Well did Mother Nature put on a show this week end!  Rain in buckets, lightning, thunder and wind all in one.  Upshot of this is that now I’ve a creek running thru the back end of the property – right thru the last flowerbed and pathway installed.  Went out and checked on Sunday and thot ‘ok, things are just under water’ but then I notice that the water is moving – like a current – from my neighbors thru mine and onto my neighbors.  I follow it to where I can see it heading down the hill towards the creek – just great. Maybe soon I can go out there and catch dinner – tho I doubt I would want to eat anything out of that creek.  Somewhere down there lies part of my plantings – the bulbs I put in….*sigh.  I comfort myself with the thot of all of those daffodils and hyacinths, squill and snowdrops coming up on banks of the creek – maybe its the Goddess’ way of moving them to where She needs them most.   Upside of all this is, I know the mini-river will go away when the rains cease (more is predicted Tuesday/Wednesday and again Yule weekend).  Upside of all of this wonderful display of Ma Nature is that the last of the leaves are now off ALL the trees.  Yes they are all on my lawn but at least the next raking will be the last one.   Got to look on the bright side and I was treated to some awesome displays of clouds as the storms came and went.    

And the timing was great!  Gave me lots of incentive to spend the time constructively – made a vat of lima bean and ham hock soup with collard greens (Nana’s recipie) which to me equals some of the best of winter comfort food.  I serve homemade cornbread with it and it’s the kind of thing that spreads warmth inside and out.  My kitchen is full of warmth and fragrance – a welcoming spot in the darkness of the day – a haven from the storms which seem  intent on prying the boards off the house.  I can hear it moaning around the corners, lashing the windows with sheets of rain – and I thank the gods for washing the truck and the windows for me – LOL.  While the soup is simmering I write out the cards and am now halfway thru the wrapping of the gifts – in the next few days the mailman is going to learn to wince at the sight of me.  So many things to get sent their separate ways that in no way capture the feelings I have for those to whom they are destined.  I love you all so much and wish I could be in 4 different places at once and with you all this Yule.  I tell myself that this is the last one in California – that I need to focus on the NOW and enjoy this time without wishing myself elsewhere which will become fact soon enough.    

One of the best gifts I received was knowing that Littlehawk will be spending Yule with my sister – particularly since her husband Steve cannot.  Steve dear brother – may the gods send you their protection during this time and thru out the coming year.  I’ve something for you as well but am sending it to Stacy to keep for you.  *Innocent flutter of eyelashes. 

Here is your horoscope for Monday, December 19:

There's a feeling you get when what you're getting out of life isn't quite up to your dreams. If you have it now, either change your dreams or find someone who's up to the challenge of helping you realize them.

Right on the money.