Nature Plays Her Hand

I found the answer this morning.  The question is: why have we not had more snow until now?  As I tugged the string of lights from a shrub by the driveway on my way back into the house, I knew I held the answer in my hands.

Snow block!

My town never (almost never) has a white Christmas.   The falling or not falling of snow, then, obviously is related to Christmas and things that look like Christmas.  People are just slow at taking down the lights off their houses. Why, on my street alone there are at least three houses that still flip the switch and burn the brights every night! The gods of snow know to stay away until enough of the tinsel comes down and it really looks like the dark of winter. Then it can snow.



I've found additional documentation for the reasoning in this new "fact."  Ground Hogs' Day!  Here we are nearly at February 2nd, and Nature is looking for clues on how to play her hand.  Shadows and Christmas lights tell her what to put in the weather queue--simple as that.

Creating modern-day, crazy folklore keeps me entertained and brightens all the Things I get to do today.  And while the skiers are happy with the recent snow on the mountain, unless you want to be the receiver of their frustration over poor ski conditions,  get your Christmas lights down now!  At least consider making it one of the Things you get to do today.

Santa's Boot

I'm practicing my balance.  Many of us talk about how to balance our lives between work, play, diet, exercise.  But I'm talking about actual physical balance.  Those little tubes in the ears that help one stay upright are not in top condition for me on one side, so I pay more attention to steadiness on my feet.

Not too long ago I told all of you that I was committed to getting stronger and creating the body I wanted for the rest of my life.  Here to report that it is going well.  The muscles are enjoying the reason to be more alive and responsive.  I actually enjoy "pumping iron."  I used quotes there because the amount of weight I lift could probably more accurately be stated as "pumping popcorn."  That tidbit aside, the final activity of my workout is a two-leg heel raise done while standing on a ledge.  My usual routine is to stand on the edge of the hearth and hold the mantel.  Sometimes I really grip to keep steady.





Today is Friday.  The Things I get to do today,  on Friday, are my workout exercises, scheduled for Monday and Wednesday as well.  As I was finishing up with the heel raises, instead of hanging on to the mantel, I simply touched one finger to the toe of Santa's boot.  Magic.  Perfect, steady balance with no wobbles.  What a fun gift from this little critter helping celebrate Christmas.   The Holiday Season is nearly past, but Santa Bear may have to stay out until Easter.  Ho, Ho, Ho!  Happy heel raises!

Pointy or Rounded

My cactus is late.  I found out recently that the plant I've been calling a Christmas Cactus is really a Thanksgiving Cactus--and it's late!  Here we are at Christmas, and the blooms just began popping out.

But no mind, it is beyond lovely in every aspect. Of the Things I get to do today, giving my two plants a shower bath is up next.  After all we have company coming on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, and all the natural blings must look their best.

Some folks really gussy up for every holiday.  I heard of a friend's wife who hauls out 16 boxes of Halloween decor each October.  Oh, my!  For Christmas we do outside lights so that our Swedish neighbors across the street who have two small boys will not have to explain about the "older couple" across from them who for some reason are not in the mood for Christmas.  And we do a tree and set out a few other pretty little fancies we've had for years.  But we don't have even six boxes of decorations for Christmas.

The pointy leaves (top right of photo) indicate the earlier blooming plant.
Rounded leaves are the Christmas Cactus.

However, when my Christmas--oops, Thanksgiving Cactus brightens the distant corners of my house, I'm thrilled and want to help them show off their magnificence.   And I wanted to display the beauty of the flowers for all of you.   Spend a few minutes to "feel" the flower.  Sit with the delicate fabric of each petal, of the stamens and pistol.  Observe the awesome coming together of these plant cells to create this shimmering perfection.  The miracle of Christmas is all around.