Hey Baby it's Cold Outside

Winter is always cold.  At least in Wisconsin it is.  I'd rather be in Penzance in the UK where it's gorgeous ALL the time, but you can't have everything.  But at the beginning of THIS year, things are slightly off centre.

What you see here is our normal winter scenery.  This was from three years ago, but could very well be what we are experiencing in a week or so.  Being right on the Mississippi River, I can't actually say we get 'river effect' snow (similar to lake effect snow) but it must pick up some moisture to make this super thick snow.

I'm slowly getting into the Christmas Season of Goodwill, but it's a bit difficult with Mick's medical tests and all the discussions.  Puts a bit of a palour on things.  However, this Advent we consider why we celebrate at Christmas and I can see a light beginning to shine in the East!

There isn't much left of my Christmas village, but some of the pieces are still in a box.  This will have to do.  The David Winter house in the centre was a bit mangled when I took it out but now it looks perfect.  I do good work!!  I'll get a Christmas tree on Friday and get that ready, plus a few more figures for the nativity creche.  Then I will be finished for this year.

I like this watercolour by John Crane.  John told me this was painted from a scene outside of Woodstock, New York.  It could be right here in La Crosse, because this is what our countryside looks like.  I had a signed lithograph of this but it's been lost in moving.  The good thing is I can get another one.  The tough part is finding John and getting him to sigh the new one!!!  I love the scerenity of this farm scene, nestled in the snow.

Now is my time to focus on the spirit of December.  It's good wishes for all my family and friends.  It's prayers for a successful year ahead and for all the dreams and wishes they want to come true.  Mick and I have only a few things on our needs list this year...to find out why the xrays look as they do...for a job for Mick and furniture for our little flat.  We don't have wants...unless it's sharing a nice glass of wine, cuddled up in front of a warm fire, watching the snow falling gently on the rolling hills.  We must settle for a cup of coffee or tea, bundled up in woolies watching the eegits crash into each other - or take out the road signs next to the house!!!  But our real "wish" is for Peace in the world.  For an end to conflict, both globally and domestically.  Perhaps this coming year we will finally have the Peace Our Lord has spoken so often about. We need it.  We crave it but we so lack the ability to obtain it.  That would be the most wonderful gift of all....Peace.