christmas book called Christmastime is Here! AND I always sing the Peanuts Christmas Song until she tells me to 'just read it, mama!'


• A student of mine dropped off a HUGE fruit and candy basket yesterday. We have been low on fruit because Pat has been doing the majority of the shopping and only buys for a day of eating. CB and Coco each ate a pear, and kiwi and an apple yesterday. It was so very kind and unexpected.


• We just made our Christmas Beds with red and green flannel sheets for the girls, and pink moose flannel sheets for us. Cozy and Dorky all at the same time.


• I made my last minute run to Target last night for the stockings and a frantic gift exchange. I must have a bag of Ghiridelli Chocolate Mint squares, and Pat must have a tin of Hazelnut Chocolate Pirouettes. The kids get an apple, and orange, and some candy canes. (and a movie to watch on the way to Gramma's)


• CB is SO excited she is driving me crazy getting into things, helping me organize the fruit basket stuff, and sneaking candy at the same time. Like I don't notice she's totally wired. Ahhh..she comes by the sneakiness honestly.


• The last of the wrapping will be done tonight either at home of Gramma's depending on the weather. I hope Pat gets home early and we can leave, but otherwise we will enjoy a quiet day around here.

Merry Christmas!!

Wack-o!

This week, I kept starting a new post: 3 times I have sat down with a genius plan and then..nothing.
I am not a writer, so writers' block is not the answer. There is no pressure here to write concise and perfectly coherent masterpieces. This is my journal, and my easy rules of obligation are to work out my own thoughts and tell you five crazy readers how I maintain my sanity.
Here's my week:
#1: My daughter may indeed have juvenille reumetoid arthritis. This threw me for a loop Tuesday, it was a long night of wondering what all was going to change, be adjusted, and how this would affect the childhood of my daughters. Treatment right now is easy, and her pain is managed well. Funny I wrote a blog about faith on Monday, and then am forced to rely on God for comfort and peace during a moment of crisis. But I did, which means my faith isn't weak, it's evolving. I still have big questions, but that's just how I was made.
#2: I have been busy, and actually getting happier as I prepare for Christmas. All the musical engagements I have had are almost over, they have been a lot of fun and I was only seriously nervous last night during the ISO Pops Concert. The Chorale I direct sang 3 accapella pieces arranged by one of my students. It was great- BUT I was nervous until I got out there and just did it and it was fun- who knew?!?
#3: I have to wrap presents today. I get to go to the Nutcracker with CB- she jumped into bed with me at 6:30 (AGhh?!?!?) excited about going to the ballet. And then I get to vamp on the Steinway and sing for 6 hours at the non-profit mansion I work for. A fun day!!
#4: I am looking forward to going to the In-Laws on Tuesday. They are Polish and make a lot of great food, enjoy a good cocktail and visiting, and they help me get things ready for the big day. It is a huge departure for years past when we would leave on Christmas Eve at 11:30PM and get home at about 2AM Chrismas morning. I am looking forward to not being exhausted on Christmas Day, and sharing our special morning with Gramma and Grampa.
Leah is writing! Merry Christmas!
xzi2XZ]jn b
And how do I maintain my sanity right now?
(Well, I store it in the freeeeezer, and it's Polish and ends with a Nostrovia!) :-)

The Litany

My mom and I had a long conversation Thursday about different issues, and she told me I am too hard on myself.
I have a lot to do, and am not really enjoying it the way I should be. Running from event to event, cleaning the house in between, crabby to my husband and children, and blogging when I should be doing something else. I have time to relax and rest, I have the margin, and still I don't even know where to start.
Anxiety and depression have been factors before, but not really acknowledged or recognized until they are well passed. Then I look back and say- Man, I was a mess! I should have, could have, etc.
However, here we are:
Is this situational? Does this occur when I am overwhelmed with responsibilities? Is it simply a state of panic?
Creative sanity is not Drugged Sanity, but yesterday I was watching a show where a mom was abusing Ritalin and I thought...hmmmm I think I know how I could get some, and then I too could get things done.
That moment lasted a little too long for my comfort.
My mama and I were discussing faith.
I have control issues.
Faith is hard.
I keep thinking: Work as though it is all up to you and Pray as if it is all up to God.
I can't do that. I just work as though it is all up to me, because ultimately it seems to be. If I don't manage everything at home, bills don't get paid, house stays a mess, kids are neglected and watch too much TV, and I am a machine just working and producing.
I pray, but I hate asking God for help because I am so blessed. I have so much love, so much joy and so much comfort. How can I ask the God of the Universe, Father of the Son to help me with MORE? Especially when my drama is self made? Especially when others really are hurting, sick, hungry and cold? I feel like an ingrate.
What are God's promises?
The desire of my heart is to truly enjoy and appreciate all the gifts given, and cheerfully and happily manage all the details that go along with these gifts.
Most of the time when I journal on paper such things just become prayer.
and so, Amen.

The Best Christmas Card Ever

Inside it has hearts in red, and is signed by my preschooler.

True Love!

Mulling Christmas & Spiced Cider

#1: We should really honestly call it Spiked Cider just to be accurate.
#2: Can you imagine the fun Mary and her cousin Elizabeth had when they were both prego AND Zachariah couldn't talk? (Zach honey? Can Mary stay for another month? What's that? I can't hear you?!?!) Further proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. That story cracks me up!
#3: We have a tree. I purchased it with CB. It was NOT the Norman Rockwell family gathered contemplating the perfect specimen, It was me and her. We were cold. She was enamoured with the flocked trees, I was happy that Ed tied the tree to the car. We did not go for flocking. We went with De-Flocked.
#4: I will be buying an artificial tree for next year.
#5: Pat is cleaning. WOO HOO!!
#6: Pan fried breaded pork chops with Dijon mustard sauce, mashed potatoes and brownies for supper. Maybe more cider.
#6: continued... Does anyone want to come make this for me?

Mmmm...Paradigm Shift...

I had lunch this week with a bon-a-fide ARTIST. He is graciously helping out the non profit I work for with some design work and advertising. We had a nice lunch and productive meeting, with some great new projects in the works.

During the course of our talk, we discussed various aspects of our work that is frustrating.

It frustrates me that music is so fleeting. I worked very hard for 8 months on a recital: learned 18 songs, 13 that made the cut, detailed language work, memorization, rhythm and melody, coordinated rehearsals, and balanced life in the middle. It was absolutely worth it, and the work is not the problem, in fact it is the pleasure of the job. But the performance is the icing on the cake, and it was over in an hour. 1 HOUR!!

There is a beautiful DVD of the performance, and a great CD with the dress rehearsal complete with cherished comments by my coach. There are my own memories, my children and husband's recall, and about 50 folks who made the effort to listen. All those are wonderful, but abstract. Skewed by perspective and time, media is not concrete. Memories are not reliable. I want that moment back, that time of performing, the finished product, imperfections and all.

So I am relaying this to my friend, who patiently sits there, looks at me and then proceeds to tell me how hard it is for an artist with the ability to constantly change a finished product, looking at how he has evolved, constantly seeing his work as 'In Progress'. Then he says to me:

"At least it's not around all the time to haunt you"

Indeed, indeed.

Getting to know you...

This time of year, there is a great emphasis on getting to know the folks around you, the folks you come in contact with daily, the grocer, the mail guy, your neighbors you talk to once or twice a year...
Today something funny happened to me.
I am not a voyeur...but...
I took my shower late this afternoon while my husband took my daughter to the grocery store. Ahh some peace and quiet. I wrapped up in my hearty old robe, grabbed some caramel popcorn and snuggled on the couch to watch Divine Design, my favorite HGTV show.
Our couch faces a large picture window, perfect for watching the western sunset, the trees change color, and actually yes, right into our neighbors front room.
I glanced outside because the dad was tossing a football around with his son, and the toddler was inside pressing his nose against their picture window. All of a sudden, the mama came in, caught her husbands eye, AND FLASHED HIM!!! Aghhh!!! My Eyes!!
It was like a car accident, I couldn't move!
Who does this?!?!
I couldn't stop laughing, and moved away to avoid any further ....ummm... glimpses...

The dad stopped playing football and headed right inside.
Mission Accomplished!

(It should be duly noted for all MOPS readers, that Yes, Becca is my neighbor, and NO she is not the exhibitionist.)

Ok, Nutball

I had good reasons to delete facebook. I had comprehensive, complete ideals where I wanted privacy, time back from the computer, and authenticity in my relationships. The way I was using facebook did not jive with these values.
I joined facebook again.
I cut over half of my friends out of my list, I revamped all my info pages, leaving out detailed information, being truly authentic in who I am as revealed by the profile. The decision to be moderate in my use of facebook is one I think I can handle...

In other news, I found a quote that essentially sums up who I want to be:
The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. -Benjamin Disraeli

I don't take the opportunity to help those I don't know very often, but this quote inspires me to truly attempt to impact those I meet and work with on a daily basis. And it forced me to recognize that I am blessed beyond measure with all that I have and all I can give.

Have you ever found a quote that inspired you in this way?

Facebook Frenzy

I am not an addictive person. I drink in moderation, I quit smoking one day just because I needed to, and I can stop eating after 2 cookies.
I deactivated my facebook account. I was being careless with the people I was letting on and in. This is hard to admit, I was truly enjoying all the attention and details about other people I was gleaning. I was happy to let people in, talk to folks I never thought I would talk to again, and I was completely letting everything else be neglected. I friended everyone, and I was checking my email 7 or 8 times a day- which is a lot for me!
I figure this is a week for turkey, so I just quit cold turkey.
No More.
Those who are truly my friends will seek me out, they will find me, or be content to know I am well, even off of facebook.
I need to be a private person. I need to keep my thoughts contained in my head, or on this blog read by all 3 of you.

The list:

Ok- here is is, Christina! I am not as boring as I thought... The things listed in blue are what I have actually done.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a rollercoaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44 . Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDS
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone to Africa
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132.Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (I claim the moose butchering from Alaska)
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

It's the last rose of summer...

My husband made sure to bring it inside when I was sick. He's the guy who won't normally bring flowers, but will buy a whole rose bush... Sweet!

November Blahs, literally.

No Discontentment discussion today, just illness at our home. I have children tired of being tired and sick, I have a husband desperately trying to help me catch up around the house, (God Bless that man) and I am a mama with a stuffy nose and short fuse. This too will pass, but the snuggles, the movies, the slow pace reminds me it should not take a huge bout of illness to rest and relax as a family. Hopefully, this is the last of the sickness for us for a while, but not the attitude of rest... I think it is a new holiday goal. Let's see how I do.

Disappointments

Do you remember the show MAD TV? They had a little blurb called 'Lowered Expectations' (I'm singing it in my head right now)
How many of you have heard that to be happy, you must dash your expectations, lower them to avoid disappointment? It works, but then you are left with no excitement, no anticipation of something great. It is what it is. No Hope.
Here's another way. Experience disappointment. Seek it out. Feel it, get used to it, recognize it, and then find your boundaries. What remains? Contentment. You have no complaints, you have realistic expectations. Leave room for evaluation, leave room for reflection.
After that, be thankful.
To me, being content means my family and I are fed, warm, healthy, and loved. It is being free to respond to other people's behaviors with grace and respect. It forces me to see the beauty in what is really around me, the gifts of nature and love. It gives me hope for others who are searching for contentment, and allows for gracious giving.
You are now watching MAD TV. (really, I can't turn off the music in my head.)

Contentment & Thankfulness Part 1

When I was nursing my second daughter, I used the 3AM feeding time to pray. I prayed for my baby, her health, her life, and gave thanks for the blessings of being a mom. My mind would usually wander (imagine that) and I would start to think of other things that were pressing on my mind. At that time, I was looking at a house in a neighborhood that is nicer than the one we live in, the house was bigger, well appointed, and we could afford it. We would just have to sell, move, re-budget, etc. I prayed over this for a while and one night, clear in my mind was one word. Contentment. Be content.
We did not sell our house or move, we did not upgrade, we stayed.
Over the past 18 months, I have reflected on contentment, and what it means to me, what boundaries and constraints I have placed on it, and what it actually means to me.
Hang on, because this week I will be exploring those angles and want your input and ideas, your ideals and truths on the matter...
And how much thankfulness has to do with it all.

Sleepyhead

My child continues to get up in the night an come to my bed. I send her gently and firmly back to her bed, where she cries that she is lonely. I tend to not be able to fall asleep after such episodes, and end up getting up. This morning it was 3:30, so I came downstairs, finished my recital notes, started the MOPS newsletter, answered email and paid bills all before 5 AM.
I just woke up from a 2 hour nap.
This is not the ideal way to spend my life. I am a person who must have 8-9 hours of sleep a night. I don't know how Martha Stewart and other super productive people can get by with 4-5 hours. Today is my only full day off and I had planned on doing so many things that did not involve a 2 hour nap.
But the refreshment of waking up in my bed with the western window letting the sun stream on my face was delicious. I couldn't get up. So my 2 hour nap turned into another hour of lollygagging.
Mmmm....Lollygagging....

Sam

I had a great voice lesson on Wednesday, my voice seems to finally be responding to all this practice and I feel security. This does not guarantee a great performance, but it helps mentally...
My coach and I have been really focused on technique, which is sometimes difficult because his method of singing is completely different than how I was taught. He is from St Petersburg, Russia, and went to the music academy there. We sometimes have heated discussions about technique, why we do things, and I am not entirely sure he doesn't stage some of these events to force me to defend myself... It is such a challenge and I completely love it.
I am fortunate to have such a mentor and friend.
Now to memorize 8 pages of 19th century Russian.
No brilliant words today, I have work to do!

Innie or Outie?

Ok, Myers-Briggs is at it again...

I took the personality test about 6 years ago when my life was vastly different, no music save for the rock band in a bar and personal drama. No children, the spouse and I were buddies but not as close as we are now, and I had a corporate type career.
I scored as an ENFJ back then. I scored E/I NFJ yesterday, I was tied for Extrovert and Introvert. The book said to do some self examination and decide which fits you best. CRAP!!

• First, I can't believe I scored that close, even though my personality hasn't really changed, I just acknowledge it more in how I chose to live, which is very freeing.
• Second, I am a bit apathetic about being either an introvert or extrovert, I don't like the extremes of either one.
• Finally, I do carry on an internal war in which they battle over how to handle certain situations. Right now the introvert who doesn't want to be exposed at my upcoming recital as a hack musician is fighting the extrovert who CRAVES to be noticed as a good musician.

By the way, the introvert is winning by using such tactics as avoidance: If I write a brilliant blog, I won't have to practice, and then I won't be ready. Score!
But the extrovert says: Janie, turn on your Ipod- listen while you work, enjoy the music, sing out loud - you will learn and love, then you can be comfortable with the music- Don't fight it, baby!

Someone once accurately described me as capricious. I had to look it up, but by God, he was right. One can see why I am a mess, albeit an adorable one.

Proof that God has a serious sense of humor

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/16/disco.song.health.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText

This was in our local paper this morning and made me laugh out loud.

In other reader news, I have a recital coming up and will be blogging this week about practice, procrastination and production... later.

Thanks Christina!!

The happy living room

Christina is coming! Christina is coming! (as long as Coop is healthy...) I have a conundrum in my living room and as I am talented in many aspects of the arts, arranging pictures is not my bag. SO Christina is coming! to help. I am a bit excited and will post before and afters later this week. WOO HOO!

Also, can I express my happiness at the spellchecker not finding anything wrong with any normal words in my blog? I may be learning to spell here at the ripe old age of 32.

Reading

I love to read. I love to read to myself, I love to read out loud, and I especially love children's books.
On my sidebar I have listed the books my children love best, and there are exclusions mainly because I am too lazy to go check authors and complete titles. But I will add those in the near future.
I read to the kids at least once a day, sometimes just one book, and sometimes a whole stack and it takes an hour or two to finish them. Yes, my children do sit on my lap and listen, especially before naptime.
I read at the expense of the house being cleaned, laundry being folded, and floors being vacuumed.
Cocopugs and I went to the library yesterday, a rare treat without big sister along. We played puzzles for a LONG time, went to the discovery room and played with more puzzles, then went searching for our latest stash to take home. I discovered Barbara McClintock's book Dahlia and her illustrated version of A Little Princess. I love her illustrations, and her stories are really nice. Mom had given the book Simon & Adele, also by McClintock, at a birthday, and we look at that book for a long time trying to find all of Simon's lost things.
We also love Judy Schachner's little anti-hero Skippyjon Jones. He is ALWAYS in trouble, but also very imaginative and funny. It is from the first book we swiped the name Cocopugs for our little one. And the name fits. She is silly and serious all in a very Skippyjon Jones way.
Sometimes I tell the kids "No Reading, now"- or "We've read that one already today, get another one!" Or "Mommy is reading quietly, GO PLAY!!" On just one of those occasions, I happened to notice things had gotten a bit quiet back in the bedrooms, so I snuck up to the door, peeked in and THERE was the big one reading to the little one from the pictures. My heart swelled with pride and joy at this cute little scene. I did not look either of them directly in the eyes, I just backed out very slowly and moved quietly back to the couch where I read in peace for at least another two minutes... AHHH Bliss.

Janie's Kitchen

My big girl likes to play restaurant, and is currently telling me there is "NO CAKE, mom, only Ice Cream.

And if you don't order anything, I will take your baby turtle away. Order Something!! "

No matter that the food will be a little rubbery, and the company a little uncouth.

How can I resist hamburgers, fries and and ice cream sundae in my robe at 7:45AM on a Monday morning?!?!?

Lachen und Weinen

Last month I had the worst mothering week I have had in a long time. The bad was amplified and punctuated by some mild depression due to the perpetual motion of mothering. I felt trapped, unmotivated, selfish and unloved. I actually threatened my birthday girl with party cancellations, and had to work out some spouse issues. I had a 5 year old beautician with a 2 year old client. Her work was NOT Shear Genius. I had a house to get ready for company, not to mention a happy face to put on. I failed at it all miserably. But here’s where it gets ugly:
I truly hate the idea that I am not perfect and cannot do all the things I want to do for my kids, my friends, my husband, and myself.
And GOD?!?! I want His perfection; I crave His energy. I desperately want the patient attitude and the kind disposition. I lust for the ability to control & create everything. I forget that there is only one person in the history of the world that possessed those perfect qualities, and I am destined to fail if I attempt it. And so I end up behaving sinfully, too. That ends in the perfect Drama: Death and separation.
So where was He? He was seeing through the ugliness in me. God was being the perfect parent with enough grace, kindness, and strength to get me through to the beauty of today. That ends in the perfect Comedy: A divine marriage of Universe and man, Christ and his bride.
For now, the spotlight has moved away from me for a while, and shifted to those things that are truly bigger than my woes. Introspection is good, but not at the expense of my eternal soul. Accepting limitations, expecting to improve through work and being blessed by the whole of what is around me is the glorious part of being human.
So where is the sanity? Creatively inspired, lovingly implemented. God is good, and big enough to put up with me, my ego, my joy and my pain. And big enough for the 100 billion other mothers who are going through the exact same emotions and turmoil.
Ahhh, back to being one grain of sand on the beach, instead of Mt. Everest.

The Tyrannosaurus Twos

Correct behavior
means that you are
occupied with commendable activity.
-Ata


Wow- The pressures of teaching your children what is correct behavior, vs courteous behavior, vs socially acceptable behavior, and teaching discernment to boot?!?! No wonder I have a headache.

Ahhh...Autumn

October is my favorite month. But don’t tell March, June or December. They might get jealous. I whole heartedly love cooler nights, sunny crisp days and decorating for fall. I love cooking for coziness, the scary winds that blow, and the need for cute fall sweaters. Yes I am that shallow. This weekend the 5 year old and I hauled out the decorations from the closet. We set out fall candles, a cornucopia, and some bears with pumpkins, and autumn towels. I also relented and put out my cute ghosts and fiber optic kitty and pumpkin I usually reserve until the week before Halloween. The 2 year old is enamored with the lights, and they aren’t scary, just cute. Too much Halloween is a discussion for another day.
I think my mom loved the fall when I was a kid because there was always that cathartic feeling around the house when we got home that she wasn’t frazzled, AND there were cookies, and a roast. She loved the Home Sweet Home candle from Yankee and burned the wax disks in a little pot. Bach Brandenburg Concertos and baroque music played in the tape deck, a far cry from the summer Beach Boys and rock and roll. She created a very cozy warm atmosphere; it was a time of renewal for her.
To me, fall is a renewal and the true start of a promise. God’s promise to us was truly fulfilled at what seemed like an ending: The death of Christ. Fall is the reminder that even though things seem to be ending, the truth is that like Christ rising, spring will come and new life will begin. Not that I enjoy the death, but remembering and being strengthened for the hard winter ahead is the joy of these shorter brilliant days.