Then and Now

Back in June I posted pictures from a walk I took through the park.

A few hours ago I went on that same walk.
I thought it might be fun to compare
how things looked then to how they look now.
(Remember, you can click on a picture to see it close up.)

As I was heading home, it began to snow.

Here's how our deck looks now...two hours later.

Maybe I need to go out again in a couple of hours?

Nah.

I'll stay in here where it's nice and warm.

December

Scroll down for Lyrics

December

I walked down to the frozen river.

I knew what I was gonna see.

In this deep dark cold December

There’s a gray cloud hanging over me.

There were no birds singing in the branches

of the old weepin’ willow tree.

No fish were jumping in the water.

Only ice as far as I could see.

As I walked along this frozen river,

my heart so tempted to despair,

I heard a far off church bell chiming

and took it to the Lord in prayer.

Let it snow, let it snow, December,

aint gonna let it bother me,

cuz winter doesn’t last forever.

Spring comes around eventually.

Yeah, I know that winter doesn’t last forever.

Spring comes around eventually.

In The Bleak Midwinter

The other day at the dinner table Danica was telling us about her religion assignment. They were to take a secular song, and change the lyrics to make it religious. I immediately suggested she do a song by her favorite artist, Michael Jackson; perhaps rewriting “Cause this is Thriller…” to “Cause He’s my Savior…” Jeff suggested a Kansas tune, “Carry on my perfect Son…”

In the end, she went with my suggestion, sort of. She picked a Michael Jackson song, but not Thriller. She decided to rewrite the lyrics to “You Are Not Alone.” When I asked her if she’d let me post it here, she refused saying, “It’s not that good.”

I don’t think she really enjoyed the assignment. But it gave me an idea.

I thought it might be fun to rewrite a song that’s been playing in my head quite a bit lately. The first verse is quite good as is, so I left it unchanged except for adding the words “not so” to the last line. Verses 2 – 4 are new. Here it is. Perhaps you can relate.

In the Bleak Midwinter

1. In the bleak midwinter,

frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow

snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter, not so long ago.

2. Here in Minnesota

people love the snow.

For Christmas and for New Year’s

it's lovely, don’t ya know.

But when the yuletide passes,

waiting for the thaw

brings seasonal depression

and feeling rather “blah.”

3. Why then do I live here?

Yes, I wonder too.

Couldn’t we relocate,

As snowbirds often do?

But when you’re born and raised here

it's hard to move away,

and so we spend our winters

holding out till May.

4. After May comes summer;

what a glorious time,

filled with blooming color

and lots of warm sunshine!

And so, I’ll dream of springtime.

I’ll dream of summer too,

for in the bleak midwinter

there’s not much else to do.

The First Snow

It snowed last night.

I woke up this morning, pulled open the curtain, and this is what I saw. Yesterday it was brown and drab. Today it looks like winter.

The first snowfall always reminds me of that scene in Bambi, when Bambi asks his mom, “What’s all that white stuff?” And she replies, “Why, it’s snow. Winter has come.”

And I can’t help but be pleased. Sure, snow is a drag. It’s cold, and messy, heavy to shovel, and slippery to drive on. But it’s awful pretty too. And nothing puts me into the Holiday Spirit more than a fresh snowfall.

Since I was feeling all Christmassy and bright, I decided today would be a good day to put up my Village.

Here's how I did it.

I got out some large tubs, and put shelving on them to make a good flat foundation.

Then I covered them with white towels, and laid the "snow" over the whole thing.

Next, I took my houses out, and plugged them all in to be sure they all worked.

Then I arranged them how I wanted them...



...and started adding the trees and stuff. (That's the funnest past.)


And... Waa Laa...it's all done.

Would you like a tour of my Village? Okay.

First stop is the church. I got this piece from my mother-in-law many years ago. I had told her while we were shopping one time how much I liked the little villages that were just gaining popularity at that time, and so she gave me this one as a Christmas present. I loved it! It's still one of my favorites. You can almost hear the choir singing.

Next, we come to the humble home of Bob Cratchit.

Yes, this is a Dicken's Village, so all my pieces comprise the setting for the story, "A Christmas Carol," a family favorite.

Our next stop is the toy store. Jeff got this house for me one Christmas, and I like it, because I like toys.

Now we come to another favorite, The Old Curiosity Shop. This building actually exists in London. Jeff and I hope to go visit it one day.

Here's Nephew Fred's flat. Can you hear laughter? I think Fred is having a party.

And here is the office of Scrooge and Marley. Of course, Marley is no longer with us, but Scrooge is too tight with his money to have the sign changed. Poor old miserable Scrooge.

Our next stop is Fezziwig's Warehouse. Ebenezar Scrooge was once an apprentice to Mr. Fezziwig. He was a jolly man, and also gave great parties.

And finally we come to the home of Scrooge himself. You may notice the home is rather dark. I have a blue light bulb in this house to give it that eerie feeling. I believe the place may be haunted!

So, that's my Village. It makes me happy. And now, as my gift to you, I invite you to watch The First Snow scene from Bambi. I hope it will make you happy too.