Retraction

A few days ago I posted a list of 10 simple pleasures. I would like to amend item #10: the first snowfall.

The first snowfall this year did not come softly and gently. It was not magical. Well, not unless it was sent by some Harry Potter-type villian. It was extreme, agressive, nearly violent. I did not like it Sam-I-Am. I did not like the first snowfall. I did not like it, not at all!!

The wind was fierce, first assaulting last-minute shoppers with cold, biting rain, then stabbing ice pellets, then blizzardy-snow. Brrrrr! It created 2-3' drifts in front of our garage. We had to shovel snow just to get the car out. Christmas Eve services were canceled all over the state and travelers stranded. Many a Christmas tradition was broken this year.
  So, simple pleasure #10 (first snowfall) will be replaced with:

the warmth of a wooden deck under my feet in early summer.

missouri vacation hotel

Christmas Eve

Time for a List

10 simple pleasures in no particular order.

A new, big novel to read.
Pull-through parking spaces. (bonus: close to the door.
Tuesday evening coffee, talking, & book browsing at Barnes.
Dinner with good friends.
Thursday nights: carry-in supper & watching trashy tv together.
Gazing at the Christmas tree when the house is all quiet.
Photography outings.
Convertible rides.
When all is well with loved ones.
The first snow of the season - magical. (bonus: when they close the office because of it!)

Tiny Pieces of Broken Glass

"...when it's all said & done, we're all just tiny pieces of broken glass reflecting as best we can the majesty and power of God." ~The Christmas Prodigal, by Bert Williams

This is a powerfully understated line from a play written by a friend that was presented at church this weekend. The story is about a woman who has experienced the most intense crisis of faith there is: disappointment & disillusionment in her father - her heavenly Father.

She has a sort of "Christmas Carol" visitation. In this scene, the homeless man she snubbed earlier tells her to look up. The heavens don't open with glorious light & choirs of angels. What she sees is a disco ball. I loved that the author stated the obvious rather than try to pass off disco ball effects as something more cosmic :)
 

The homeless man uses it as an object lesson to explain how Christians - imperfect, flawed, mortal - are a reflection of God in this world. As a single bright light shines on the ball, each little mirror reflects it outward in countless directions. The synergetic effect is dazzling. Each reflection is different because each piece of glass is different and imperfect, even though they're reflecting the same light.

The homeless man tells her that no one is perfect and no one gets the reflection exactly right. The woman's anger at God was caused by her father's death. She believed he would be healed and live because he had been a good Christian all his life and she was praying for him, too. But it didn't happen and she is shattered. The homeless man tells her she has a choice: was she going to "look at his life as an example to follow or look at his death as a failure of faith." Choose, he says. Life or death?

Why would he ask her that? Obviously, she was already a Christian, even though she was angry with God. We all get angry with God. Even David vented a few times in the Psalms. But to stay angry, bitter, disappointed, disillusioned, is to choose a living death instead of the joyful, contented life God wants you to have.

What do you choose? The light is shining on you anyway, my fellow piece of broken glass. You might as well choose life and reflect joy. It's so much more fun that way!

The Ice Empress

I just finished my 4th doll - but my first all on my own. I bought a Patti Culea pattern & modified it a little. The costume just evolved as I went along. I had something in mind; in fact, I bought a certain fabric but ended up not using it. That's how the creative process works sometimes!When I saw the snowflake ornament for a miniature Christmas tree, I thought "winter fairy crown", then spied the feathery 'hair' and off we went!

All the fabric is from my stash. Which is one of the reasons I got interested in art dolls - I already have so much fabric & trims and thought this would be a great way to use them. I probably only have about $7 in this doll. Her 'skin' is a silvery-frosted white cotton. The bodice is a beautiful pearlescent sequined fabric. The skirt is torn organza covered in silver stars; the train is lame'. Trims are pieces of Christmas flower picks, as is her scepter.

I love Patti Culea designs. Her dolls are so whimsical; all arms & legs. I didn't achieve the big rounded eyes, but her signature Angelina Jolie mouth is there.

This was such an enjoyable project and completely relaxing as I sank into my colorful fantasy world of shiny, sparkly, funky little creatures!