DEC 1

I have been late to a lot of parties, but this is one that I've discovered in a timely fashion!

My apologies for the dark image - it couldn't be helped.  Shelter arrived today - it's very nice.  As with any new relationship, 'alone' time is necessary!  I will say that Jared's staff are excellent -both helpful and speedy!  I am thinking that this could be one of those keeper relationships ... a new go-to yarn.  I love that it is grown in the western part of this country and milled in New England.  A true American!
In honor of December 1st, I brought the first piece of a Christmas tradition downstairs and set it up.

One year Scott brought home dozens of pieces of this little ceramic village.  Charming, I thought to myself, just what we need, more dust catchers!  Cynical?  Yes.  I have a bit of the Ebenezer Scrooge to my personality.  It wasn't always this way - there was a time when I held the magic of Christmas in my heart and mind throughout December and into the new year.  God's love was big and comfortable and far reaching - spreading itself like a balm over my family, my community.  
These days I feel separated, isolated.  It's my own fault, of course.  I no longer 'belong' to a church nor do I hop on the train to go into the city.  I don't immerse myself in local events and I spend much too much time being afraid, or appalled, or both, at what I read in the paper and hear on the evening news.  Public gatherings make me nervous.  Road rage gives me hives.  It's getting harder to practice those 'random acts of kindness', isn't it?  I worry about what is happening with medicare and social security.  People are hungry and out of work.  And Mr. Obama - I'm a little bit mad at you, too.  It's going to take something extra special to get into the holiday spirit this year.  I'm not sure what that might be.

Maybe I should start with the things that I love.  (He who guards my shoes!) And a look in the mirror could help - usually one can recognize their problem when it is staring them in the face.  
My daughter told me this evening that her childhood friend is expecting her first child.  Now THERE is a reason to be joyful and grateful.  I need to knit!  Grace abounds.