Christmas Clutter

Christmas comes but once a year, 

and so does Christmas clutter! 

Boxes and bags evicted from 

basements, attics or closets 

disrupt the flow of ordinary. 

With them may come a tag-a-long 

musty dust from that year alone 

in the dark. Taking up space on 

floor, tables and counters until 

cherished decorations are all in 

place, any attempt at organization 

seems hidden in the chaos of tissue, 

ornaments of many colours, sizes and 

shapes, tree lights filling corners and 

spare rooms until Christmas clutter is

repacked and stored til next year. 

What I know for sure is that result of 

all the glitter and shine is joyous. It sparkles the 

ordinary. For that short time, I wouldn’t trade it 

~ just have to work on my clutter anxiety.

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic 

ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”

~ Peg Bracken

Re-post: Snow and Silence

Wascana Lake, Regina, Sask November 2020

I walked last night with two friends. Lake Okanagan was still. It was -7C.

Lights lined the waterfront 

and climbed through the city 

spread into the hills.

Snow fell delicately 

crystalled white flakes 

against a darkened sky. 

A light breeze persuaded 

these sparklets of ice to 

slip sideways through 

dried leaves and drifting

golden willow branches.

Veils of steam rose in

fine clouds that hovered

inches from the lake’s

glassy black surface.

Crunching, matched footsteps of 

three bundled up women

broke through snow and silence,

covered ears and crisp footsteps 

quieted any words wandering away

on puffs of breath into the snow drift.

An ever faithful flock of ducks huddled

 ~ warm to warm ~ green and brown heads 

tucked under shining wings out of the cold.

Water blocks stared at the marina ~ 

glossy, black and empty ~ 

spaces beside the dock

where few boats wintered,

blanketed with snow and

resting in the stillness.

I walked last night with two friends. 

Lake Okanagan was still.

It was -7C.

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

~ Lao Tzu

Author’s note:  Snow fell as silently today in Regina, but evoked the same emotions as this poem from Kelowna, Dec. 13, 2000. Such a silent snow fall is gentle and kind.

Winter Spirit

Walkers, canes, feet, and cars

Steady on ~ Carve ruts 

and icy runnels of snow 

“….winter forms our character and brings out our best.”

~ Tom Allen

Author's note: inspired by the numbers of people heading to malls and restaurant whether on foot or in vehicles despite the ice and snow.

Christmas Work in Progress

Kind of like life ~

from a plain tree 

to joy of life in 

glitter and shine,

dark places gilded 

with brightness.

Never quite finished……..

“Don’t settle for what life gives you, 

make life better and build something,”

~ Ashton Kutcher

Swipe Left

There are many things I love about the Christmas season. The music, the bright lights. The charming Christmas story. 

It’s the malls and the technology that seem out of place. Necessary, I suppose, but our kids and grandkids are 

missing a real treat ~ shoving me into the generationally challenged category ~ but that’s all right. I earned 

every second of these decades. If I hadn’t been from 

this technology barren time, 

I would have missed out on 

the Christmas catalogue. Do you remember 

Simpson Sears and Eaton’s catalogues? 

Eatons was “Canada’s Christmas Store”. 

Shiny colourful pages with beautiful models, 

airbrushed too perfectly at a time when that 

was okay. Full of everything a kid could 

want and more. Sleds, dolls, and toys some 

no longer on the market because of perceived 

or real danger. But for me I wanted to see 

the latest fashions, especially the New Year's 

gowns. Getting ideas for the next gowns

I would sketch and colour. I never could get 

past the same full skirt and strapless bodice. 

Paging through a cold screen with a swipe left, 

can't have the same thrill with childhood dreams 

and hopes. I do hope that when a child swipes 

left, they file in their memory the dream that 

wafted from the screen, making their generation 

one of wonder when swiping left 

has become a memory.

“Whether you shop in person or by ‘phone, you’ll find the people 

at Eaton’s friendly and helpful…in the true spirit of Christmas.”

From an Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue, 1960

<cuttersguide.com>

When You Can

It was never about making the right choices. How ever could I know the truth of each hour, 

of each day, and the years that would pass. It was, and is always, about honouring my 

mother who left us on this day in 1971. Seems such a long time but only a few hours 

ago. When I feel sadness, I know that hers was deeper; 

when I am tired, I know she 

was exhausted, and when I am despairing in my life, 

I know that her despair was chained to her. It was, 

and is always, about honouring my mother.

”I will love you even when I am dust on the wind.”

~Nalini Singh,  Archangel’s Blade

988: Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7 anywhere in Canada

Time for Sleep

Few words have I

to tell you on this eve 

only words that say 

it’s time for sleep.

“Sleep is the best meditation.”

~ Dalai Lama