THOUGHT(S) FOR THE DAY

[becke_davis]

"Love awoke one winter's night
And wander'd through the snowbound land,
And calling to beasts and birds
Bid them his message understand.

And from the forest all wild things
That crept or flew obeyed love's call,
And learned from him the golden words
Of brotherhood for one and all."

-   Author Unknown

[becke_davis]

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 

~Charles Dickens

[becke_davis]

"Through bare trees 
I can see all the rickety lean-tos 
and sheds, and the outhouse 
with the half-moon on the door, 
once modestly covered in 
summer's greenery. 

Through bare trees 
I can watch the hawk 
perched on a distant branch, 
black silhouetted wings 
shaking feathers and snow, 
and so can its prey. 

Through bare trees 
I can be winter's innocence, 
unashamed needfulness, 
the thin and reaching limbs 
of a beggar, longing to touch 
but the hem of the sun."

-  Lisa Lindsey, Bare Trees

[becke_davis]

This is a little early, but I leave for Florida tomorrow and, while I will have my computer with me, I won't be on it as much as usual. I wanted to be sure and wish you all a very Merry Christmas (or best wishes for whatever holiday you celebrate). I've posted some of my favorite carols on the Kingdom of Wordsmithonia site, but I like this one a lot, too:

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth, I said,

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

[TiggerBear]

Happy Holidays Becke! Have a great time with your family. Travel safe.

[becke_davis]

'll have my laptop in the car, so you may hear from me en route!

[becke_davis]

[TiggerBear]

Well that out does plain old glitter anyday!

[becke_davis]

Auld Lang Syne
by Robert Burns 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine; 
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine; 
But seas between us braid hae roar'd 
Sin' auld lang syne

And here's a hand, my trusty friend, 
And gie's a hand o' thine; 
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne, 
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet 
For auld lang syne

*****************************************

Wikipedia has a fascinating page about these verses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne

Order the music here:

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Auld-Lang-Syne/Royal-Scots-Dragoon-Guards/e/5014675307833/?itm=1&USR...

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Robert-Burns-A-Tribute-for-Auld-Lang-Syne/e/5014675307932/?itm=1&USR...

[becke_davis]

[becke_davis]

I've found so many vintage postcards with pictures of gnomes, gold and pigs, but I can't find what legend they are connected to. Any of you know?

And, by the way:

[TiggerBear]

I'm still head scratching over what auld means.

[becke_davis]

I'm pretty sure "auld" is just a Scottish version of "old."

[Choisya]

Yes, Auld Lang Syne means for old times sake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvJRmdN9iyU&feature=fvw

Today I am giving my house a good 'fettle' (clean) before the New Year and I will be putting out a piece of coal and some silver for 'first footing'.  One of my lodgers is tall, dark and handsome so he will bring in the coal and silver on New Year's Day and I will reward him with a mince pie and a dram of whisky.  

Meanwhile my friends in Scotland will be taking part in the pagan Fireballing ceremony at Stonehaven! (A good festival for Wiccans TB - see video in R&S bookclub.)

http://i.123g.us/c/ejan_ny_happy/card/109529.gif 

[becke_davis]

Choisya - What a beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne - thank you!

I'd forgotten about First Footing, but I do remember hearing about it when we lived in England.

I have a friend in Scotland, and I know they celebrate Hogmanay.

This is the Disney resort where my daughter works -- wish we could stay for their New Year's Eve balloon drop!

 

[becke_davis]

[becke_davis]

Mark Twain
New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

[Choisya]

My one resolution is to take more exercise each day and to that end I have purchased two American DVDs of Chair Dancing which are great fun!  I am a little unsteady on my feet these days so sitting down to exercise indoors is safer for me although I also intend to take a walk around the block each day too.  I think 20 year old Cleo has heard of my good intentions as this morning she was playing with her table tennis ball for the first time in ages!  

[becke_davis]

After having a very calorific holiday in Florida, I need to basically duct tape (gaffer tape to Choisya) my computer to the treadmill and just keep going for the next month or two.