The holiday season, this time of year, is such a catalyst for Things. I don’t understand all of it, but I’m left in awe of the obvious and apparently supernatural “meddling” that goes on. I mean, you never really think of “God’s fingerprints” except as in a child’s song, but seriously this time, guys--this time it took my breath away. It was enough for me to feel so taken care of. I also feel totally guilty and violently ambivalent regarding several Issues . . . but how my heart is moved to feel tonight! How do I express this? Maybe I should be sticking to more mundane things:)

The feline to whom I pay homage is now experimentally curling on my new grey sweatshirt (generic-looking but my mother has this odd knack for buying things that will last forever and fit just the way you want them to). She (the cat, not my mother) has eaten the daisy from out of my little juice-glass vase and was looking quite smug about the whole business when I dragged myself up the stairs to my room.

Speaking of stairs, what color do bruises typically turn after they have been a deep grapley purple? I have two beautifully elliptic ones from slipping on our stairs the other day.

Two of my Christmas gifts--both from my parents--were cds. One of them is of Luciano Pavorotti singing love songs in Italian. The Small Furry ones present laid back their ears when he began to declare “ti adOOOOOOOOROOOO!!” I venture to imagine that this cd will not become one of those I sing along to. The other cd will get me in more trouble, I think; it has some singable songs on it:)

Tomorrow I’m going to doctor my seriously chapped lips with lip balm and calm my frizzled nerve-ends with a cup of tea. I shall sleep late and wake up warm . . .

merry christmas, all:) warmest hopes for a need-fulfilling resty time from the ordinary days we all endure . . . may you sleep deeply and remember only pleasant dreams upon awakening.

“From noise of Scare-fires rest ye free,
From Murders Benedicite.
From all mischances, they may fright
Your pleasing slumbers in the night:
Mercie secure ye all, and keep
The Goblins from ye, while ye sleep.”
--r. herrick