Peace and Blessings

Our Christmas has been most blessed and peaceful. We spent yesterday with friends, Lyle and Sandy; a wonderful lunch and then we all walked the large parcel of land they recently purchased, a dream in the works with fields being made and a stunning view of Mt Monadnock, we enjoyed lots of conversation and some good laughs along the way. It was a special day. We spent a quiet Christmas Eve on the farm making calls to family and friends and then watching a silly Christmas movie. Outside it was a night as written in the carol "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"; We pictured the night Joseph and Mary found the stable where they bore a son amongst the sheep, donkey and straw. All the stars were bright, the air crisp and calm, and no snow. The night was quiet, silent night. Today we walked the dogs and did the sheep chores; a clean barn, hay and an extra treat of grain for all. As is our custom, we then opened our stocking presents, gave the pets some toys and catnip and opened gifts from our our friends. Bottles of wine, candles, LCD headlamps that clip to our hats or snowmobile helmets for night time fun ((good one Lyle and Sandy!). Berndt and Nancy gave us a handmade journal; how delightful! This painting came to us wrapped in newspaper, from our dear friend Mary. Her past was extremely difficult and she has endured unspeakable horrors. But Mary has been working very hard these past years to overcome her obstacles and with a little help from her friends has come to realize a new and better life. Her talent for drawing and painting has been recognized in the community and she has received grants to study with a local artist, Peter Granucci. Mary painted this in oil, free hand, her first drawn deer and with hours of instruction and guidance she took it to the framery store for framing. She had saved her money for months to pay for the framing. She wants the painting to hang in Jack's deer camp and we will do that today. What a gift; of light, love and true thankfulness. Shine on Mary! Now we are packing up a lunch of venison stew and buttered bread to take into the woods. Yummy! We will be collecting seasoned firewood which we will cut, split and deliver to an elderly couple in MA who cannot afford to buy the wood but do need the warmth around them. I hope we can deliver the wood next weekend.

May the light of Christmas fill your life today and in the year to come!