Health Trek Day 51

Today is the first day of winter and we have already had two blizzards, weather below zero and been able to skate on the Pond. The ice rarely is thick enough to skate on this early in the season. A rare treat, but icy cold! I feel bad for the people anxious to see their families that are stuck in airports and train stations. But I guess you just make an adventure out of it and move forward. Think of all the interesting people you could meet. And a great excuse to sing Christmas carols. I miss the caroling we used to do as kids. We would stroll along the snowy sidewalks and pause and sing before our neighbors house. People often brought steaming mugs of hot chocolate to the singers and often joined in as we walked to the next house. Nowadays we'd probably get reported to the police for noise pollution or something. I think maybe this small neighborhood might enjoy the caroling, especially since most of us are seniors on this street, but my kids always look at me as if I was a lunatic if I suggest it and they have no idea what the words to all the old Carols are. I am going to have to start looking for some crazy old bats like me that would like to go out and make fools of themselves. I think I would like to let the temperature go up just a tad first though. Maybe we could write some fourth of July carols and go out singing then!
I hope you are all enjoying your last minute shopping and wrapping and baking and celebrating!
Rock On!

Christmas Poem 2006

The Unexpected Gift
Hope abounds in children's faces
As stockings adorn the chimney places
They wonder what St. Nick will bring
As Shepherds watch and Angels sing
The unexpected makes the season bright
As candles light up a snowy night
What wonder this year will unfold?
That warms the spirit despite the cold.
Perhaps a call from an old friend
Or a card some one will deign to send
Random acts of kindness reign
A break from loneliness and pain
Christmas promotes philanthropy
Makes us the best that we can be
We'll want to be a Tiny Tim
As we hum another Christmas hymn
Anticipation is the key
Not promises from Santa's knee
It's the action that is unforeseen
That brings the meaning to the red and green
As we seek the Shining Star
A journey traversed near and far
For a few special days each year
we follow the path that Christ made clear
If only we could hold this force
We might change the world's whole course
Bringing unexpected joy
to all God's children, girl or boy
What waits for us this Christmas Season
What is our goal, and what our reason
Will we become a Christmas light
And truly make the Season bright?

Judy Patt Hall
Christmas 2006