...12.29.13.

morning sun on the icicles...

I believe in a new days discovery.

I believe, in the beauty of nature.

I believe, in the kiss of the rain.

I believe that true friends are rare.

I believe in charity, without recognition.

I believe, in extending a helping hand,

to those in need.

I believe, in preserving the dignity of humanity.

I believe in the innocence of children.

I believe that one, should never let their heart,

do their thinking.

I believe, in the goodness of humanity.

I believe, that true trust, is like interest earned, on money in a bank...

it comes with the passing of time.

I believe in wisdom.

I believe in the beauty of a starlit sky.

I believe in promises kept.

I believe that America, truly is the land of opportunity.

I do not believe, that most dreams come true.

I do believe, that dreams can lead one to the path,

of ones inner desires.

I believe, that many listen, but do not hear.

I believe in honesty and integrity.

I believe, in a mothers love.

I believe in a fathers pain.

I believe, in placing ones family first.

I believe that many successful people,

leave in their path,

countless orphans of success.

I believe, when the sickness is sadness,

laughter is the cure.

I believe, that a good work ethic, can serve all of us well.

I believe in good wine and good friends.

I believe, in a time each day, to give thanks.

I believe in forgiveness.

I believe, if one can forgive a friend,

then surely, one can forgive family.

I believe in the power of the written word.

I still believe in hand written letters.

I believe the first cup of coffee in the morning,

is the best.

I believe...it's important to believe in something you care about.

I believe, in sanctity of life.

I believe that each day of life,

is precious

and a treasure of limitless value.

~ Joe Fazio

i posted this a while back.

i rather like it.

i am posting it again.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...surrender to your radiance...

"You surrender to a lot of things which are not worthy of you, 

I wish you would surrender to your radiance...

your integrity, your beautiful human grace." 

~ Yogi Bhajan

light + objects=shadows

it is beautiful.

when the sun shines.

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...the bell still rings for me...

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

The Polar Express (2004)

 At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.

The Polar Express (2004)

week thirty-six

52 Photos Project

{Your Choice} Merry Christmas!!

the bell will.

always ring for me.

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...12.22.13...

let there be peace on earth.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...purple seemed like a good color...

She asked me when the season of joy was supposed to end & I said I didn't really think there was an exact date, so we left the tree up till June that year.

~storypeople

One time on Hollywood Boulevard I saw a young girl with a baby. It was a crisp winter morning & her hair shone dark purple in the sun. She was panhandling outside the Holiday Inn & the door clerk came out & told her to be on her way & I wondered if anyone would recognize the Christ child if they happened to meet. I remember thinking it's not like there are any published pictures & purple seemed like a good color for a Madonna so I gave her a dollar just in case.

~storypeople

i found two storypeople stories.

that i liked today.

you never know who you may encounter.

this Christmas season.

seems like a good time to be extra kind.

we have been a land.

of much snow.

and little sun.

so i took advantage of this shot.

this week.

as always.

please take the time.

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

light + objects=shadows

...week thirty-five of 52 photos project...

Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sintaklaas. Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.
In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.
Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.

In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.

Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.

In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star. Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.

In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree with Christmas ornaments is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.

In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.
In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.
American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.
In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.
In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.

There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.

In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.       



 week thirty-five
52 photos project
{Holiday Traditions}
those ornaments.
were from my grandma byers.
they hang on my tree every year.
they symbolize to me.
my grandpa herman and grandma byers.
they are with us every year.
i love them.
enjoy your moments.
just BE.
robin.

...12.15.13...

bestill.

when you become quiet,

it just dawns on you.

~thomas edison

from the book be.

when the only sounds.

are the whir of the wood stove.

and of the old wind up clock.

it is easy to be still.

as the snow blows and swirls.

outside the window.

it is still.

inside.

find time to be still.

quiet your thoughts.

slow your breathing.

be still.

enjoy the moment.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...the season of light...

Christmas is the season of light.

light + objects=shadows

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...week thirty-four of 52 photos project...

from simple abundance:

the daybook of comfort and joy

by sarah ban breathnach

It's difficulty to think anything but pleasant thoughts while 

eating a home-grown tomato.

~lewis gizzard

this photo was from 6.22.12

and this is the day i looked up in simple abundance.

my garden.

my deck.

my rocker.

my cup of coffee.

give me comfort and joy.

beyond description sometimes.

no matter what the day's stress.

no matter what the crazy world is up to.

i can go out and sit.

and everything melts away.

therefore.

this is my submission to.

52 photos project

{Comfort & Joy}

week thirty-four.

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...12.8.13...

the

best of

all gifts around

any Christmas tree,

the presence of a happy

family all wrapped up in each

other. 

~Burton Hillis

i was just reading.

december eighth.

from simple abundance-a daybook of comfort and joy

by sarah ban breathnach.

in a nutshell.

it says that we, women, make ourselves.

crazy.

trying to make Christmas perfect.

from presents to parties.

and traditions.

when what it really comes down to.

is just enjoying.

the blessings of the Holy Child.

and the gift of family.

enjoy the moments.

amen.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...determine how it will be spent...

thinking of you Inez Christine Johnson Byers

time is the coin of your life. 

it is the only coin you have, and only you

 can determine how it will be spent.

 be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg 

the new year will be here soon.

time to let go of those words.

that allow other people to spend our time.

hate.

jealousy.

anger.

you know the words.

take back your time.

and spend it in.

peace.

harmony.

contentment.

light + objects=shadows

it is fourteen degrees.

and windy snow.

inside shadows today.

enjoy the moments.

just BE.

robin.

...week thirty-three of 52 photos project...

You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.

So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. 

This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

~steve jobs

week thirty-three

52 photos project

{Polka Dots}

just BE.

robin.

...12.1.13...

You may not remember the time you let me go first.

 Or the time you dropped back to tell me it wasn't that far to go.

 Or the time you waited at the crossroads for me to catch up. 

You may not remember any of those, but I do

 & this is what I have to say to you: 

today, no matter what it takes, we ride home together.

~storypeople

it's beginning to look a lot like...

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.