Denver - hot (1), sunny,

Marquette - blizzard aftermath -

             but we're coming home.          

 

(1) 65 in shade, feels like at least 70 in the sun. 

Old friends and new friends

sharing memories of the year - 

        and of years gone by. 

Yesterday's light snow

melts in today's strong sunshine -

     fresh start tomorrow! 

 

ok - we are in Denver, where weather is sunny with temps in 50's and 60's!  Back to real winter in a couple of days.

 
God, 
Protector of the poor, the weak, the most vulnerable -
You prodded Joseph to gather up Mary and the Baby
and run to safety in Egypt.
Our hearts break for parents around our world today
who gather up their children
but have no place to run
from violence and oppression,
from hunger and sickness,
from poverty and harsh weather.
Spread over them your holy wings,  dear Savior.
Keep them safe today 
and help them find a peaceful tomorrow.

Kelly Lattimore  Our Lady Protectress of the Most Vulnerable

 

and a bonus prayer - 

 We think of him as safe beneath the steeple,
Or cozy in a crib beside the font,
But he is with a million displaced people
On the long road of weariness and want.
For even as we sing our final carol
His family is up and on that road,
Fleeing the wrath of someone else’s quarrel,
Glancing behind and shouldering their load.
Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower
Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled,
The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power,
And death squads spread their curse across the world.
But every Herod dies, and comes alone
To stand before the Lamb upon the throne.
               -Malcolm Guite, Refugee

 

  

and one more from Kelly Lattimore 

 

 

 

 

 

 La Sagrada Familia 

Christmas, Boxing Day,

Lie Around (nap) Saturday -

     New week tomorrow. 

Mary and Angel

Clarence and George Bailey - it's

        A Wonderful Life! 

 

We went to see a production of it as a radio play. 

After the angels

and shepherds, before the kings -

        God's Christmas peace is.

 

Or

After the service

and presents, between cookies -

          God's Christmas peace is.

There's no snow and cold;

Folks wearing shorts and t-shirts!

       Can this be Christmas? 

Coffee and cookies,

friends stop by to share stories -

          Christmas open house. 

One eighth moon with cloud,

a small peaceful moment as

      night falls quietly.

 

wanted to say "a small piece of peace" but it just seemed too cutesy. 

 (apparently this got written but not actually posted yesterday)

 Lord God,
when Joseph and Mary found themselves in an untenable situation,
you sent an angel into Joseph's dream
to point the wway forward.
As I sleep this night
may my dreams be open to any angels you may send,
and when I awake
may I see more clearly the dream you have for your Creation
and how my part in it might move it forward.

 

 

Mary: Keep Watch

Icon by Kelly Lattimore 

https://kellylatimoreicons.com/

Bratwurst, potatoes,

Sprecker's Rootbeer, onside kick -

       Bears recover it! 

 Shopping, with coupons,

"buy one, get one half-off", so -

        save any money? 

A warm morning walk,

A friend stopped by with cookies -

          a day to enjoy. 

 Walking in sunlight,

waves splash, spots of  bare pavement - 

       drizzle tomorrow!

 

According to the weather forecast.  "Drizzle before 7am, then rain. High near 40"

Friday: "Snow, high of 18, wind chill -5."  Bundle up!!

 

 

 

Snuggling at Christmas -

started (1) two inches apart -

      anyway - tastes good! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) “carefully placed” two inches apart.

Unfortunately, the pans are kind of concave, and as soon as they hit the 375 degree oven, the well formed and placed little balls all rolled into the center of the pans!

Week fifteen report:

Packers - lost, Lions - lost, but

       Bears, Vikings came through! 

 

My soul is waiting to magnify you, Lord -

but the more I think about how great you are

  and about how mighty is your arm,

the more I notice that the deserts of Gaza and Ukraine

  are still in tatters,

and the more I notice that the powerful

  still lord it over the meek,

and the more I notice that the poor

  are getting hungrier day by day.

I know there are small acts of kindness and care

  in the midst of each of these disasters,

  and I give you thanks and praise for your presence among and within them.

Lift us up Lord,

  and set our feet on solid ground

  and our spirits will rejoice in you, our Savior,

  in each generation, now and forever. 

 Could walk the bike path,

watch the moon at Picnic Rocks -

       but at 2 degrees?

 

I think not! 

Winter art, music,

 holiday trees, and cookies!

          Last night at The Pete!

 

Peter White Library, that is.  And laser light show on the ore dock on the way home. Nice.

Waves splash a white line,

 all else is darkness until

    blink -  the lighthouse flashed.

 

Walking by the Coast Guard station.  Yeah there were street lights and decorations, but out over the lake - all was darkness. 

Wind blows, one lone leaf

scrambles across fresh, smooth snow -

          It's late - heading home? 

Turkey, squash, salad -

last remains of Thanksgiving -

    thankful still for much.

I wanted to say 

"last leftovers of Thanksgiving" 

but it didn't quite fit! Or you could say "Thanksgiving's last leftovers". Guess I'm still going with "last remains". 

Oompa, oompa, oomph -

Oompa, oompa, oompapa -

       T'was Tuba Christmas! 

And it was fun,  not really "oompa-y" at all. About 30 baritone, euphoniums (which are pretty much the same except for shape of bell), and tubas played a variety of carols including "O Holy Night" and a setting of three of the "Burt carols" - Marquette native. And the sun came out!

Scanning the horizon, Lord,

for some sign of John the Forerunner. 

The lion, the lamb, the wolf, the sheep, the ox and the goats,

the kings and peasants

the oppressed and the oppressors 

they are all here -

in the world around me 

and in my own heart.

And frankly, things are getting tense.

So any time, Lord, any time. 

Gifts to buy or make,

 cards to read, cookies to bake -

         a friend came for lunch. 

With flashing lights, floats,

Who's from Whoville, and the Grinch - 

         Santa came to town.

 

and lit the tree and had hot chocolate and they were cooking smash urges. Smelled good but we passed after a big supper.

Pink layers, gray sky,

full moon just shows through light clouds -

        but it's cold out there! 

Late afternoon sun

casts soft shadows on fresh snow -

       brief peaceful moment. 

Shake off all the snow 

clamp on the  stand, bring it in -

       Christmas tree is up.

(Now - lights, ornaments, etc. The work is just begun!)

(But - cards are ready to mail.)

 - For Dec 1- 

A haiku a day -

That's what you said Charlie - so?

        Yesterday - forgot!