2012 dawned warm and windy, for Michigan, that is. We are under a high wind warning, with winds of 50 mph forecast for 10 am to 10 pm. Here at White Rock Shoal, the usual flotilla of Canada geese that frequent the shoal are nowhere to be seen. Whitecaps lick the edge of the shoal. Winds are increasing with occasional rain.
It is the Eighth Day of Christmas and I light candles at the windows every morning in the dark. Rosemary twigs remind me of gardens that have been and will be, and of good food to be enjoyed and savored.
Sunrise is at 8:05 am here at Cedar Bluff. The sun sets at 5:03 pm, so we are still in that two week time frame of slightly less than eight hours of daylight. The theologian Martin Marty wrote a lot about "the winter of the heart." So many of us in the northern latitudes know that feeling, when the days are short and the heart can be heavy.
But warm holiday memories sustain. There are books to read, bowl games to enjoy, something to knit and quilt. A really big jigsaw puzzle spreads across the dining table. Ah, the cares of the soul are banished with family and friends to love, good conversations to come, and things to do.
So, welcome 2012. Bring it!
Copyright 2011
Wanda Hayes Eichler
We had a gorgeous day here. High 50s and sunny for most of the day. As Richard and I left the second party of the day, just a smattering of rain drops.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to blog daily in 2012 as well? That would be amazing!
I thought about your comment for a few days, Heidi. I was tempted to change to five days a week or maybe not post on Sundays, but then I think about Dad in Wisconsin, sitting in his recliner, looking forward to my blog dribbles each morning. Such a small thing, to keep on writing, just to stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteSo here we go! Another year of a post a day. My camera is with me all the time and my brain is in blogging mode.
Thank you for your warm comments. You and Dad and MB and Ed and lots of others (Gail, Bill, Barb, Brenda, Irene -- the list goes on) are my cheerleaders. And Dad is my primary audience.
Enjoy!
WJ