Winter Wonderland and New York At Christmas

With the blizzard we just experienced here on Long Island came the return of the Juncos. They manage to make it by our first snow. These beautiful birds from up north winter here in the warmer climate along with several other migratory birds. Along with these snowbirds came a beautiful Flicker to our suet feeder yesterday. What a gorgeous bird! The backyard brings in the birds because of our fish pond as well which because of the waterfalls never full freezes, This is for the survival of the fish through these months of cold and as an added benefit our feathery friends have water all the time to drink from.

With family and friends (who no doubt read this) in warmer climates out west and down south (and who think I am a few bricks shy of a full load) Let me say it the best way I can: I love New York and I love it even more during the winter! It is grand here! Playing in the snow with my grandkids is delightful. Being inside or outside I am happy. Lucy and I are planning a trek into the city before New Year's Day. It is an adventure. We take the Long Island Railroad in and we are like two kids. We'll see the tree, visit a museum and have a meal somewhere we have or have not eaten at before. We will bundle up like Eskimos and experience the words of this song:

Church bells are ringing,

Choirs are singing,

Joy they are bringing,

Its Christmas in New York

Snowflakes are teasing,

Central Park''s freezing,

All this is pleasing,

Its Christmas in New York

Skyscrapers gleaming,

Broadway lights beaming,

Children are dreaming,

Its Christmas in New York

Its Christmas in New York!

If you want more go to You Tube and search "Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show". That is where that song came from and where we might just end up when we go this week! You never know- because anything can happen in New York!

Happy New Year Everyone!

On Frozen Pond

My 2 1/2 old grandson, Tristan Mark, was over yesterday. Actually I took him along to run errands and he wanted to stop at Poppa's house to see Moe (our dog). He asked to go see the fish in our backyard pond. They have gone to the bottom and are hiding among the plants. I told him we may not see any. We didn't. We stood at the pond and he listened to me explain how the fish go down for the winter but that they will be back up in a few months all set to eat again.

We then came into the house. We found our way over to the Olive Wood Nativity Set I brought back from Bethlehem, Israel, a few years ago. We looked at it. Since his baby sister is just 3 weeks old I asked him if he remembered how we had to be real careful in the hospital by washing our hands and putting the lotion on. He remembered. I told Tristan how Jesus was born outside and in a place where the ox and lambs were kept. He listened carefully to each word. He didn't talk. He just looked and listened. How we need to become like little children who do not have the ability to read. They learn by looking and listening and pondering the words they hear in their hearts. Come to the manger again and listen to the story of Jesus' Birth.

Winter Weather

I have said it before, "I'm still a kid at heart." I love winter. I love snow. I enjoy the cold. I love getting out the scarfs and gloves and heavy coats. I love the line to that Christmas Song: "And folks dressed up like Eskimos."

To me snow is beautiful. It makes the outside look beautiful. Rosy cheeks on grandkids are a sight. Sledding and building snowmen and snow forts are just plain fun.

I am very thankful to live in place where there are 4 distinct seasons. I love each one of them!

December First

While it is not officially winter yet there is something about the calendar reading December 1st that bring thoughts of snow and Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year!

Outback there is activity. The birds are at the feeders. Soon the suet cakes will be hung and the woodpeckers and nuthatches will come more frequently. The fish have stopped eating. They are on a fast from now until March. The frogs are down buried in the bottom for the winter. Soon white blankets will cover the earth in the backyard and it will be a winter wonderland. I enjoy this break from the garden. It give me time to focus on indoor activities. In six weeks the Daylily seeds will be planted inside. But for now I am enjoying the beauty of this most wonderful time of the year. I love winter!