DECEMBER 25, 2012 – MERRY CHIRSTMAS

GOOD MORNING WORLD

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus.  What more can anyone say.  Last night we attended our Christmas Eve church services.  The message at the service was of good news of the birth of the baby.

One of the stories we were told was of a messenger that went to a village and told the ruler that he had a message for him.  He said that no one must know the words of the message.  The message was that ‘God is hidden among them’.  The ruler requested that the messenger take the message to the local monastery as well.

The monks, who had been bickering, began to treat each other differently as they did not know who among them, if he was there or in the village, was God.  The ruler began treating his people differently as he did not know who among them was God.  The people seeing this began to be nicer and kinder to each other.  They did as they were experiencing.  Perhaps that is what this world needs today.  Kindness and caring as we do not know who among us might need it.

After the singing of ‘Joy To The World’ we left church to walk out into a beautiful first snow of the year for us.  Joy was born this day.

I am leaving the rest of this entry to others wiser.  I pray your day is everything you want it to be.  I hope that Santa shared his bounty with you and yours.  It looks like he did here.  We are as I type awaiting the 8 yr old child to wake up.  The grown ups are already excited!  We will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then see what Santa brought.

From the Gospel according to Luke:

2: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

2] (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3] And everyone went to their own town to register.

4] So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

5] He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

7] and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8] And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord.

12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14] “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15] When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16] So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

17] When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

18] and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19] But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

AWAY IN A MANGER

(from awayinamanger.org)

The Author of Away in a Manger remains unknown. Some early works suggested it was written by Martin Luther, although this appears unlikely. It is probably a late-nineteenth-century American carol. The first published appearance is in the 1885 Philadelphia The Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families. Richard S. Hill, who was head of the reference section of the Library of Congress, researched the origins of the carol and concluded it was likely a poem read in Lutheran children’s celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the birth of Luther in 1883. The third verse did not appear until 1892 in a collection edited by Charles H. Gabriel.

Away in a manger, No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus, Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky,Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus,Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing,The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus, No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky
And stay by my side, ‘Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children, In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven, To live with Thee there

JOY TO THE WORLD

(from carols.org)

The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol ‘Joy to the World’ were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father’s influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Non­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

May the Peace of Christ be yours today.   MERRY CHRISTMAS…..

…..ONWARD TO MORE MISADVENTURE…

FIRST FRIDAY IN DEC. 12-7… PEARLS AND MELANCHOLY

GOOD MORNING WORLD

The first Friday of the month is celebrated in the Catholic Church as a good day to go to Mass.  There is a devotion about going to 9 consecutive services.  I have not ever done it and really do not know much about it except that it exists.  It is a way to practice faith.  In these days when the church is under such attack it seems to me important to mention this.

Today is also the anniversary of my Grandmother’s marriage to her second husband.  I am sure this day is important to many others for birthdays or other anniversaries.

Today is also the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.   I am certain many reading this know for what this day is remembered.  I was interested to note for the second year in a row that Google, who changes their logo on their website according to whim, did not acknowledge the history of this day.  The news hardly acknowledges the significance of this day anymore.  As I was looking this morning I found an article from the San Francisco Chronicle about the State of Maine having their flags at half-staff by order of the Governor to remember this day.  I found this connection odd and glad there was a mention of 12/7 at all.

Pearl Harbor is a day which was supposed to live in infamy.  For some it has for others – well I am wary about what is being taught in schools.   I have been to the memorial in Pearl Harbor.  It is treated with the same reverence that one experiences when they go to the Vietnam Wall.  There is quiet everywhere and people looking silently.  Perhaps some have silent prayers in their hearts.  I know I was very emotional as I walked through the site.

I am in a melancholy mood this morning.  I get this way at some points off and on during the Christmas season each year.  While the majority of my Christmas memories are joy filled and bright not all of them fall into this category.  The melancholy comes when I think about being away from my family at this time of year.  Now I know I am too old to think that we would ‘all be nestled’ in our beds.  I do not do well with unexpected change.  Even expected change needs some easing into my life.  That is what melancholy is isn’t it – remembering changes good or bad?

Dictionary.com has it as a noun defined as a “gloomy state of  mind, especially when prolonged; depression; sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.”  The one that applies for me is the sober thoughtfulness tinged with the ‘blues’ not full-blown depression.

Death made visits to our family around this time.  My paternal Grandfather and maternal Great Grandmother passed during this time in 1960.   My first step-mother passed Dec. 3, 1971 – this time of year – after being with us for only 9 years.

This dear woman, Marie Isabelle Meyer, had a brief stop in my life while leaving a major impact on it.  When she passed away I lost a friend not just a step-mother.  And she was not even that.  The word step-mother connotes ‘wicked’ to some.  Surely can’t prove it by me or our family.  We have been blessed with three of the best moms!!!

I met Marie as a friend of my father’s.  She was a nurse and had a young daughter who was very spoiled.  Of course my sister and I were not!  As a married woman I commend the courage it must have taken to marry a man with two girls coming into their teens.  I was already 14 and my sister coming quick to it at age 11.  On top of this they chose to have another child, my brother.   Strong couple.

I have always referred to Marie as my ‘earth-mother’ mother.  So many memories……Dad traveled and his youngest boss had to take Marie to the hospital for the birth of my brother.  She would not let there be any disturbances on the weekends so Dad could relax.  She made homemade bread.  She made jams and jellies.  She volunteered with our youth group.  She helped people in town with medical needs.  She would go give people shots (insulin and such) as they were prescribed to save them having to go to the Drs. office.

She loved us as her own.  I remember the Christmas I asked for a pearl ring.  I can see her face as I am sitting here typing.  I was getting a bit disappointed as the gifts were almost all done and I did not have my ring.  She had this sweet kind patient smile and told me to look ‘in the tree’ for more gifts.  There on one branch was a small gift wrapped box I had not noticed before.   Of course my pearl solitaire ring was in there.  Sadly it has been lost.  Memories remain and create melancholy on some December days.

My first Christmas away from ‘home’ was in my own home as a newlywed.  My poor husband.  I cried so much that year as I missed my family.  While we were to be creating our own traditions I could not let go of my familiar ones.  Every single Christmas show had me in tears.  Blessedly I married a man who put up with all this emotion I was experiencing miles from my family and hometown.  It might have been easier had I been in the same state.  I was not.  I survived as did we.  Today it is even hard when our children are not with us.  I would be happy if we all lived in the same geographical area.   We do not!  Life happens.  We remain heart close not logistically close.  Thank goodness for skype!

No matter where we were I tried to find ‘family’ for us or created an extended family with whom we could celebrate the holiday.  Our “Killock Kin” were some of those beautiful people.  ‘Gramps’ and ‘Aunt Robbie’ and ‘Shirl’ (absolutely no blood relation) would come for Christmas Eve pancakes if they could.  Usually it was only ‘Aunt Robbie’ and she would bring a Beaujolais for us to drink.  It was a real treat for her as she had been introduced to it when she was an army nurse in Europe.  It was a big deal she said.  To us it was awful dry red wine.  Her company was what we liked the best!

Depression and suicide are at all time highs this time of year.  While I cannot truly understand these depths of despair, with the melancholy that touches me I can get a glimpse of the sorrow this joyous time of year can produce.  We have many military serving us away from their homes  Children who do not have parents with them at this time.  People separated by illness or circumstances.  It breaks my heart.

I have no solution.  I can only offer a smile to those I meet.  I can offer an ear to those in need of a listener.  I can send a card with a faith-filled greeting.  I can give to the angel tree at church.  I can send money to charities.  I can continue our sock project which brings me such joy.  I can pray that all that feel despair may come to know the real reason for this season.  I can keep Christ in Christmas.

…..ONWARD TO MORE MISADVENTURE…

 

AWAY WE GO WITH SWORDS AND DRUMS

GOOD MORNING WORLD

I have no idea where that quote came from and have heard it often in my life as people begin something new.  I looked to find the basis of it though could make no connection for the complete phrase. Found parts of it in scripture to Newt Gingrich to popular rock culture and no complete phraseology.  Found a children’s poem that had most of it so guessing someone combined the words along the way.

I am not beginning I am continuing while excited for the milestone that was reached at midnight last night.  I tried to stay awake and saw 11:43PM on the clock then 1:46AM – missed it!!!  Today is another day!

I wanted to start off the next part of my full goal with another name and newer look.  The name I chose to pursue was taken and frankly panned by some with whom I shared it.  Over lunch yesterday I thought of some other names none of which stuck.  I actually wrote down some to look at them.  The ones that did not make the cut are ‘paltry points’; ‘of little consequence’ ( as we know everything I have to say has value!); ‘provocative points’; ‘resounding revelations’; ‘ponder points’; ‘eclectic mind’; ‘calico chat’; ‘calico conclusions’.  The reason behind the search is I want a commercially more attractive name.  Ktsquared treasures is okay for now though I am certain not all I write is a treasure – close maybe!!!  Still looking and open to ideas!!!

In the coming months I am going to pursue a website.  Perhaps what I want to do can be done simply with a blog as well.  Still learning and learning is a good thing.

I am going to be going back to politics some as well.  Are you aware that this country has spent $1.4Billion dollars on the vacations/parties/lifestyle of the current President and his family in the last year?  I was astonished at this number and am going to investigate further as the Brits only spend $58 Million on the Royal Family per year.  The Royal Family surely have more costs with Castles alone???

I am currently working on a small post about the comparison of Benghazi and Watergate.  Thus far the fact that both Nixon and Obama got reelected while both scandals were raging it interesting to me.   This time 4 Americans were killed!

I will be looking at Christmas and other holidays as they come up for celebration.  Am listening to all the discussion about keeping the name Christmas with regard to lighting trees – much ado about nothing I am thinking and yet…slippery slope.

One point that is currently in my mind is the fact that Christmas is 25 days away and New Years right on it’s heels.  Where did this year go?  Gift shopping to be done.  Wrapping to be done.  Cards to be written and sent.  Enjoy the season?  All of this list must be done.

In closing this morning I apologize for the thinness of this post.  It is where my mind is right now as I look back and look forward.  I was so pleased to find a comment from a regular reader that I do not know telling me that a couple of my posts were lackluster.  Cannot imagine the comment after these past two.  I also have to apologize for the language in the Ebb Tide post.  Caught some flack for the quote from Sigmer.  Sorry – did not want to cut his own words.  I believe people need to be able to have their own words.  In some politician’s case it can hang them actually!  I give you the last election – Romney’s gaffes hung him.  Obama’s elected him.

Got to get to my regular day – yesterday the downstairs was completed.  The upstairs is calling me to work.

…..ONWARD TO MORE MISADVENTURE…

 

THANKSGIVING 2012 GONE -WELCOME CHRISTMAS

GOOD MORNING WORLD

Yesterday was a great day!  Food, Family and Friends – the three F’s – cannot beat it!!!  All that is wrapped up with the laughter which cold be added as a 4th F – frivolity!  A good day.

A final review says that the last minute choices for different desserts was a hit.  Have not made Nobby Apple Cake for Thanksgiving before.  In the fall I usually make a couple of these as the apples are so good and have not done so yet this year.  Thanksgiving seemed a logical place to put it in!  Crème Brule – who knew it would be as good as, and maybe even better than Graham Cracker Pie?  Even better as it was made and ‘fired’ by a budding 14 yr old chef!!!  Walks, naps, skateboard runs, Wii – what a good day.

As I was preparing for the holiday and reading different posts here and there I came across a recipe for cooking a turkey like Trica Yearwood.  I think it was cooked at 500 for 1 hour and sat in the oven for 6 more as it cooked.  I am not sure how that tastes.  Not trying it.  The thing that caught my attention was the lack of stuffing in this recipe.  The cavity of the bird contained 2 celery sticks some carrots and an onion..  I had forgotten that stuffing the cavities of the bird is not universal.  Even less universal now that many are frying turkeys.  By the way my stuffing process was slick as ever yesterday morning.

The first time I ran across not stuffing a bird was a visit to our friends in Arkansas.  We were in the process of moving from our home in Mississippi to Maryland so we were depleting our freezer and food stores.  I volunteered to bring a chicken for one of our meals over the course of our visit.  The bird could thaw on the 3 hr drive to their home.  When I got there I proceeded to fix the bird and stuff it.  My friend inquired what I was doing.  We entered into a discussion of stuffing and I discovered that she had not ever put it in the bird!  I love finding out different information like that.  It had not been a custom in her family.  I discovered since it is not a custom in many parts of our country.  I love the differences!!!

I do not go shopping on this day after Thanksgiving.  Depending on what is going on the rest of the weekend we may or may not put the Christmas tree up on this day.  The tree  IS going up today.  While I await the helpers to return and wake-up I will remember Thanksgivings past over my coffee.

Most Thanksgivings when we lived in Maine were at my aunt’s home.  The Friday after we would go back as my uncle from D.C. would be there with his family.  One of the first Thanksgivings I made in our home in Maine my sister (the next in the line of three) and her family came.  I remember having fun with all 4 adults peeling vegetables and laughing.  She remembers a walk in the snow after.

Another favorite memory of the day after Thanksgiving for me was in 2004.  My folks were visiting us in Missouri for the holiday.  Prior to Thanksgiving we had made the required tour of “my arch” which is how Millie referred to the St. Louis Arch.  This was the first time Dad had to show proof of a knee replacement to go through the gate at the Museum under the arch.  In line he was chatting with people as he does and got the normal response of you do not look that old when he told them he was 83!   It was a wonderful time before and including the feast on Thanksgiving Day!

The day after we decided spontaneously to go see ‘The Polar Express’ which had just opened.  Our daughter and her two kids were back over visiting and it just seemed like a good idea to hit the 11:30AM show when it would not be too crowded.

I was not yet dressed from breakfast so whipped upstairs to get ready.  I came down all clean with make-up on raring to go.  Our grandson looked at me with an odd expression.  He said “Grandmama do you have lipstick on?”  It was a bright red to match my sweater.  I answered, “Yes, don’t you like it?”  He responded, “No, I like plain old Grandmama.”  You have to know what came next.  I wiped off the lipstick and got a big hug!  Great memory.  I am not done.

At the movie we all settled in our seats.  We took up a whole row!  We are movie people.  Some people like sports, others movies and some like both.  For the most part we are a movie family.

‘The Polar Express’ is a fairly dark movie.  Not in plot or focus, it is dark in the lack of lighting and color as it takes place at night.  I really enjoyed it.  It was a bit scary in parts and our 4 year old grandson chose different laps in which to find comfort.  It was the same with his 2 yr old sister.

I was reduced to poignant tears at one point when I looked across to the end of the aisle.  There I saw my 83 yr old movie buff father holding my 4 year old movie lover grandson both enthralled with what was on the screen.  It was a circle of life moment.  Our daughter and I in our youth had been in that very same spot of my dad’s lap.  Four generations of movie-goers in the same row and the oldest was holding the youngest.  It was a beautiful sight.

Memories are wonderful and warm your heart.  Blessedly we are all, from my 91 year old dad to my now 12 year old grandson and the rest of our family, still making more each day!

…..ONWARD TO MORE MISADVENTURE…