Christmas Eve with the Moravians

Oh what a wonderful Christmas we have had. We were invited to the Needham's, neighbors of ours here at Brookberry Farm, to an Open House, then those who wanted joined them for Christmas Eve services at one of our local Moravian churches. It was so neat. The only thing missing was Leah's presence, as she is in Singapore, but God has big Hands, and we knew she was fine. We got to the church at 6:00. I noticed on the marquee that it said services started at 8 PM. I asked Lynda, again, what time services were and she repeated, "7:30." I told her the marquee said, "8:00," so we asked one of the few church volunteers there at 6:15, what time services were. "Eight o'clock, he replied." I loved how we all smiled and sat down near the front, since we were the only ones there other than them and the pastor. It didn't matter. It was simply decorated for Christmas with only four colors evident in the whole church...white walls, woodwork--including pews, and the dark trim atop the white, and red and green decorations. (The carpet appeared to be a light green, as did the cushions on the pews, but I could be wrong, as it was dimly lit.) It was a wonderful time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

The hand-dipped beeswax candles, probably made in Old Salem, one of the first Moravian Settlements here in North Carolina, were evident at the front of the church with the beautiful red ribbons adorning each of them. It's quite a sight. I wish I had taken a picture since I had so much time. There was a white multifaceted star over the pulpit where the pastor, Rev. Dr. Worth Green, delivered the message, which was simple and very personable. He commented on the 2nd stanza of "Away in a Manger," and it was profound, but I didn't write it down. I went back(4 days later) and looked at the song and decided I liked the last stanza the best because it reminds me of Christ's eternal qualities. "Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there." (Pastor Green, please comment in the comment section to offer explanation for our enrichment. Thank you.)

We were singing carols throughout the service and Rev. Green commented prior to his message that we were all Moravians on Christmas Eve. It made us all smile as he called for the different denominations to stand. (We jumped at the chance to go with the Needham's to this special service because we had heard so much about it.) I have to admit that I was curious, after learning about Moravian history in seminary, and that Jan Hus was a predecessor to Martin Luther. Google Jan Hus, or John Huss. He challenged Catholic ecclesiology, the study of theology and the Christian church, and was eventually burned at the stake for his "heretical" views.

This is my best recollection of what took place: The service began with us all singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful," then the Lovefeast was served right after the reading of the Christmas Story in Luke 2. In essence, the lovefeast has been one of their practices since the first century Church and is a symbol of their agape love for one another, just as Holy Communion is to show our love for Christ. Double doors were opened at the front on each side of the podium and ladies dressed in white with small hats atop their heads, came out with long baskets of bread, which were shaped like a doughnut without a hole. They were passed down each pew and all the ladies returned through the double doors together, after serving everyone. More singing, then the doors were opened again and there were the ladies standing, each with a man who held a huge tray of coffee cups, which were handed down the rows one at a time. Inside the cup was the most delicious cup of coffee I have ever had, each having been laced with a little sugar and cream. How they got all those coffee cups prepared and still steaming hot I will never know. We sang prior to the blessing, which was this simple prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus, our Guest to be, and bless these gifts bestowed by thee. Bless thy dear ones everywhere, and keep them in thy loving care. Amen." I personally think this should be every Christian's Christmas prayer, in lieu of preparing for a Santa who will never appear. How novel...honoring Jesus and thanking Him for His gifts: salvation, life everlasting, all we have and are...especially His grace that is sufficient for each new day if we but trust Him. Christmas was never meant to be what it has become. My prayer is that we all take a look within and without ourselves and do our best to our little part to make a big difference in the Name of Jesus.

The service was drawing to a close, when once again, the men and women came through the doors and passed out red beribboned hand-dipped beeswax candles for each of us and we all sang, "Christ the Lord," holding our candles high at the end when we got to the last stanza, which says, "Praise the Lord, God our Salvation, Praise Him Who retrieved our loss; Sing, with awe, and love's sensation, Hallelujah, God with us."

The candles were then extinguished and we all remained standing as the choir sang "The Hallelujah Chorus." We were commissioned to go out and be a Light to the world, and I walked out glowing and ready to go. It was the very best Christmas Eve I have ever had. "The stress of old has passed away, never to return I pray. Likewise that's my prayer for you, to daily reflect on Christ anew."

...And Enjoy Him Forever

The second part of man's chief end, "...and enjoy Him forever," came into play the day after Randy and Matthew arrived home. We rarely get a good snow here, and this one was awesome...around 4 inches or more. It covered everything, and that's a good snow to me. We awoke to a picture perfect, sun shiny, snow covered world. It truly was as though the glory of the Lord was shining all around us. Everywhere you looked was a reminder of God's glory and His creation. It was beautiful. It reminded me of the verse in Romans 1, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

Matthew slept until noon, so we had a late breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and grits. (Only I ate the grits.) As we were eating and enjoying the scenery out the back windows, Randy said, "Hey look! There's somebody sledding down the hill!" He was referring to what I call, 'Cow Hill,' which is a part of the Bowman Gray, Jr. estate. I grabbed the binoculars to make sure it wasn't trespassers and was happy to see Bo 4 and his son and a dog climbing back up the hill after a sled run, with the truck parked at the top of the hill. It was such a picture! He sent us a picture from his viewpoint. It was very comical in some ways. What a wonderful technological world we live in.

After that, I trekked up to the cold attic to find our ski-wear that was packed away. It brought back fond memories of past ski trips as I looked at the small mittens, ski pants and bibs, and I realized how quickly time flies, once again. As I stated earlier...it was a picture perfect day. We didn't need hats, or anything other than gloves, jackets and shoes. Randy and Matthew no longer have snowboots, so that turned out to be the only problem for the day, as the snow found a great place to nestle in the warmth of their shoes.

We have the most wonderful hill that leads down to the pond in our backyard. There are only three situations that make it treacherous...after a torrential rain, acorn season and snow season. We learned the hard way last year about stopping on the sled before getting to the pond and my rose bushes. Our neighbors have a wonderful sled that looks like a Boogie Board with 2 sets of handles in the front and back. They shared with us. We provided the hill; they provided the transportation. We all took turns, and decided it was time to go on to bigger and better after a while of trying to skirt the bushes and pond, so off we went to the hill behind the barn. It was awesome. We flew down right into the street and on across. I was the only one who screamed and squealed. (Sound effects really add to the fun, I have decided.) We spent the good part of the day building a snow girl and sledding. It was so warm that no one wanted hot chocolate like in the old days, and I am certainly not complaining.

Which brings me to the close of enjoying Him forever. I look at this beautiful earth and I see the wonder of God's creation. I see the results of what man's disobedience has wrought and I look forward to spending time with Him forever someday in the true Paradise. I rejoice at the reality that I am a child of God because I accept and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the One prophesied, the One glorified, the One sent to reconcile mankind to God. I look at how the history of one man changed history forever, even to separating the world's history before and after his death with 'BC' (Before the birth of Christ), and 'AD," ('Anno Domini,' or "The Year of Our Lord.) But more importantly, I see a standard carved out in stone, on how to live with God and enjoy Him forever, which carries right over to loving oneself and others, especially the unlovable.

Read the book of Romans and you will see the power of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God; how it transformed one man named Saul from being a persecutor of Jesus, to probably his chief advocate, because he had a very personal encounter with him on the road to Damascus. We all have access to a relationship with the Father, through the Son, with His Spirit residing in us and directing us right into eternity. It's just a matter of accepting the Free Gift of Salvation and trusting that Jesus is who he says he is and that he will do what he says he will do. To Him be the glory! Merry Christmas!

Glorifying God in Unusual Circumstances

It has been a marvelous two days in the McCann household. I have gotten to live out both aspects of Man's Chief End..."to glorify God and enjoy Him (for now and) forever." Today's post is just about one way we can glorify God. Randy flew down to Orlando Thursday afternoon to take Matthew to a football game. (I don't know who played.) They spent the night a little above Jacksonville and started the trek north at 9 AM on Friday, which was about the time our previously forecast winter storm was gearing up to make its appearance. I had an Amos Cottage Christmas party scheduled for around 2, and it looked as though it was going to be delayed until Monday. That was fine with me since I couldn't find a fruit tray anywhere in Winston Salem. I figured the whole thing would be cancelled anyway, as the Cottage runs on the public school schedule. Not so...got an email at 9:30 that the party would be at 10:30, so I got dressed faster than I ever have in my life, bought some red and green fruit, (apples and strawberries) and pulled into the parking lot just in time to see the sleet starting to fall. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there with their bag full of gifts, along with the Guild elves who served food, and the staff. It was a gala affair and the children truly enjoyed their gifts and were so appreciative. One little boy piped up prior to opening his gifts, "I don't care what Santa gives me. I'm going to be happy!" And he was. That child's words glorified God, because he was thankful for others' kindnesses.

The sleet turned to snow right on schedule, around 12:30, and it was time to get inside and hunker down and prepare for the boys' arrival. I got a call around 4:30 that they were 5 minutes away. Twenty minutes later, I got another call, but from a neighbor, asking, "What are Randy and Matthew doing walking up Meadowlark?" (The street right outside our neighborhood.) I told her I didn't know and for her to keep going to the church to get her daughter's car before things got worse. You know what I did next--called Randy and asked about what had happened. He said he was on the road one minute and off the next. They slid into the field and could not get the car back on the road, so we ate dinner, went down to see what we could do, to no avail, then came back and called USAA, and waited for them to call back. (If any of you locals passed us, you saw 3 figures looking like the Beverly Hillbillies carrying luggage and backpacks down the hill to our car parked in the Subway parking lot.) En route home we saw another car do the same thing, but closer to the edge of the field.

USAA called after dinner and the guys slowly made their way back in Randy's car to the site. It was still there and no one had hit it. As they awaited the wrecking company, a "renegade" wrecker pulled over to see if he could help. He tried, but to no avail. Finally, the USSA wrecker showed up and they had sweet success. I got the call they were on their way down the hill in Matthew's wide- tired Florida car, with Randy driving it, and Matthew following slowly behind. (He's never driven in snow mind you.) In the meantime, I couldn't just sit there waiting, so I went downstairs, got the snow shovel, and started shoveling the driveway, which brings to mind, how peaceful the night was, as I shoveled the snow, preparing a place for their tires to keep them from sliding into the garage and our brick wall. It was so beautiful, listening to the crunch of the snow and being amazed at how easy it was to lift and throw, lift and throw. I found myself thanking God that He had gotten them all the way to where they would find neighbors who cared, and so close to home. Once they got home, it was a wonderful thing to shut the doors at 7:30 and say, "Thank You, Father, for getting Randy and Matthew home safely. Thank You that we can trust You for all our needs. To You be the glory for the great things You have done." And that's another way to glorify God...to offer up a continuous flow of thankfulness for all you have and are. I hope, as we near Christmas, that you are making an effort to look past the material/commercialism that bombards us, and purposefully bestow peace and goodwill to all you see...because... that's another way to glorify God.

An Even More In-Depth Look at God's Glory

Q. How shall we know when we aim at God's glory?

A. (1.) When we prefer God's glory above all other things; above credit, estate, relations; when the glory of God coming in competition with them, we prefer his glory before them. If relations lie in our way to heaven, we must either leap over them, or tread upon them. .

(2.) We aim at God's glory, when we are content that God's will should take place, though it may cross ours.

(3.) We aim at God's glory when we are content to be outshined by others in gifts and esteem, so that his glory may be increased. A man that has God in his heart, and God's glory in his eye, desires that God should be exalted.

2. We glorify God by a frank confession of sin.

3. We glorify God by believing. Faith knows there are no impossibilities with God, and will trust him where it cannot see him.

4. We glorify God, by being tender of his glory. God's glory is dear to him as the apple of his eye. .

5. We glorify God by fruitfulness. It is not profession, but fruit that glorifies God.

6. We glorify God by being contented in that state in which Providence has placed us. We give God the glory of his wisdom, when we rest satisfied with what he carves out to us.

7. We glorify God by working out our salvation with Him...trusting that He has provided reconciliation with Him through His Son, Jesus.

8. We glorify God by living to God...laying ourselves out wholly to Him as vessels to help and encourage others.

9. We glorify God by walking cheerfully. It brings glory to God, when the world sees a Christian has that within him that which can make him cheerful in the worst times; that can enable him, with the nightingale, to sing with a thorn at his breast. The people of God have ground for cheerfulness. They are justified and adopted, and this creates inward peace; it makes music within, whatever storms are without, 2 Cor. 1:4. I Thess. 1:6. If we consider what Christ has wrought for us by his blood, and wrought in us by his Spirit, it is a ground of great cheerfulness, and this cheerfulness glorifies God. It reflects upon a master when the servant is always drooping and sad; sure he is kept to hard commons, his master does not give him what is fitting; so, when God's people hang their heads, it looks as if they did not serve a good master, or repented of their choice, which reflects dishonour on God. As the gross sins of the wicked bring a scandal on the gospel, so do the uncheerful lives of the godly. Psalm 100:2, "Serve the Lord with gladness." Your serving him does not glorify him, unless it be with gladness. A Christian's cheerful looks glorify God; religion does not take away our joy, but refines it; it does not break our violin, but tunes it, and makes the music sweeter.

10. We glorify God by standing up for his truths. Much of God's glory lies in his truth. God has entrusted us with his truth, as a master entrusts his servant with his purse to keep. We have not a richer jewel to trust God with than our souls, nor has God a richer jewel to trust us with than his truth. Truth is a beam that shines from God. Much of his glory lies in his truth. When we are advocates for truth we glorify God. Jude 3, "That ye should contend earnestly for the truth."

Thank you, Mr. Watson, for an in depth look at God's glory. May it shine in and through each one of us.

Who Gets the Glory Today?

I have spent a lot of time wondering what to write next, and feel I should just stick with the facts. My kids used to say, "Everything isn't about God, Mom," but in reality...it really is. To have an understanding of Christmas, one has to understand why there ever was a need for Christ's birth, and how God's plan for eternal life for all mankind came into being. I hope this gives you a better understanding of God, the Father of all creation.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, was drawn up by a group of theologians way back in 1646, to provide clarity on issues of doctrine, worship, government and discipline of the Church of England. They state: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." I love how that rolls off the tongue. I would love to take the time and put the support in my own words, but alas, someone has beaten me to it and he has done a great job, I hope you get understanding of why, "It's ALL about God." (This is from a Mr. Watson.) I'm going to give it to you in small amounts because it can be overwhelming if you aren't a seminary student, who craves this history, and I just think it gives you time to digest the importance of each topic. ENJOY!

"Here are two ends of life specified. 1. The glorifying of God. 2. The enjoying of God.

First. The glorifying of God, 1 Pet. 4:11. "That God in all things may be glorified." The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. l Cor. 10:31. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; now, man being a rational creature, must propose some end to himself, and that should be, that he may lift up God in the world. He had better lose his life than the end of his living. The great truth asserted is that the end of every man's living should be to glorify God. Glorifying God has respect to all the persons in the Trinity; it respects God the Father who gave us life; God the Son, who lost his life for us; and God the Holy Ghost, who produces a new life in us; we must bring glory to the whole Trinity.

When we speak of God's glory, the question will be moved, What are to understand by God's glory?

Answer. There is a twofold glory: 1. The glory that God has in himself, his intrinsic glory. Glory is essential to the Godhead, as light is to the sun: he is called the "God of glory." Acts 7:2. Glory is the sparkling of the Deity; it is so co-natural to the Godhead, that God cannot be God without it. The creature's honour is not essential to his being. A king is a man without his regal ornaments, when his crown and royal robes are taken away; but God's glory is such an essential part of his being, that he cannot be God without it. God's very life lies in his glory. This glory can receive no addition, because it is infinite; it is that which God is most tender of, and which he will not part with. Isa. 48:11, "My glory I will not give to another." God will give temporal blessings to his children, such as wisdom, riches, honour; he will give them spiritual blessings, he will give them grace, he will give them his love, he will give them heaven; but his essential glory he will not give to another. King Pharaoh parted with a ring off his finger to Joseph, and a gold chain, but he would not part with his throne. Gen. 41:40. "Only in the throne will I be greater than thou." So God will do much for his people; he will give them the inheritance; he will put some of Christ's glory, as mediator upon them; but his essential glory he will not part with; "in the throne he will be greater."

2. The glory which is ascribed to God, or which his creatures labour to bring to him. 1 Chron. 16:29, "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name." And, 1 Cor. 6:20, "Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit." The glory we give God is nothing else but our lifting up his name in the world, and magnifying him in the eyes of others. Phil. 1:20, "Christ shall be magnified in my body."

Maybe this is where we God-followers* fall short right from the get-go. Who are we magnifying? Ourselves or God? And are we glorifying God in our bodies and spirits?

*I use the word "God-follower," because we have to realize first that there is but one Creator and Lover of our souls. Everything else just falls into place after that.

"Knowing the certainty of things you have been taught."

What I used to stress about more than anything was putting Christ back in Christmas. Oh, don't think that I think he ever left, but do know that I know that we have often turned our backs on him, neglected him, or just put him on hold, and there's no potential to do it more than at Christmas, because that is when we start to think of others and their wants and needs, all in the name of Jesus. I used to pity my mother when she would talk about getting an orange in her stocking (a sock) and if they were really lucky, a peppermint stick and an old handmade rag doll, which she always cherished. They grew up in south Georgia, and life was simple in a complicated way. (Literally, the dolls were made from old rags that had accumulated throughout the years, probably left over from quilting, etc.) The point here is, she and her siblings were always thankful for the little they got. I think that's the way it is supposed to be, and it's not always.

I just looked online at the news and discovered Rachel Duffy's column on "Christians to Blame for a Secular Christmas." Here is a portion of what she had to say: "If Christians truly desire to bring sacredness and religious significance back to Christmas, then it's silly to look to retailers or the First Family. Instead, let it begin, as charity does, at home. Families can start by reintroducing the season of Advent and the spirit of reflection and spiritual preparation that once occupied the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

Instead of allowing ourselves to get swept up in the whirlwind of "holiday" parties, useless gift exchanges and harried shopping, we can use those weeks to prepare our hearts and homes in meaningful ways for the Prince of Peace. Make time for family prayer, singing and the lighting of the Advent wreath. Choose cards and decorations that have religious significance.

How many homes have a prominently displayed nativity scene at Christmas time? My guess is not too many. The same goes for Christmas carols. Does your playlist include more Frosty and Santa Baby than Silent Night and Handel's Messiah? How about keeping those lights on and the tree in the house for the twelve days of Christmas - you know the twelve that follow Christmas day. Or consider caroling or having a Christmas gathering after December 25th? We have only ourselves to blame when we lose these beautiful traditions.

Should Christians be concerned about the secularization of Christmas? Sure they should. I resent school "winter" concerts, "holiday" parades, and the ridiculous fear that prevents people from wishing each other "Merry Christmas!" with total abandon.

But Christmas starts with us. In our hearts. In our homes. And in a very simple decision to reclaim the silence, joy, and quiet simplicity of that first Christmas in Bethlehem when God chose to speak to mankind in the small cry of a newborn baby."

I feel compelled for the next few weeks to give myself and readers a reminder of "the reason for the season." The Christmas Story was prophesied in the Old Testament many times, most notably in the books of Psalms and Isaiah (7:14; 50:6; 53). Most of my New Testament references are from Luke, because I love the way it starts out:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

It just makes sense to "know the certainty of the things you have been taught, " doesn't it?

It really began with God, the creator of heaven, earth, its contents, and all mankind, having a very special plan since before the beginning of time. God knew His image-bearers, MANKIND, would someday grow tired of paradise here on earth, and take their eyes off Him. We all know the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of man. (If not, Google "The Book of Genesis." ) The first and classic case of, "I want to do it MY way." We've paid for that decision that put up a barrier between us and God, (sin, which is turning away from God) ever since.

The GOOD NEWS (Gospel) is that God foresaw it all and knew the very day and hour that He was going to save us from eternal death, because that is the result of sin. He knew that it would require Him making a personal appearance to get our attention, because you see, through the course of time, His children began to create other gods in a desperate attempt to restore their broken relationship with Him. (This helps explain that deep yearning that is never satisfied fully, but can be satiated in ways that benefit us and others when we seek Him, or that drive us further away from Him when our attention is drawn away from Him through other man-made gods...money, addictions/habits, position, power; you get the idea.) His Word tells us that He is a jealous God, protective of His children, as any good parent would be.

There's more. Meditate on this until the next blog: "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar --the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand--I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "

The Wee Hours

Here it is, the wee hours of the night, with no "we," just "me." I've been wondering what has attributed to my lack of sleep, and have determined that the dark chocolate and almond candy Randy received today is the culprit. He's sleeping away so I guess I am the only one affected. The brownies that I took out of the oven probably didn't help. I guess I'm just on chocolate/caffeine overload. I hate it when I do that. (I put a small brownie into my mouth, then quickly took it out and threw it away, thinking this would happen, but hoping it wouldn't.)

It could also be attributed to Leah's trip to Singapore in a few hours, but I really don't think so. We said our good-byes with joy and anticipation for her when we left Orlando Tuesday morning. She reminded us that there have been 4 months in between some of our visits since we moved and we've all been just fine. Many people, all women, have asked if we have cried or are sad. I can honestly answer, "No," up to this point. I was so over-protected as a child that I determined early that if I ever had children I would raise them to be independent, and I think we have for the most part. Doing that involves allowing them to make decisions for themselves which may have negative consequences, but it is worth it to deal with these things while they are still under your roof, rather than have them out in the world defenseless because all their decisions had been previously made for them. I'm wondering if I'm a hard-hearted mother because I am so happy for her.

Friday AM:

And she's OFF! At least as far as we know. We know she made it to LA safely, because we got a picture of the Universal Studio's sign from Hollywood. She's traveling with about 7 males, all of different ages, and they wanted to do something fun with their 9 hour layover, so, since they are all employees, Universal Studios it was. She had a headache all day, which was the only thing that gives me concern about the whole trip. (She inherited terrible migraines from my father's side of the family. They can last for days.) The last call I made was at midnight, and they were trying to find one of the group's ticket on the computer, and it was just not coming up. I am praying she gets a lot of sleep on the plane, so she will be rested...somewhat.

Which brings me to today! Our beautiful old trees are bare for the most part since we arrived back from FL, and that's OK, because the wind has blown most of their clothing away, and Randy has a reprieve from leaf duty until next fall. I love watching him out there, doing everything he can to stay ahead of the next gust of wind. The leaf piles are very tempting to jump into, but I did it our first year here and discovered very hard ground below...enough to jar my teeth! (I still want to do cartwheels that I never could do, but the fear of a cast keeps both feet firmly planted on the ground.)

I think I told you last year that Randy and I are "birders" now. We have bird feeders and houses all over the backyard so we can watch our little furry friends at work and play. The Eastern Bluebird, one of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen in my life, is ubiquitous right now. Randy and I keep a pair of binoculars handy year-round so we can observe the wildlife from above. So help me, I think they are condo shopping already for spring. A male bluebird went into the nicest house, then the female shooed him out, stayed a couple of seconds and flew to the next birdhouse. A red-headed woodpecker then shooed her away. Yesterday, I saw what appeared to be 5 hawks playing with the wind. It looked so relaxing, just catching a little gust here and there and just coasting. I love it when I can do that.

I also saw our 4 resident wild turkeys before Thanksgiving. I hope they are still there; and I'm sad to say, there is another lone goose in our yard on the shoreline. (Don't get teary-eyed yet, Latcia. I just looked out again, and it has been joined by 12 of its friends.) It's been there for at least 2 days, so maybe it's coming out of its funk if it lets others into its respite territory, which is what our house is...a respite, but only for the single or hurting geese. I've also seen 2 deer across the pond already and we have the most beautiful Great Egret (so help me, I thought they only lived in Florida) and Blue Herons living just at the end of our pond in what appears to have become a wildlife sanctuary. The only thing that mars my view is an empty white plastic bottle on the opposite shoreline. I am going to wait until a very COLD day, when I am positive the snakes are tucked away for the winter, before I put on my bright yellow, knee high snake/goose boots, and make the trek to the other side. I'm sure that will be a story all its own. In the meantime, I hope you have no "wee hours" you can talk about, but only sweet dreams the next morning.

Lest I forget, WELCOME MATTHEW, my newest follower. (Don't forget to put up a picture!)AND...if you'd like to follow Leah's adventures, let me know, and I will send you the link.