Happy New Year!

"Divergent" book to read!

Divergent by Veronica Roth is a book I gave to my youngest daughter MJ for Christmas, just because it came up as a recommendation on Amazon. She read it within 24 hours, as I did after she gave it to me to read. It is intended to be the first in a trilogy of books taking place in a dystopian world. It is a debut novel for the author and is targeted for the young adult audience.

It is easy and riveting to read. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy, you will like this one. Amazingly, the second one entitled Insurgent will be published in May 2012.

Friday Five: Last Year and Next Year

Sally brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

A simple Friday Five for a busy part of the year; indulge me by sharing two fives:
As you look back over 2011 share 5 blessings, they can be as grand or as simple as you like,if you year has been like mine they are probably a mixture!

<--2011 Blessings (without counting family):
Three fabulous trips:
1. Spain with my youngest daughter MJ

2. U.S. National Parks on road trip with husband CB

3. Russia with friends in the Methodist Russian Initiative

4. Finally, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, with eventual relief of symptoms through the combination of methotextrate and Humira.

5. Reconnection with two seemingly "lost" people: my cousin Karen through cards and letters and former blogging friend Christina through the online game Words With Friends.

-->Looking to 2012:
1. More frequent visits to Austin to be with our granddaughter Avery, as she grows in both movement and learning. (She is walking a lot now.) Plus, see her parents there!

2. Visits to Houston to see son BJ.

3. I also hope to make visits to WA to see AE and KA plus to Calgary to see my elderly cousin Margaret.

4. Finally commit to and accomplish cleaning out excess in my house, which is too overwhelming to list. I hope to consistently work at this, and not start and stop--as I tend to do.

5. Spend one morning every other week at the church library, cleaning and organizing it.

My Christmas and Afterwards

One week ago, I felt sicker than this snowman looks. Last Thursday, after appointments with two different doctors, I surprisingly came home and vomited. Sadly, this was only hours after my grandbaby Avery and her parents had arrived.

I kept getting sicker, so that on Christmas Eve (Saturday) evening, our family doctor met us at his office and gave me a shot to stop the vomiting. Later my husband told me that Dr. S advised him to take me to the hospital if I kept throwing up. Luckily, the shot worked and by Sunday I could drink water (and keep it down).

Christmas was a blur for me, but seemed happy for everyone else. I am still grateful that husband CB, daughter-in-law AA, and youngest daughter MJ did all the cooking for breakfast and the big Christmas dinner. The girls made cinnamon rolls, apple and pecan pies, plus side dishes for dinner. CB cooked the turkey. I hear it all was lovely and delicious.

I finally started to feel better on Tuesday, so this stomach flu lasted for five days. So far, no one else has caught it from me. And today, one week since the onset, I feel really WELL. All's well that ends well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other health news is related to that first doctor's visit last Thursday, which was with my orthopedic surgeon, who happens to be married to a good friend of mine. This was about my shoulder that continues to hurt since I partially fell from a top bunk on a train in Russia. X-rays showed that I had torn my rotator cuff, with a bone chip floating around.

Yesterday I had an MRI on my shoulder, which showed more fully the damage done when I torqued my shoulder. Dr. D kindly explained it all in a phone call last night--that I tore the infraspinatus part of the rotator cuff, which he said is consistent with the description of how I fell on the Russian train. There are bone fragments loose, which will cause nerve pinching unless removed. So surgery is indicated.

Today I learned that I can have the surgery next Wednesday afternoon. I spent almost three hours at the hospital this afternoon pre-registering. I am glad it can be done so soon and by such an excellent surgeon, who is also a kind and good man.

Merry Christmas!

Church of the Resurrection and Spilled Blood
Saint Petersburg, Russia

40 Years Together

December 21, 1971
Jan and CB after wedding with
CB's brother Tom looking on

Christmas Wishes

Within Our Reach: Joy

— by Fra Giovanni Giocondo

Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c.1435–1515) was a Renaissance pioneer, accomplished as an architect, engineer, antiquary, archaeologist, classical scholar, and Franciscan friar. Today we remember him most for his reassuring letter to Countess Allagia Aldobrandeschi on Christmas Eve, 1513.

---

I salute you. I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not. But there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.

Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see. And to see, we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver. But we, judging its gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.

Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there. The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Your joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it; that is all! But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together, wending through unknown country home.

---

Mary

At Cathedral of the Resurrection and Spilled Blood
Saint Petersburg, Russia

All the pictures in this cathedral are mosaics, but to my untrained eye, they looked like paintings.

More Mysteries!!

I have recently discovered two new mystery writers I like, who have multiple books in their series. In fact I went to the library today and checked out eight books! (They are not due until Jan. 3, so I should have time after Christmas to read them more diligently.)

The first was a book loaned to two other people, one of whom passed it on to me--the first Charlie Moon mystery. I had not heard of these until now, and the author has been writing them since 1994 (one a year). the first one is The Shaman Sings by James D. Doss. I had six of these books in my Amazon shopping cart immediately after finishing that book last night, but I checked at the public library first today, which was the financially responsible thing to do. Now I have deleted them all from the cart. By using the library, I got copies much more quickly, though I must admit I was lucky that so many were on the shelves ready to be checked out. I'm also glad I did not succumb to the temptation of downloading them to my Kindle!

Even though this is a "Charlie Moon" mystery, he did not appear until the end, though his Aunt Daisy, an Indian shaman, was in the beginning of the book. There is also a small town Colorado sheriff who eventually meets both of them in solving the mystery. Charlie Moon is a (Ute) Tribal Police officer. Mystery, Indian mysticism and humor are all mixed in to make a good read.

It was a happy surprise that I found the other author, because I was first attracted by the cover drawn by Edward Gorey (1925-2000) at the independent Book People store in Austin. Then I read the employee's blurb about The Sybil in Her Grave, which got me to buy the book. This is the last mystery written by Sarah Caudwell (1939-2000) and was published posthumously. I am only 1/3 through the book but want to read the three others written by her. The hero of these books is Hilary Tamar, a professor Oxford, whose sex is never revealed. The elegance of language is beautiful, with humor and wonderful plots.

Shoveling Snow With Buddha

Daughter AE printed this poem, putting each letter (typesetting) in place beforehand in the printer. She and KA had this framed and gave it to CB and me during their visit to Austin this past weekend. This was our Christmas present from them.

I took the picture with my Ipod, on which eldest son DC demonstrated how to do that and email the photo to my blog. I love doing this now, which is how the last few pictures have been posted to the blog.

The poem is entitled "Shoveling Snow With Buddha" by Billy Collins. The framed poem is hanging on the wall I am looking at right now--above this computer screen. I'll re-read it often this way.

Shoveling Snow With Buddha

In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok
you would never see him doing such a thing,
tossing the dry snow over a mountain
of his bare, round shoulder,
his hair tied in a knot,
a model of concentration.

Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word
for what he does, or does not do.

Even the season is wrong for him.
In all his manifestations, is it not warm or slightly humid?
Is this not implied by his serene expression,
that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?

But here we are, working our way down the driveway,
one shovelful at a time.
We toss the light powder into the clear air.
We feel the cold mist on our faces.
And with every heave we disappear
and become lost to each other
in these sudden clouds of our own making,
these fountain-bursts of snow.

This is so much better than a sermon in church,
I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shoveling.
This is the true religion, the religion of snow,
and sunlight and winter geese barking in the sky,
I say, but he is too busy to hear me.

He has thrown himself into shoveling snow
as if it were the purpose of existence,
as if the sign of a perfect life were a clear driveway
you could back the car down easily
and drive off into the vanities of the world
with a broken heater fan and a song on the radio.

All morning long we work side by side,
me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence,
until the hour is nearly noon
and the snow is piled high all around us;
then, I hear him speak.

After this, he asks,
can we go inside and play cards?

Certainly, I reply, and I will heat some milk
and bring cups of hot chocolate to the table
while you shuffle the deck.
and our boots stand dripping by the door.

Aaah, says the Buddha, lifting his eyes
and leaning for a moment on his shovel
before he drives the thin blade again
deep into the glittering white snow.

-Billy Collins,

Picnic, Lightning

Friday Five: To Do List

Ever since I was little, I heard that Santa is making a list and checking it twice. I can see why he has to keep checking it, because there is so much to do before Christmas! Only nine days left, and I don't have church services to plan, but there is much left to be done. My daughter-in-law tells me that she feels behind, which is how I have been feeling.

No matter how organized you are, there must be some things you still need to do. For this Friday Five, tell us five things on your Christmas "To Do" List. Include anything you have decided to skip doing this year. As a bonus, give us something that helps you remember why this season even exists.

1. Decorations out--I'm not sure how much will get out. We finally put up a Christmas tree last night. The lights are on it and an angel on top, but still no other decorations. I am thinking that it looks very nice as it is.

2. Baking cookies--I've only baked the only family favorite "Holiday Sparklers," which are butter cookies with three chocolate chips rolled in the middle of each ball. Each ball is topped with green or red sprinkles. I am not sure how many other ones I will try; usually I bake way too many.

3. Decide on our Christmas meal--Over my entire life, we've always had about the same menu for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. This last Thanksgiving had me wondering if I really wanted the same old, same old. I know I am stuck with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, but I need to plan what the accompanying items will be.

4. Find out when and if third child (and second son) BJ is coming home for Christmas.

5. Clean out the big drawer under the wall ovens to be devoted to Avery's books and toys--before she and her parents arrive next Thursday.

Bonus: Centering Prayer at least once a day--twice would be better, but that is not always managed, to my chagrin.

Another picture of Avery

CB holding Avery, while she and I look at each other.

Daughter AE used up her entire memory card taking pictures during her visit to Austin to see us (and especially Avery) this past weekend. It was wonderful to have all our children together for a short while. Thank you, AE and KA, for flying to Austin from Seattle!!

Christmas Reindeer

Near the gingerbread village of TX buildings at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin is this funny reindeer.

Santa's Little Helper

Avery has taken one or two steps!

Avery's Elephant

Aunt KA knitted this cute elephant for Avery

I am so excited!

At 7:30 this morning we are driving to Austin from Corpus Christi! We'll be seeing ALL our children, plus our one grandchild. Daughters AE and KA flew to Austin from Seattle yesterday.

I am so excited!!

Christmas Shopping

I have done almost all my Christmas shopping on the internet this year. I find that easier, especially when people have Amazon Wish Lists.

Friday Five: Random

Revkjarla brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

I don't know about you, but my life seems to have a lot of random surprises lately. Just little things,like the doggy in the picture, who was rescued by a Good Samaritan from running into traffic, who then brought him to the police, who brought him to my neighbor's house. I took the doggy, now named Scout, to the vet on Monday, and the woman behind the desk said, "This dog looks so familiar. Were you here last week?" I told her no, that this particular dog is a stray, and she looked at me, and said (use your best Boston accent here), "Oh my GAWD! I rescued that dog on Satuhday! I took him to the police!" and then she proceeded to tell me the story. She was Scout's angel.

Random, right?

So, for our Friday Five, I invite you share five random things about you, or five random thoughts, or five random surprises in your life.

Just be random!

This goes along with something my friend Katherine said to me today about her husband--he will ask "Tell me something interesting." That could be random but interesting!

1. I've been hating my hair recently, as it has been so flyaway and weird. When I got my hair cut recently, I asked Dee, who has cut my hair for the past 18 years, about it. She said it is because I have varied lengths of little hairs coming up on top of my head--I have been losing hair over the past few months so slowly that I did not notice. I had thought I had escaped side effects of taking methotextrate for my RA, even though my rheumatologist asks me at every appointment if I am losing hair. . . .and I had not thought so until now! So I am in the in-between stage of growing out my bangs, so the weight will cover up the little hairs. So I am encouraged.

2. Daughters AE and KA are flying from Seattle to Austin on Saturday! They are not going to spend Christmas with us, but will visit KA's family in Ohio instead. So we are having a mini-family gathering this weekend in Austin. Yay!

3. AE and KA gave me the newly published book 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami for my birthday, which was also its publication date. I plan to read this thick book after Christmas when I have more time to dedicate myself to it. I had never heard of it before they gave it to me, even though many people were awaiting its publication.

4. I love playing Words with Friends on my Ipod, even though I usually lose.

5.I had to go to three different supermarkets to find red sprinkles (sugar) to buy. I cannot find red currant jelly anywhere in Corpus Christi, but may get it in Austin. At least, I am getting ready to bake Christmas cookies! (The only Christmas item I've brought out is our Christmas wreath on the door. Husband CB put lights on the house outside, too.)

Personal Mail 1963-2011

The U. S. Post Office continues to lose money. They are planning to close processing centers so that first class mail will take longer to reach recipients. The only complaints seem to be from companies about bills and payments taking longer to get to the proper addresses.

Unlike the above commercial for zip codes from 1963, regular citizens of the USA do not seem to be affected by the projected change in mail delivery--or the media assumes we do not care. I object to it, because I like to write notes and cards to friends and family and dislike the way such mail will take longer for them to receive.

In 1963 the Post Office visibly encouraged people to use zip codes, because back then there was no internet and little long-distance phone service. Living in Japan 1961-64, we came back to direct dialing on the phone and zip codes for mail!

I feel sad that letter writing is a dying art. In fact, a dear friend died in October at the age of 94 years and she was my most consistent correspondent. Her demise and also her age illustrate that the era of handwritten correspondence is disappearing.

Now I feel like the Postal Service is contributing to the idea that handwritten correspondence is outdated and slow. Snail mail will be even slower in the future.

Sad. . . .maybe my age (61) also shows why I still like to write with a pen, though I must admit I don't do it as frequently or prolifically as I did in the past.

Don't you like to get a "real" note (not a bill or advertisement) in the mail? At least, we'll get a few more in this holiday season, but after that I don't know.

12 Gifts of Christmas

I just came across "The 12 Gifts of Christmas," a list of kind things to do for strangers for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. It would be most appropriate to post this 12 days before Christmas, but I'll probably forget, so here it is:

12 Gifts of Christmas by Trista Wilson and here is her list:

THE 12 GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS:

DAY 12: (DECEMBER 13)-- Buy food for a homeless person (or someone in need). This does not have to be expensive. $5 should cover lunch.

DAY 11: (DECEMBER 14)-- Write a kind, hand-written letter to someone that changed your life for the better. And no, I'm not talking about an email or a text...I'm talking about snail mail people. ;) (This can be to a childhood friend, a teacher from the past, or even an old baby-sitter that impacted your life for the better.)

DAY 10: (DECEMBER 15)-- Pay for the person's order in line behind you in either the coffee drive-thru, fast food, a tollbooth, train ticket, etc. (There are a LOT of options here...)

DAY 9: (DECEMBER 16)-- Put grocery carts away in a random parking lot for other shoppers or find carts that others have left behind. It will help the employees out by bringing them indoors where they belong.

DAY 8: (DECEMBER 17)-- Write a letter of thanks to the armed forces. (Yes, even if you don't support the war. Remember that these people are risking their lives daily in order to ensure our safety and Freedom).

Here is the address:

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

DAY 7: (DECEMBER 18)-- Buy or bake something for a neighbor. You may know them well, you may have never even introduced yourself. So here's your chance;)

DAY 6: (DECEMBER 19)-- Buy a $5 or $10 gift card for a grocery store, gas station, coffee place, etc. Leave the gift card on a random park bench or windshield of someone's car.

DAY 5: (DECEMBER 20)-- Do something kind for the elderly. This can be anything from helping them to their car with heavy groceries, holding the door open for them, volunteering at a retirement home, or even raking their leaves.

DAY 4: (DECEMBER 21)-- Tape quarters to a vending machine. So simple, yet so convenient! I honestly cannot count how many times I have wanted a snack or a soda, but could not dig up that last quarter to satisfy my craving.

DAY 3: (DECEMBER 22)-- Leave a generous tip for a server, barista, or bartender--along with a nice note. This will most likely make their night. Having been in all three of these positions, I know how easy it is to get discouraged when guests are difficult and do not tip. This could turn their entire day around!

DAY 2: (DECEMBER 23)-- Purchase a gift card at a local grocery store (of any amount). Turn around in line, and hand it to the first person you see. Then walk away. No explanation is needed. I'm sure their expression will say it all.

Day 1: (DECEMBER 24)-- YOUR turn to choose a random act of kindness. I thought it would be fun to see the different ideas everybody comes up with for this last day before Christmas. Be creative. The sky is the limit. =)

Trista like you to document this and if you do so, please email your blog address and the account of your experience to CHAINLINKS08@GMAIL.COM.

If you'd like to get involved online on Facebook, go to
https://www.facebook.com/events/315454065150001/

Or just try one or all twelve activities now or on the dates indicated. Show you care!