The card update

Well, I must say the idea of addressing all the Christmas card envelopes before the end of November was genius! What a stunning sense of order and ease. Ah! Kinda.

As it turns out, about three quarters were done by the third of December. I did feel that marvelous ease and calm. The photos came, I wrote a bit, but, as my common practice has been, the last few went out yesterday. (Perhaps it's the joy of candlelight, carols and a staying up late, late, late.) Nonetheless, the early purchase and start to the season, even in a task before it started, did something surprising and delightful. I began enjoying the season of Christmas early.

My whole family and a fabulous organizing friend spent the Monday of Thanksgiving week clearing and organizing the garage. Out it went! Space was made. Breathing space, and lots of it. As we rearranged the boxes - the decorating boxes cried out a bit and the Christmas lights went up. And from the Monday after the yummy holiday on, we've enjoyed the edges of Christmas. That beginning made way for more enjoying. I built an ersatz Christmas tree or two of bamboo (think: stick tee pees with lights) in the garden and planted seedling Sweet Peas which are vining their way up the lighted sticks. Ornaments are hanging from dormant Redbuds and little lights sparkle in flowers outdoors.

As Christmas neared, the things of Christmas have gathered in and out, and there's been a place for each: the stalks and blossoms of Amaryliss, the pots of pointsettias and Christmas treasures to emerge from their waiting boxes.

Somehow, some way, a Things to Do thing to do, became a way to think. And I have enjoyed each minute for what seems like a long, long, time.

Do we live and learn?

Each year I wait for Christmas with eager anticipation and each year the beautiful holiday seems to sneak up on me. So here I am for a test. The Christmas cards, ordered in early October, have arrived. They sit on my dining room table. Can I, is there a way to, reorder my routine and have these envelopes addressed by the end of November? That would be delightful. I'd avert any rushing on a Christmas project I adore. The question becomes the quest. I challenge my own divide (into weeks) and conquer (the less considered) mentality and only time will tell. A weekly post shall suffice.

Being known

I celebrated my birthday a few days ago and among the wishes and thoughts and gifts and treats, I found myself simply glad. Glad to be celebrated on my day and glad to be marking the day. There was one outstanding offering that I think I shall treasure for all the days in front of me. A card from my husband. The picture of a planked garden gate set about with stone bricks, peppermint geraniums and foxglove, displayed Joseph Priestly's quoted observation,

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day...with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."

It is rich to be known. To have been observed. And to celebrate the things that are intrinsic to our joy.