Going Home., Christian Funeral Hymn , sung by Richard Carney, Claremor...

Favorite Holiday / Christmas Shows & Movies

Don't you just love the variety and increasing number of Christmas and Holiday movies and television movies / shows now on television and --in increasing numbers--on dvd's? Years ago, we only got to watch a few animated Christmas shows--and maybe a couple of movies that were run a few times every year, from "Holiday Inn" to "White Christmas" to "Christmas Carol" to Miracle on 34th Street and a few others. Now, we get to watch those --along with so many versions of those movies / shows--AND --over the past ten years in particular --we have so many NEW productions --animated programs, big screen movies, and ( especially for me ) television movies --and most particularly --those produced by Lifetime and Hallmark! As someone who loves to "escape" life through reading and a limited niche of television shows--this explosion in "remakes of older productions" --along with the explosion of new, original productions that are Christmas and holiday based --allows me to "escape" throughout the year! I'm clearly not the only person who feels that way--as there wouldn't be all these new productions --and/or releases on dvd ( I still have maybe 50 holiday / Christmas movies on vcr too ) wouldn't be happening unless there was a substantial audience / market for them! Because there are now so many movies and programs available--we're blessed to be able to watch these shows over and over again throughout the year! I watch 2-3 every week --52 weeks a year--especially as I have trouble sleeping --and can often be found in our den at 3:00 in the morning escaping into pleasant, "feel good" shows. The number of us doing that --throughout the year--is growing--perhaps a reflection of how uncertain, hard, and daunting life has become ...and I'm grateful for the opportunity to escape like this! I connect with Hallmark in particular on Facebook---and have / and do--encourage them to release dvd's even faster than they are! What's your favorite 3 programs / movies?

Still loving lights

Lol...I noticed when I recently returned here that one of my last posts was about lights--holiday lights --Christmas lights--white lights ( for the most part during the "non-Christmas / holiday" season )---and how I enjoy seeing more people and businesses with light displays all year round! We now have two indoor trees ( don't like the word "artificial --but not growing --how's that ) --about five feet tall counting the bases ---and we keep them lit --with white lights--all year. The other decorations are changed throughout the year, to keep with the seasons--and are pretty minimal--just enough to accent the lights --and the time of year. Right now --as winter draws slowly ( here in New England, very slowly, as we are experiencing a snow storm today through tomorrow ) to a close--we have a birds nest and pinecones --a few other "woodsy" decorations along with white lights ....and our decorations are always intended to make the trees look natural and lifelike. Beautiful during the day ...warm, bright, peaceful, and comforting at night. During the holiday / Christmas season ( which extends from just prior to Thanksgiving through January ) include deer / reindeer --a Christmas tree--some bushes--and our statue of Mary that is the focus of a spotlight .....the rest of the year the shrine to Mary, next to a three foot tall pine shrub, are lit...and the light pole at the end of the walkway stays lit until mid-April---and will be covered with white lights again in October .... We have noticed even more homes and businesses with light displays year round..and why not? The world seems to be out of control...so much mean-ness and tension...and the world moves so quickly ...way too quickly for many of us....our lights and I suspect the lights left lit throughout the year by others is just an effort to present a welcome..a sense of peace....something to prompt a smile and momentary sliver of calm .....and a reminder that there is more to just life here ..the lights for some of us anyway also reflect the stars in the heavens....a presence beyond what we can see .... As far as I'm concerned, we need more peace, more calm, more smiles ...and more lights....

The warmth of lights throughout the year

I love Christmas lights--and I love the warmth of white lights year round! While the multi-colored lights that are more specific to Christmas are wonderful to behold throughout the holiday season --and I wish folks would keep those lights up through January---I find white lights give off a "welcoming:" message --and a "warmth of heart" throughout the year. We have strings of white lights that are left on most all day and night on a small tree inside the living room in front of a window...and the statue of The Virgin Mary is lit up at night..as is a smallish arbovite that stands nearby ...I don't sleep well, and coming out to sit for an hour or so in the living room is made more tranquil by the lights ...and I hope we project a friendliness and warmth in the neighborhood ... In the "dead of night"--around two or three in the morning...when the world is enveloped by a deep darkness, our lights are often the only ones visible in the neighborhood ...cutting through the darkness and issuing forth a message that the light cuts through all darkness ...if nothing else the light provides me a feeling of the warmth and comfort ....and hoping anyone who passes by gets the same sense.... Over the past couple of years I've noticed others in our section of Worcester also displaying lights throughout the year. Beyond light as a safety / security tool...they're pretty! And..there is nothing wrong with just adding some beauty to the world!

The time I spent away

I haven't posted much of anything since fall of 2015--and wanted to apologize and explain my absence. My sister, Judy Duncan, had lived about 3 years in a nursing home, and her health took an extremely severe turn in September. I was blessed to be able to take time away from my work--and writing / blogging ----and spend some time most every day with Judy untl she went home to God in late October. These days were precious indeed--and a great gift. My heart just wasn't into writing for several months --anything I wrote "came out" sad or angry..... But I feel more balanced now--and looking forward to happy diversions --and sharing information, opinions, ideas, and photos about the Christmas--celebrations--services--and the way we "keep Christmas in our hearts" throughout the year.

Two Wonderful CDs

Listening this morning to "Christmas with Julie Andrews" --and "Katherine Jenkins--This Is Christmas" ---two of my favorite CDs ---and two of the most under-rated singers I believe---along with Marie Osmond.....so calming ...so beautiful......what are your favorite Christmas / Holiday CDs--Tapes--or Albums?

Looking for Christmas Light Displays and Events

I'm looking for Christmas Light Displays --Events --Services --to write feature stories and include photos in my blogs and free-lance writing....if you can steer me to displays and events you're familiar with --I'd appreciate it! Thanks