From the monthly archives:

December 2009

Home again

December 27, 2009

We’re home. The cats are staying close. If not on top of one of us, they’re in the same room, talking or just watching. In bed, they’re under the covers, or perched on a hip, and purring, always purring. Looks like they’re glad we’re home. If they missed us, they don’t seem angry about it. [...]

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One giant leap for bovines

December 26, 2009

At the Houston airport, in a terminal I’d not been in before, stands a giant cowstronaut in a Holstein-spotted space suit, holding the Texas flag. What sometimes passes for art in my hometown is truly remarkable.

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Love and light

December 25, 2009
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Day 24: Dear Santa

December 24, 2009

Because it’s late, and I have yet to finish wrapping presents and stuffing stockings before crawling into bed, I’ll ask Ringo and friends to send out a letter to Santa for me tonight. Dear Santa, I know it’s Christmas time again, How I love to sing the songs. And everyone becomes a friend When they [...]

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Day 23: Gifts of the Internet

December 23, 2009

Three years ago, I posted a photo on Flickr of the small wooden Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus figures from the nativity scene that my family has had since I was a child. I’d taken the photo to use with an Advent post about a group of children putting together a nativity scene at my [...]

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Day 22: Market Report

December 22, 2009
Thumbnail image for Day 22: Market Report

I have been known to plan vacations around the dates of the farmers markets where we’ll be traveling. I will go out of my way to find a market, even if I’m not going to buy anything (except perhaps on impulse), just to see what farmers are growing and selling in other places. If there’s [...]

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Day 21: Solstice in the sun

December 21, 2009

On this shortest day of the year, it is almost 70 degrees in Houston, and sunny. On this day when, according to ancient traditions, the old year dies, the sago palm tree in my parents’ yard has set seeds. Brilliant red-orange, and glowing in the light, the seeds are ready for the new year — [...]

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Day 20: Returning

December 21, 2009

Yesterday, Paul and I caught a flight to Houston. My parents picked us up at the airport, and drove us back to the first home that I remember. And, as I have done upon arriving here each Christmas since I moved away from Texas, I went directly into the living room. I needed to see [...]

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