I Remember When ...

... I could simply go to bed when I so chose. Now, it's a production that takes time.

I took this picture once I organized myself for bed on Christmas Eve when we slept over at the kids' place. My camera was near at hand, and I couldn't resist.

Starting on the far left are two types of sleeping pills — melatonin and a prescription. I find that with both (and both are fairly mild), I can often obtain a decent nights sleep — but not that night, of course.

Then, there comes my iPod, which gives me something to do in the event that sleep eludes. It was well used that night. In front of it are my hearing aids.

Next, comes both hand lotion and lip balm. It was a dry night, and they both got used.

Don't forget the hanky and two types of eye ointment. I use the stuff in the tube when I go to bed and use the drops during the night if needed because they are much easier to administer in the dark. My eyes get horribly dry at night to the point where I sometimes think that the lids may stick to the eyeball.

On the far right are two kinds of cough drops: one more for the throat and one for the cough. These are not a constant in my life, but when I do come down with something or other, my throat is usually the first part of my body to be hit. And I was under attack over Christmas.

Finally, at the front is my trusty magnetic flashlight, which can be awfully handy when I'm searching for one necessity or other in the dark.

At home, these items are spread here and there, but when they are assembled together like this, they highlight how pathetic I really am.

It was a long night, made longer by the fact that I was determined to stay in bed so that the kids could wake us in the morning proclaiming that Santa had been. When Danica bounded in, it was like being released from prison, I tell ya.

At home and after several more bad nights, I am almost delirious to report that I slept for about ten hours last night. I don't think I have slept that long in more than a decade. I did have my usual restless period from about 3 - 4. Sometimes, it forces me to get up, but last night I was able to stay the course and get back to sleep.

It Was A White Christmas

My goodness! The solstice brought our first heavy snowfall, and it was heavy in terms of both volume and stickiness. Days later, it was still clinging to polls and trees and still is to some extent. We've since had another fairly major fall, but these photos are all taken after the first one and before Christmas.

It's been difficult to get out and around. In eight winters, I have never witnessed the town's streets being in such horrendous shape. Driving around town is like driving on an unmaintained sideroad — maybe worse because it's not only very bumpy but also icy. Yesterday, I was driving slowly due to the conditions, but even then, there was so much ice underneath that I was barely able to stop at an intersection. The car just kept going thru, and the brakes only fully deployed about a foot from a cab that was stopped in the intersection. Scarey stuff.

Therefore, I haven't gone far to take pictures, and even then, I've had limited access due to snowbanks. But here are some shots that I did take and like. For this set, you might want to click on the first and view them larger as this is the end of my commentary.

Merry Christmas

Christmas is here or at least the Eve is here, so I present a few photos from our place to you. I begin with this very short clip of our Christmas carousel. I uploaded this thru Blogger rather than YouTube, and I don't think I'll do that again, as I don't see options for viewing it larger. Oh well.

Here's a picture of the carousel that you can actually see.

We don't have a fireplace, but Sue runs our fake fireplace during this season and even thru much of winter. In front are some of her collection of Christmas books. I replaced our plain wall with digital Christmas wallpaper.

When we moved to this smaller place eight Christmases past, we did not bring our tree with us. We purchased this small pre-lit one that we can put up or take down within minutes. We are not exactly lacking of Christmas decorations, so this small tree suits us well.

We have two fake candles that look pretty doggone real. I bought this red one for Sue last Christmas, and we have since added a white one for all seasons.

Finally, here is a Santa from Shauna's workplace. I did a bit of photoshopping and added the background lights are from our tree.

I wish you a Merry Christmas wherever you may be.

Cup of Christmas Tea

Even though Sue loves her tea, we don't often get the pretty cups out. I mean to say, "The woman wants big mugs full of tea, not tiny cups." However, the cups do make for a pretty display.

I am reminded of Tom Hegg's poem, "A Cup of Christmas Tea." The poem has been turned into a book, which I, somehow, managed to miss reading until a few years ago, despite the fact that it has been in Sue's collection for a long time now.

When I did get around to reading this schmaltzy piece, I couldn't staunch the tears. When I thought to look it up again this year, my eyes moistened once again.

The poem is about a man, whose aunt invited for Christmas tea. He hasn't seen her in a long time, but is somewhat reluctant to visit because she suffered a stroke in the past year. He thinks he would prefer to remember her the way she was. Of course, he does go, and it was the right choice.

In this video, Heggs reads the poem. It's about 7 minutes long, but I think you will like it if you are not already familiar with this piece. You can also read the poem as he recites it.

Click here if you would like to read the whole piece in your own time. I would paste it here, but I am not sure if that is ethical.

Snow Storm

We have experienced a major storm over the past day and a half — almost a record 40+cm (getting near 1.5ft). It was still falling lightly this morning, but I decided to try for a few photos. I bundled up, and at a windchill of -15°C/5°F, I wasn't cold. However, the wind was blowing fiercely and driving the snow into my eyes, so I turned back pretty quickly.

It was still pretty dark and bleak, and that is reflected in the pictures.

Neighbour was already out shovelling her driveway and her neighbour's (double shared drive).

Snow hung on the branches, but I didn't go far enough to get good pictures.

This is one reason why I don't want a dog — the necessity of walking the critter at all hours in all weather.

The road is snow-covered and quite icy also.

The storm resulted in the third cancellation of school buses in two weeks yesterday, so we've had much time with Daniloohoo lately. The kids is a force of nature, so it may take us awhile to recover.

I wanted to take some pictures of out tv corner with Christmas books and the faux fireplace crackling, but someone soon inserted herself into the action.

I was using a tripod and a slow shutter speed, so this became a unique photo.

Interesting distortion from a wide angle lens. I could correct this in post, but I like it as it is.

More Videos of You Guessed It

Yesterday felt like Christmas Eve around here. First, we attended Danica's school's Christmas concert, and then we prepared a dinner for Mom's birthday.

Now, you all know that I am modest and hate to brag, but Danica was one of three students chosen to read at the concert. This is a JK to Grade 3 school, so I think her being chosen while still in Kindergarten is quite remarkable. Naturally, I claim that she takes after her grandfather. Yeah, sure.

After the concert, we brought her home to help prepare for Mom's birthday dinner, after which she decided to read Polar Express to us. She persisted and read the whole book without prompting, This is a little snippet which was brought to a premature conclusion by Daddy spilling coke.

While I am posting videos, I may as well include a clip of her Kindergarten class singing and wishing us Mele Kalikimaka. Her class represented Hawaii as the school commemorated Christmas around the world. After a parade of nations through the auditorium, each class did a little presentation in their own classroom.

Mostly Danica Videos

Some video from last Saturday for some family members. Danica's two dance classes plus a fiddler at the Kintail Country Christmas. Danica makes an appearance or two in the fiddle video.