That time of year when I go searching for the ghosts of Christmas past, the good ghosts.
Finished reading: Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter. A quirky and resonant meditation on grief. 📚
As I get ready for bed, I remember as a kid going to bed on Christmas night. Once the lights were out and I’d said “good night” to everyone, I would sit and stare out of the window, imagining Santa being somewhere out there, traveling over this sleeping city. And I would hope to catch a glimpse of his sleigh and reindeers, before sleep would get the better of me.
As Christmas night falls here in Hawaii, I wish all those who celebrate, in whatever shape or form, blessings, peace and all good wishes.
Joining in the current online fun. I experimented with a few descriptions and think that this one resulted in the best likeness.
Finished reading: A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.
I read this each year. My father’s side of the family is from Wales and I lived there for almost 20 years. This year I read it while rain fell outside, the Christmas tree lit up and carols played. I was transported back to Christmas’ of my youth. 📚
I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas last night, something I started doing each year, a few years ago. I think that I enjoy the animation because it shows Christmas through children’s eyes, while at the same time speaking to what is truly important about Christmas, away from the commercialization. That can be the Christmas story or the appreciation of simple things and family and friends.
Well that is not very welcome. Our Wedding Anniversary today, Christmas just round the corner, and I test positive for COVID this morning. My wife tested positive a couple of days ago. For me, I just have aches and pains for now. Hopefully it won’t get any worse.
Happy Holidays 🎄
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 →
🌧️ Well it is wet out there.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 →
🌧️ Well it is wet out there.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 →
These are not the best photographs of Wailuku, but I feel as though it is an overlooked gem here in Maui. Wailuku is the administrative home on the island, with the County and Court buildings based there. As such it is away from the tourist routes. At the same time, I wish a little more love was shown to it with some new restaurants, coffee shops, shops, theatre, etc. They are there, just a few more. A new Civic Center is planned. Let’s see what that does to the town.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 →
I lay in the darkness this morning listening to the rain lash against the windows. My wife has tested positive for COVID and I am sleeping in a barn on our property - and no, I was not sleeping on hay with hens as bed fellows. Gratefully, I was comfortable.
As dawn slowly emerged, hampered by the dark storm clouds, I could see trees, blurred by the rain covered windows, bending under the strong winds. The hilltop across the valley was shrouded in a light mist. I was lying there alone, and in that aloneness and with the weather howling outside, I could feel the cabin, the remoteness that I had called for a couple of weeks ago.
I felt comfortable and with a wish for this day and the next few days, just to be like this.
My favourite coffee shop, and my local one when we lived in Portland was Sterling Coffee Roasters. I still order from them - only three days from Portland, and free postage. A great service. These arrived yesterday, including their Holiday Blend for the Christmas/New Year period.
I’m trying to switch off today. The last few days have been busy, on top of a bad headache, and next week we’ll be hitting the ground running. So after completing a couple of tasks this morning, I’m dialing it back now. In fact I just woke up from a late morning nap.
🤦🏼♂️ Waiting for some toast to pop up, and then realized that I had not put it in the toaster!
🤦🏼♂️ Waiting for some toast to pop up, and then realized that I had not put it in the toaster!
Two sides of this evening.
Home alone reading, and doing a bit of writing as well, while listening to Christmas Carols.
I love listening to Carols, and singing them. In hearing them I find the spirit of Christmas for me…and maybe memories of Happy Christmases with family, warmth and familiarity (and I sense somewhere in there, safety).
From a walk at Ho’okipa cliffs just over a week ago.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 →
I’ve spent the last couple of days playing around with Tot and Siri Shortcuts (or is it Apple Shortcuts, or maybe just Shortcuts…I really am unsure), just seeing what I can do. Trying to create a Drafts lite (very), if you like.
Drafts is not going to disappear from arsenal of text editors, but I have enjoyed the challenge of just seeing what I can achieve. For now I am giving that exercise a rest.