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.