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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Day 19: Good

December 19, 2009

We must’ve been good this year. While they won’t be in our stockings, we received Christmas oranges yesterday (and grapefruit and tangelos, too). I peeled and ate the first of them today; the tangy scent of orange oil in the air made it feel a little more like Christmas.

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Day 18: Heavenly host

December 18, 2009

Do you know an angel when you see one?

I found these simple felt angels at Liave, one of my favorite local stores. These angels are more gesture than representation, all line of gown and curve of wing. Although they have no mouths, don’t you imagine that they’re singing?

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Day 17: Early

December 17, 2009

Santa came early this year, arriving tonight carefully disguised as my husband. He brought a present to help me and my computer make it through the holidays: a bright shiny new laptop battery. The old battery could hold a charge for half an hour, tops, and then the laptop would shut down without warning. This [...]

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Day 16: Late night lap cat

December 16, 2009

When you come home from a wonderful evening of good food and even better conversation, and climb into bed to talk with your sweetheart, what could make the night even happier? The sleek black cat who settles down in your lap to purr and bathe and purr some more.

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Day 15: Everyone needs a home

December 15, 2009
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Day 14: Something’s missing

December 14, 2009

We got our Christmas tree yesterday, from the neighborhood lot down the street. We brought the little noble fir home, gave it a couple hours soak in a bucket on the front porch, then set it up in the corner of the living room. But something was missing. No, not ornaments, though we didn’t decorate [...]

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