Sunday, December 02, 2007

Ushering In The Season ...

Sycamore Tree Near The River, © Joan Z. Rough, 2007

While a good portion of the country is undergoing Mother Nature's wrath, with snow, freezing rain and other forms of nasty weather, we wait for a bit of rain. It isn't supposed to amount to much, if anything. Yesterday the local weatherman called for about 1/4 of an inch, but today he didn't mention an amount . That means that the giant storm causing so many people grief, will probably slide by us to the north, leaving us with worsening drought. Our total rainfall for November was a grim 3/16ths of an inch.

I've just finished preparing bottles of Elderberry Syrup for gifts. Two loaves of bread just out of the oven fill the house with yummy smells. I've gotten quite a bit done today and am feeling pretty good about myself at the moment.


But earlier it was a little different. I woke feeling, not dreadful, but kind of "flat." Kind of like, "who cares!" ... just not interested in doing much at all and the things I needed to do seemed like endless chores. Sounds like the annual "Holiday Blues," some of us suffer from.

I have absolutely nothing to be depressed about. It bothers me that I can make
Big Pains out of little nothings especially when there are so many people in the world in need of the basic things in life ... like food, clothing, shelter, a job and a peaceful place in which to wake up. So what to do?

I start by listing the things that make me one of the most fortunate people in the world: A beautiful home in a gorgeous, peaceful community, tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have more than enough food in my larder, much of it locally grown and organic. I have warm clothes, shoes and all the accessories to make myself look fashionable. My family is made up of loving, unselfish people. I have my health which is amazing, judging from all those I know who are suffering from one ailment or another, some, life threatening.


A male Cardinal, often called "Red Bird" here in Virginia

That by no means is the end of the list. I could go on and on, but I won't bore you. It's time to brew a cup of spicy tea, put on some Christmas music and address a few cards to those I haven't seen in an age. Maybe I'll also pull out a few Christmas decorations as well. Tomorrow I'll buy a wreath and spread good cheer where ever I go!!

3 comments:

marja-leena said...

Love that top photo! I know just what you mean about feeling flat some days, even for no reason, but we get over it! We didn't get our outside lights up because of a snow storm but I did put my a new wreath above the fireplace for starters.

Lucy said...

I know what you mean too. I think perhaps we're required to gear up and get festive at the time of the year when, with light levels at their lowest etc, our energies are at a low ebb anyway.
I just don't know how women with children, full time jobs, elderly parents, and who knows what other worries manage Christmas, most of my blessing counting is that I'm not one of them!

Pam said...

Wish I had time to feel flat! But I know what you mean. Cheering post.