While the dates on the calendar remain the same, the holidays often grow and change with us. Happy things are both added and taken away with time, but traditions that are precious to us persist through the years. We can keep memories alive in this time of year and take the time to relax and reflect amongst all of the hustle and bustle. Part of ( Read more... )

Even when things are difficult, the holidays still come. While they often feel like an obligation, they can be used as an opportunity to connect if we can manage. And even if we don't have many happy holiday memories, maybe we can use this time of year to make some with the ones that we love. In reflection and hope, here's a holiday story for ( Read more... )

After a day of putting things away (mostly just to empty a bookcase that something fell behind), I started "Penguin Highway" and while it's cute and coming of age, I ran out of gas before finishing it and fell asleep in the recliner. Which wasn't bad because Mom called around 8 to wish me happy birthday and luckily I was still awake. Slept until ( Read more... )

The twelve days of Christmas refers to the days from Christmas to Epiphany, in the traditional celebration of Christmas. Or, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year's, New Year's Eve, the associated weekends, and 3 mystery days. The winter holidays are more than just one day or one celebration, it's an special feeling that comes every year ( Read more... )

Having only annual benchmarks in this journal is a curious way to measure. But, after last years melancholy, things felt radically different this year and if I had the same day a year ago, I don't know if it would have felt as good ( Read more... )

Near or far, Christmas is the feeling that lives in your heart. Even if we can't celebrate exactly the way that we used to, the holiday spirit can permeate in the good things we do for each other during this time of year. Taking care of each other is what the season should be about. To keep our spirits lifted on cold nights, here's a holiday ( Read more... )

Setting: A global pandemic that has upended day to day life ( Read more... )

It felt like a good year to reconnect with those we haven't in a while. Above everything, togetherness and thoughtfulness is something that makes this time of year special. Even if it isn't on the day proper or before a certain day, the feeling and love for each other is what should connect us during the season. With that connection in mind, ( Read more... )

Things are feeling less like outliers when they start repeating ( Read more... )

The Christmas engine was working double time to out everything that it could before the big day this year. It was sure putting out a lot of heat, but it mostly made all of it's stops! The holiday season can be complicated for many, but if everyone keeps love in their heart, there is so much we could understand about each other. Once again, here' ( Read more... )