Approaching this New Year and potential Darkness...

Approaching New Year's I always think of this poem.  But this year it seems to have a special verve.

 I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.”

~ 1908, by Minnie Louise Haskins, who taught at the London School of Economics

T.G.I.F.

R.I.P Debbie Reynolds

Links

Debbie Reynolds, who sang and danced to fame in ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ dies at 84 (The Los Angeles Times)
Actress Debbie Reynolds dies at 84: ‘She’s now with Carrie and we’re all heartbroken’ (The Washington Post)
Obituary: Debbie Reynolds, a wholesome Hollywood icon (The BBC)

Waiting for my Bean Boots...

One of my Christmas gifts was being able to get new boots. I need them very much. 

So, I ordered them online on Christmas Day, and they were slated to arrive on Thursday the 29th. We are getting a Nor'easter, tomorrow and Friday, that is expected to bring 6-12" of snow. 

Now I've been pretty excited about them arriving (and hoping like crazy that they fit well).  

So, it's a little disconcerting to learn today that they aren't coming until Friday, after all. But! At least they're not back ordered!  I love the look; and my gloves are red, my hat is red with a touch of black and white, and my coat is teal green. Best of all, the boots will look great with my red Mini Cooper 

which has racing flag ("soccer ball") mirror caps!  😄 ~ listener

Winter Wonderland

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Boxing Day

Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."