The Madonnas of Italy

   Today is Mary's feast day.  Catholics believe that Mary is the only person (other than her Son) to be  born without 'original sin' and the feast of the Immaculate Conception honors that.

 During a trip to Italy  years ago I took many  photos of  the beautiful Madonnas that adorn churches everywhere.  Mary is a favorite and revered subject for art work in many countries, Italy is no exception, of course.      

  Mary is everywhere in Italy and artists over the centuries have depicted her in all media.  Here are some of my favorite Madonnas.

        I have been enjoying a lovely blog called Recuerda Mi Corazon where artists and poets are sharing their Virgins during the first 12 days of December (until the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

   I am sharing my photo collection of Italian Madonnas with Rebecca today.

Waiting

  we wait

with silent winter stars

come, Lord

December is, above all, a time of waiting.
We wait for Christmas to arrive,  for the silent darkness of the solstice, for the  sun to begin it's slow return, for our hearts to change.
Too often,  December becomes a frantic time of stress with too much to do and not enough time to do it.  There is little time for reflection and self-care.  We can arrive at December 25 exhausted and vaguely unhappy.
Taking time to ponder,  to enjoy the wait, to step back from the frenzy of consumerism can be nourishing.
Although I am not a fan of what plays on most radio stations during the month of December,  called 'holiday music,' I do look forward to hearing certain pieces of music which seem to replenish the spirit and add quiet joy to the season.
Here is a bit of Advent music guaranteed to calm and bring a sense of that peacefulness,  which seems, so often, just out of our reach. Click through to You-tube, close your eyes and enjoy.





Shared with Recuerda Mi Corazon Haiku My Heart

Healthy Checklist for Winter

A sunny corner of the porch 

    In my part of the world, winter means the days are cold, the sun is aloof and stingy with warmth and it is often too damp (outdoors) or too dry(indoors.) And it always means more germs are floating around!
    Staying healthy from the  December solstice until the red-winged blackbirds arrive, is a challenge and it becomes more so with every passing year.  
    This is the perfect time to do a bit of self care.  It doesn't make sense to arrive  to the biggest and best holiday week of the year, and be too exhausted to pretend you are a child again! 
   So as the days grow shorter and my holiday to-do list grows longer, I try to remember to take care of myself.  It really is a gift to everyone I love, if I stay healthy!!
  
   ***  Wash  hands  often
   ***  Cultivate an indoor garden 
   ***  Add a humidifier (especially helpful to prevent sinus infections)
   ***  Lower the heat at night, use bedwarmers to warm the cold sheets
   *** Wash hands often  
   *** Drink more liquids especially hot tea- herbal or black.
   *** Walk outdoors whenever the weather allows
   *** Try a taste of all the goodies that come my way, but only a taste(trying to cultivate my inner Frenchwoman) 
   *** Wash hands often 
   *** Go to bed early one night a week
   ***  Make a pot of soup every week and freeze the leftovers for easy meals
   *** Dress in layers, wear a hat and gloves 
   *** Make a list of all the things I am too busy to do in December, (books to read, neglected indoor projects, garden planning for next season etc) put the list away until January.  Then, get going!
 *** Did I mention that I wash my hands often?

Cuttings from these tender herbs winter over on the porch

   

  My strategy is to keep my spirits up, keep the germs away, continue exercising outdoors  and then burrow  deep into my nest until I'm cozy and warm and enjoy this time when the earth is quiet.  Winter (once the calendar changes and the Christmas season is past)  is a good time to contemplate the stillness, the dormant trees, the ever-changing sky. A good time  to pray. 

VIEW FROM UNDER THE SLIDE Or Further Adventures with Orange Sneakers

  ^^^^

a young prince

builds a magical palace

in her heart

^^^^

   The long shadows of late autumn followed us to the playground this week.  Orange Sneakers was intrigued with his shadow and asked "Why is my shadow  so much bigger than I am?"  A discussion about the sun's position in the sky at this time of the year ensued. 

    Once his curiosity about shadows is sated, the conversation turns to fossils.  His friend at school showed him a fossil and now he is intent upon digging up the playground in search of his own specimen.

  He finds a sturdy stick and begins his quest through soil packed tighter than cement.  

  

A patient boy, he continues digging until he unearths what, to him, looks like a fossil.  We pack it up in a tissue to bring home.  He wants to show his mom and dad.

When he tires of fossil hunting, he  decides it is time to run around and his next adventure begins.  "I'm looking for sculptures," he exclaims as he runs off to play on the jungle gym.  

Within minutes, I am unable to capture him on my camera, as he darts around looking for new heights to scale, babbling all the while about his intention to build a sculpture garden.(Precipitated by a recent visit to Storm King, no doubt.)

I linger  a moment on a seat under the slide, where I can see him and notice the play of the long shadows and the playground sculptures all around me.

Would I have noticed these lovely angles, these potent views if Orange Sneakers had not heightened my senses?

Finally, he returned to the 'digging place' where fossils and sculptures and shadows live in his glorious four year old imagination.

As I stood there I noticed that my shadow encircled my precious boy and I whispered a silent prayer that he always be surrounded by love, as he is today.

Here's a link to more "Adventures with Orange Sneakers" :What Fun!

Shared with Recuerda Mi Corazon where love and joy is shared every Friday in Haiku My Heart.

I Thank My God For You

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL !

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candlelight

soft glow at the table

family

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