Vibrant Village ™

December already—how fast the days move this time of year. Fast-forward, our days speed ahead from feasting on turkey with family and friends on Thanksgiving—that most congenial of holidays—to this hectic time of gift-gathering.

That is, if one celebrates Christmas.  At my house, we're opted out.  With no 'young-un's' expecting gifts, we've hunkered down with piles of tempting books and mugs of hot chocolate. I'm diving into Steinbeck's Log from the Sea of Cortez and after that I'm going to re-visit Grapes of Wrath. Given the shape the economy's in, I figured maybe I could pick up some pointers within its pages.

Turning our back on the the clarion call to shop and buy, we're instead celebrating these days and nights of decreased light with a peaceful inner light that says seasons greetings in a more elemental way.

All summer long, I'd craved these quiet nights of early darkness and hot chocolate

Piling on quilts and comforters, reading in bed while the world snoozes, with no buzz of mosquito or fly to interrupt my travels with Steinbeck.

Answering my body's cry for carbs, I make a hearty potato soup, bake bread, pile on the pasta.  Who am I to resist what nature calls me to do.  After all, doesn't she know best?

For the antidote for carb-fired fat gain, I force myself from hearth and home and bicycle to the gym to do penance on the treadmill and elliptical. See me go,  chubby little hamster.  Run carb lady, run.

Soon comes the winter solstice

The shortest day of the year, when light and darkness are equally balanced.  There's a magic there I do love. The candles in our windows shine forth, we decorate our homes with Christmas lights, light the eight candles of Hanukkah's Festival of Light menorah—we acknowledge, we celebrate and welcome the miracle of the coming of the light.

We throw another Yule log on the fire and gaze into the ancient blaze.  The dog and cat come and huddle close enough to sizzle fur, their eyes drowsy with contentment.

Our flames and lights shine forth, inside and outside our homes.  We've survived the darkness.  Here once again, come the longer days of light.

Each dear family member and friend is the flame that warms me just now

True, they warm me all through the year, but most especially now. These days of darkness, when it's shivery cold and that North winds blows with a bite, I'm protected by their laughter, the time we find to spend together.  Our conversations that range wide and free. Lost in giggles, or lost in thought, we travel far.

Maybe this is why the call to seasonal shopping leaves me cold   All year I think of them, and they of me.  We give each other little gifts.  Maybe a book.  A newspaper clipping of interest.  A loaf of banana bread. A link to a funny video we know will make them laugh.

My world would indeed be dark without their brilliance. Since I cannot find 'friendship,' 'love,' 'grace,' or 'laughter,' at the mall or in any cyber store I've yet located, I turn my back on this particular shopping season and instead put the water on to boil for the tea pot.

Bad consumer am I

Nothing that requires batteries will be sent from my household to yours.  No waffle irons or anything that slices, dices or chops.  The Gross National Product will just have to slouch along without me.  I'm investing in Gross Personal Friendship.

You know who you are.  I love you.  A  big hug, wrapped in red ribbons, is saved, just for you. Seasons Greetings.

Bring on the light.