December 12 I Have Been Changed For Good

As I drove home from a "last" winter concert, the road was quiet but my thoughts loud. It started at the Maxx.

I have been a Maxx aficionado for years: gift wrap, holiday cards, specific gifts. Their holiday aisle has been a source of inspiration and bargains. I arrived with promise feeling quickly like I entered the Twilight Zone. No one checking out? Aisles picked over and bruised? I wondered if I had just hit an under stocked, store  until I went next door to Michaels, the remaining craft store in the NE.

Instead of the a store teeming with sale signs and customers, this too was a barren wasteland with 3 pathetic artificial trees and a handful of decorations. Ribbon?  Green? Pink? I left feeling changes in shopping patterns yet grateful for all those wonderful trips to those discount Meccas. David Bowie was singing in my head, "Ch, ch, ch changes, turn and face the strange.  

Fortunately, the concert was an uplifting experience where skilled teachers guided eager musicians to share amazing classical and contemporary pieces. I've known this orchestra, and its first violinist for a long time and they have come a long way.  THIS change fills me with HOPE and FAITH in the future of our society and our country even if the senior has one foot out the door and and Billie Joel was singing, "And so it goes...."

I was still wistful at the early morning concert of some former Zoom kindergartners who now sport violins, flutes and clarinets. I did not plan to get emotional, again.....They left me singing with Glinda:

They say people (and things) come into our lives for a reason,

Because I know you, I have been changed for good,"

December 11 Slice of Literacy

I missed "slicing" earlier this week as I battled a bug of sorts and pushed aside worries about the state of the world. Today, I am even more concerned. Let me explain.

I used to be a DD regular sipping on that caffeine-filled fuel during long commutes. These days I rarely stop for coffee as it is pricey and I make it at home. I had been out running errands when the desire for a second cup of jo percolated (pun intended) into my thinking. There was a much longer than expected line when I got inside and I almost decided it was not worth waiting. The line moved slowly as people ordered party boxes and gift cards and specialty drinks and I found my self in earshot of a gentleman who appeared to be of typical retirement age, dressed in a very worn and wrinkled suit, filling out an application with help from someone who did the writing. I couldn't help but overhear "9th grade in the Bronx," as well as his address, phone number, and his comment of, "any hours." 

The helper asked him to initial and sign the paper and grew indignant when he wrote something in the wrong place. "You really should learn how to read, and write if you want to work," she scowled in the tone children use with their parents when they are clearly frustrated! 

"It's too late for that, " he said softly., "I just want to keep my work and keep SNAP."

"It's not too late," she scoffed, "there is help at the library. Mom learned. You could if you were not so stubborn. You are not going to get a job if you can't read and you guys are going to be ......good luck." She left without a goodbye leaving him at the table looking far worse than I have been after battling the bug and pushing worries about the state of the world aside.  

I know there is a whole lot more to this story than my 5 minutes of eavesdropping revealed, yet I can't seem to get him off my mind. That DD application is probably a waste of time, but what kind of work can he, of a certain age get with limited literacy? 

 

December 8 Days of Gratitude

In a meeting about writing spurred by the TWT group yesterday, we talked about writing lists when writing tasks are just too big to start. Like so many others, I often find it hard to focus on happiness and gratitude during the holiday season, but writing this list was a reminder of the power of writing to clarify and deepen my own thinking........Here are 8 days of December Gratitude....

In the assurance of too many future gingerbread men, I am really grateful for a challenging aquacise class on this morning.

In lieu of the isolation of just five years ago, I am grateful for holiday concerts, gatherings, and even gift collection envelopes.

In light of the increasing darkness, I am really glad so many have turned on their holiday lights as it sure makes the evenings brighter!

In the wake of escalating prices and availability issues (Target was out of mittens already?), I am grateful there seem to be fewer mega-blow-ups lining streets!

In order to mitigate the mitten shortage (above), I am glad I have an old stash of fabric that includes ridiculously fluffy and messy fabric.

In an effort to control the mess created by the project above, I am grateful my aging vacuum is still able to clear messes in moments. 

In honor of those whose grief is palpable this holiday season, I am grateful for phone calls, text messages, and technology that makes them accessible. 

In an era of an enormous focus on skills spurred by the SoR people, even those of us who know every multisensory approach to phonics are grateful that writing empowered voices are still talking about the power of the written word to heal, connect and share meaning that took me decades to learn.

December 2025 Just Enough

The forecast called for snow, ice, possible messy roads. Instead, it was gray skies and a gentle white dusting of snow.  

It was just enough to put a smile on your face when you looked out the window.

It was just enough that no shoveling would be required.

It was just enough to allow those traveling to swim meets to get there safely.

It was just enough to make the trees look lovely but keep the aquacise class on schedule.

It was just enough to be the backdrop to a Santa Breakfast for some lucky families.

It was just enough to distract thinking from presents to Advent magic. 

It was just enough to be a reminder that miracles are possible. 

December 5 A Secret Santa

Most kids are like me, I guess, and realize either that there is no chimney or the bike/gift clearly came from a store.  I'm guessing some more curious than me unearth evidence of parental involvement. Yet, most kids just cruise along with the story because frankly who in their right mind would risk the pile of loot?  

As a parent and a teacher of younger kids, I have been questioned many, many times about the bearded gift deliverer. I have skirted the reality with a truth that echoes my heart and belief in the goodness of man and the possibilitiy of holiday miracles.  I never say, "Of course he is real," but I never bluntly say he is not real.  Children seem happy that we share a "secret" and I am not going to rock the boat!

Today, I brought a stack of books to one of those book boxes to share what my own grands no longer are reading. I guess I lingered a moment as I put the Grinch in the box and thought of how the story is part of my fiber.  "Christmas, perhaps, doesn't come from a store.  Christmas, it seems, is a little bit more." My eyes got teary. 

A little guy, not more than 5, asked if he could have the book. Then, he leaned in as if HE was the bearer of critical news.  "You know the Grinch is not real" he said softly "but I am almost positive and pretty sure that there is a real Santa who my dad helps."  I smiled.  We shared his secret. No words were needed.  

December 2 Giving From the Heart

On Giving Tuesday, I saw the Giving Tree filled with wishes, I grabbed a random middle-of-the-tree wish for a disabled veteran. It was a request for a CVS gift card. Glancing at the other wishes, it appeared they were all requests for gift cards: Walmart, Shop Rite, Walgreens, Kohls...

I stood there a moment and my mind raced back to years when I schlepped from store to store to shop for a family while my own gift-shopping waited in the wings. I smiled remembering that Christmas when I shopped for diapers and onesies things for the local shelter without a clue I would be a grandparent before the next Christmas!  So much work and if I am honest, so much fun gifting things we hoped others would like. 

As I drove home, my mind wandered to thoughts about impersonal gift cards and to highly impersonal "green" gifts to my family. Then, my plans exploded into something bigger than the monetary giving of this day that will take up every spare minute of the next few weeks and still leave me feeling frustrated because I will not likely get it all done! 

I decided to include "something from my heart" with the CVS card and every other gift! I pulled into the driveway, thought for a bit, and got to work creating with vigor that has languished for a long time. 

SOL25 December 2 Perspective Matters

 

"How did it get so late so soon? 

It's night before it's afternoon. 

December is here before it's June. 

My goodness how the time has flewn. 

How did it get so late so soon?” Seuss

I always think of Seuss on these really dark days when the Christmas lights are still few and far between and the Hanukkah candles are still waiting for their chance to shine. The darkness steals minutes of precious sunlight each day and to be honest, it can be pretty depressing. 

Yet, the the prolonged hours of darkness also yield magical moments of nature-provided beauty in the morning as well as in the evening, if keep your mind and your eyes open to the show. 

"Look at that sky," she screeched, "it's so happy the day is over, it is putting on a light show!" I'm reminded, on so many levels, perspective matters.

November 2025 Gratitude

 

Long ago, I had consumed a pumpkin-coffee, merged lanes, and filled bags with toys after unloading the dishwasher, sweeping the floor, and scraping ice off my car before 8 AM on Black Friday.  

This year, I had a cup of tea, walked the park, and took trash to the curb. There is nothing in the stores calling and the obscene prices will give me the same pause when I shop online, on Monday or Tuesday or whenever. So I  find myself reflective in a morning of extended-day gratitude as I prep for the always busy month of December.

In Random Order: Gratitude

Grands, who still hug with vigor

Children who acknowledge my love,

Medical miracles giving more days,

Family who share lives, loves, passions,

Social media images that connect, inspire,

Critical thinking, good intentions, forgiveness,

Friends who still connect from afar,

Pools filled with friends, hope, joy

Shopping carts in online stores,

Supporting this chapter.

November 2025 Red Sky Warning

Early in the morning, I walk to start my heart and then to assure its rhythm is in sync with the day. This week, the "red skies in the morning" have been notable, so I snapped this photo to remember. The ages old adage of "red sky in the morning, sailors take warning," echoes in my head as I walk without a coat on November mornings! 

Perhaps, this is a reminder to think of others?

Traveling in parts where the weather is not so wonderful?
Suffering from pain and anguish this holiday season?

Alone and or lonely as they work through life?

Hungry, unemployed, facing deportation?

Scared, worried, afraid?

Even as the big balloons still fill the NYC skies.

Even as the turkeys still fly off the shelf.

Even if we are envisioning different paths to a future.

I give thanks for the "warning," and slow down to notice others.

SOL 25 November 25 Passion for Life

I am thankful all year through for the TWT and their reminder to stop and reflect about the slices that make this gift of life interesting and memorable!  I wish you all a peaceful and safe holiday weekend.

Last weekend, I headed to the Putnam County Symphony where a group of dedicated musicians somehow find time to practice their violins, cellos, and oboes, without parental reminders and without pay amidst their busy lives. In spite of laundry and emails calling them, they work together to create beautiful music. It was amazing and a testament to the kind of enthusiasm that inspires humans to reach outside their comfort zones.  

Perhaps it is a similar fervor that

Propels runners to head into the darkness

In search of sunrises, serotonins and endorphins?

Drives painters and writers to risk hunger, comforts,

While they create masterpieces from their hearts and heads?

Moves gardeners into the heat of the day or into the driving rain,

To seize the moment when their plants and flowers might flourish?

Empowers athletes to forgo sleep, overlook pain, accept discomforts,

With a destination of a personal best in show for that moment in time?

Endows humans with unimaginable power to reach for a cure, accept risks,

Torture their bodies and minds in search of more days, more experiences, more life?

Grants the vigor needed to head to work when we are exhausted, overwhelmed?

Empowers the exhausted to be caregivers, providers for those who need support?

Yields the energy for cooking, baking, and transporting crowds this week!