Lethargy

We have been afflicted with an ailment; it seems to have affected the entire household. The symptoms are abnormal drowsiness and sluggish behavior. We have an aversion to activity and a listlessness that appears to be drastically affecting our mood as we are short tempered and easily agitated. We however do have bursts of energy and laughter that are onset by one or two members of the household instigating a practical joke on another member. However, there is great disappointment among the bystanders when the practical joke goes unnoticed due to the complete torpor of the intended butt of the practical joke.

Might I also mention that is it -45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Diagnosis... lethargy.

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Another Day Closer to Christmas

We again find ourselves waiting for Christmas. That magical day when all seems right with the world, all is calm and all is at peace. If only for a brief moment this peace can fill your being and warms your heart.

The past several years I have had the good fortune to spend my Christmas with five others who also enjoy laughter and the company of each other. We all have something to contribute to the small clan that is this family and as we grow and change my hope is to maintain the closeness that we share.

After a dinner of lamb with chipotle sauce, salad and Spanish corn we spent time opening gifts. We had drawn names back in November for the person we were to make a gift for, something from the heart, something handmade. For the most part we stuck to this plan, and the gifts that were produced will be remembered for all time. The sock puppets, the puppet stage and Grandma's Puppet Play will be long remembered.

Then came the Dutch apple pie with ice cream and a game of Canasta. We played well into the dark of the afternoon and with a bit of luck my teammate and I pulled ahead of the leading team to win. Thanks for playing cards with us Dad, here's to next time. You can be on the winning team.

To all our family and friends in the states and around the world remember Christmas is coming! Enjoy the new year ahead.

Longest Day Ever

Everyone else will tell you that yesterday was the shortest day of the year. They are incorrect on two accounts. First today December 22 is one minute shorter as the sun rose today at 10:59 a.m. versus yesterday when the sun rose at 10:58 a.m. Second today is not the shortest day of the year but the looonnget ever. The day just goes on and on, dragging on for miles upon miles of darkness. To top it off the clouds hung around for most of the day, no white stuff to cheer us but instead only gray skies above.

You go to work in the dark, you come home in the dark, when you look at the clock the time could be morning, it could be evening one is hard pressed to tell the difference. As we enter the 13 days of our mandatory winter break, as the university is closed, we enter that time when we will get up with the sun and stay up till the wee hours of the morning trying to pretend that out world is not dark and cold.

Good music and delicious food will fill our days with delight as we try with all our might to ignore the deep of winter that we find ourselves partaking of.

December 22, 2008
Sunrise 10:59 a.m.
Sunset 2:41 p.m.
Altimeter 2992
Temperature 5 F
Dewpoint 0 F

Found a new song I like today; I have not listened to the entire album but this song shows promise.

You'll be loved
Someday you will be loved
Like you have never been loved before.

Someday You Will be Loved by Death Cab for Cutie on their album Plans.

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Songs of Joy

Sing the songs of the season, joyful and triumphant, toe tapping and heart thumping to the beat of the joyful music. If this sound is so joyful why does everyone complain about all the blissful music that fills the air? Do we really miss the repetitive songs that are on the regular syndicated stations? Do we really want to hear the top ten again, and again? A few short weeks of change, what can the harm be in that?

If you like classical, jazz or the hoe down of the country sound, there is a Christmas song to delight your ears and sing that familiar beat. Whatever digs you prefer there is something that I am sure will lift your spirits. If not the rhythm may it be the words that resound in your ears, bring a smile to your face and dance to your feet.

I am not the type to go all out during the Christmas season, the work of the set up and the tearing down of the holiday decorations has never been on my list of favorite things to do during my adult life, and since my children are young men now, we do not feel the need to have the house decorate with any trimmings. What we do enjoy most is the relaxing day of good food and being in the company of family.

My Mother is the caretaker of Christmas, the master chief and hostess for the day. This Christmas dinner promises to be delicious and mouthwatering, the apple pie will be cut into six equal pieces, topped with ice cream, and savored while the card game of choice is in full swing. It's going to be another GREAT Christmas!

May the Holly and the Ivy fill everyone's ears and the smiles on your faces bring joy to your hearts.

Many times many way... Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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Full Day of Sun

9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

Moon at 11:00 a.m.
off to the west

11:13 a.m.
The sun finally clears the mountains

12:15 p.m. high noon for us

2:10 p.m.

2:13 p.m.
There are three tall mountain peaks that are visible from my vantage point, the sunrises just to the west of Mt. Hayes and by high noon the sun is past Hess and Deborah. Hayes is the tallest at 13,700 feet and Hess at 12,040 feet. It was a beautiful day with the sunlight filling my office and brightening up everyone's mood. It is still to dark too tell what today will hold but I will cling to yesterday's glory.

To everyone I wish for you a sunny day.

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Sunset 2:40 p.m.

Dark Gray Day

Sunrise 10:53 a.m.
Sunset 2:40 p.m.
Photo taken at 1:30 p.m.
Heavy snowfall at this time

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Passing of the Sun

Sunrise photo taken shortly after 10:48 a.m.

Midday sun around noon and 10 minutes later as the clouds moved away.

Preparing for sunset photo taken at 2:10 p.m.

Clouds finished their task and covered the sky by 2:30 p.m.

Sunset 2:42 p.m.

The day of viable sunshine passed rather quickly for me today.

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Cold Moving In

Driving back to work this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. the moon was rising behind my building at the university, the moon is large, glowing, and full. What a sight to see just as the sun prepares to set. If only the glow from the moon had the same healing powers as the sun.

Now the moon is high in the sky encircled in rings signaling a change in the temperature, another cold spell moving into the area. It is predicted to be in the 30's, the negative 30's.

Time to hunker down with a warm glass of something in front of the wood stove or fireplace whichever your house is blessed with. There is too much to be accomplished at work tomorrow, so playing hooky is out of the question. I will trudge to the bus stop, do my duty at work, and head home for a long weekend winters rest, not a nap, just a rest. It is only a true nap when the husband is home from the slope and we can nap together!

No matter the temperature tonight, I will open the bedroom window shades and enjoy the glow of the moon through the night and dream sweet dreams with loving thoughts of my dear best friend Lisa, as we can never look at a full moon without thinking of each other.

May the moon light your way on this cold night. May its mystic fill your heart with wonder.

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Surrounded

Greatness surrounds us in a warm blanket. As I read more, see more photos, and listen to music I am in awe at humanities greatness. People are truly fascinating. At times I pale in comparison to my fellow traveler and I wonder why I would keep trying to produce that one thing of significance.

My mother is an artist with limitless talent, creating pieces of artwork in a variety of mediums. My father is a wood smith, welder and restorer of old rusted machinery, John Deere is his favorite color. Sometimes it is hard for me to feel I cut the muster to be their daughter.

May the greatness that surrounds us inspire us to seek enlightenment and edification.

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Obsession

My new obsession ~ sun tracking

A cloud bank has formed over the Alaska Range,
the rest of the sky is cold and clear blue.
The sun is hanging precariously on the crest of the clouds.
I have to fight the urge not to look directly at the sun which is hard to do
considering the fact the sun is below eye level.

Sunrise 10:39 a.m.
Sunset 2:47 p.m.
Temperature -23 F
Dewpoint -28 F
Altimeter 3005

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Cravings

Darkness loomed out the window despite the late morning hour. Sunrise comes late in the north this time of year. He looked past her to view his reflection in the window as he adjusted his tie. She purposefully stepped in his way forcing him to look at her. She wanted his attention, not sure why or what motivation was driving her.

"Don't make me hurt you," he said with a coy smile.

"You would never do that." An audible laugh in her voice.

"You're right," a smile on his face giving away his meaning. He finished his task and turned to leave, glancing back with an approving look.

At that moment she realized her motivation. Desire. Craving. She longed to feel his hands encircle her in a firm embrace, to be crushed against his warm welcoming body. Her heart raced at these thoughts.

Unexpectedly, he was gone, rounded the corner, out of view.

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Written by Julia Mist D'June ~ December 2008 

Smile

Each moment we smile we bring joy to the person who is in the vicinity. A smile is contagious, infectious, and transmittable. As we spread this joy or if we choose to wear a long face remember never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

I recently read an email story that used these last few words and it reminded me of the impact each one of us can have on another. We might think that our universe is a colossal expanse but with all its wonder and might each of us occupying our teeny amount of space can affect others that cause an event cascade of huge proportion.

Smile ~ share the ray of light with each other.

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Daydreaming

I woke this morning with the sense that yesterday was a dream. A daydream mixed with a dose of reality, not truly sure where to start my day. Was I in a store looking at the antique glassware's, was I in the restaurant at a back booth looking at reprints I had made of an airplane painting, was I really resting my head against the chest of a handsome man with a warm inviting smile and graceful voice. Or did my clock read 6:34 a.m. as I awoke in my own bed on a Tuesday morning?

Temperature: -33 F
Dew point: -37 F
Altimeter: 3067

Sunrise 10:23 a.m.
Sunset 2:58 p.m.

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