"I don't think anyone should write their autobiography until after they're dead.” Sam Goldwyn

did you have to sing christmas carols in elementary school at holiday pagents? I did and while I never minded the holiday winter songs I was often offended by the christian content of the hard core carols.

 

 

so I would sing the songs- many are beautiful: Like Hark the Herald Angels sing... and when the word christ appeared I didn't sing that word because I have always been careful to say Jesus. I think it diminishes the theological elements of a holiday or observance when non believers participate fully. like I wouldn't take communion or make the sign of a cross in a catholic church but I would behave respectfully and even light a candle. would and have.

 

and when visiters to my temple come I would expect them to stand in respect for the torah when it is removed from the ark but I wouldn't want them kissing it, wearing tefillin or  a tallit- a  head covering is ok because that's custom not halachah.

 

anyway this all came to mind when i pulled up in front  of the post office to mail a netflix film and I saw two rose bushes still in bloom. one yellow and one red. set in very sunny surroundings with asphalt heating them up..

My two hedges of camellia sasanquas are blooming and the hummming birds are having a great time visiting their yellow and red blooms. and berries on the salal and kinnikinnik are attractive to the birds too.  and of course the juncos and chickadees are having a ball in the thickets that are the piles of wood and kindling being cured for next winter.

 

Jim is doing better. snot is more a problem than blood now and he is getting about and making snacks. for dinner I gave him over cooked ravioli in a black olive pesto and very overcooked carrots and prunes- sorta like a tsimmes. tomorrow I may cook some stollen and some cookies for my brother near DC as he doesn't have Margit this winter to help him stay fat.

 

Now I am closing down the fireplace , turning off the lights on the tree ( we have one t of those nifty foot switches-  and abi and I will race upstairs so I can hide her treats. What a difference this week from last. phew !!