I live on a farm ... — romance

Hello again, and Happy New Year. One year ago I was still living in the foothills, north of Los Angeles. I was taking four-mile walks several times a week, and one path I followed took me under a freeway underpass, past a few sleeping homeless men, and across the Los Angeles "River". January in Los Angeles last year was unseasonably warm -- unreasonably warm.  The weather was so "nice" I was able to work on my paintings outdoors at a nearby park or in my sister's backyard. There were days when the temperature was in excess of 90 degrees ......

Tommorow my parents arrive late in the afternooon ... preparations are still under way. Yesterday we finished getting the sitting area by the fireplace ready for the holiday. It is in a part of the house that has not been remodelled or restored, and so was a bit rough around the edges. Transforming it into a cozy place for visiting was enjoyable, not very difficult, and didn't cost anything. With a bit of imagination, rearranging a few pieces of furniture, and placing several inexpensive tea and votive candles here and there the area took on a new life. Now an...

That's what we dream of each year ... isn't it? And, what is the perfect Christmas? Is it the vision on a television commercial, or is it reflected in a perfectly decorated set on a movie? Is it the scene you see drawn and painted on Christmas cards? Perhaps a vision of Christmas from when you were a child and everything still felt like exquisite and unchallenged magic? Side Bar: My eBook, "A Christmas Story" is available now to download. You may click on the picture at the right, or follow this link to get to the download page for...

I found out this weekend the critters I have been making are able to knit. I was not aware of their having that particular talent, but I came downstairs early this morning and found three of them sitting around in a little circle knitting away and having a wee chat by candle light. Somehow or other they had managed to get ahold of some little finishing nails to use as knitting needles, and they had bits of my yarn. It was all very sweet, and this one was kind enough to sit for a photo. (I could be wrong, but...