A Merry Christmas!

This is a view from downslope of the barn at Refuge Farm. The snow- no kidding- is falling lightly on this Christmas morning. It is enough to gently accumulate just a bit and bring back memories of the kids and their wild excitement, and the parallel wild excitement we shared all those years ago when we were their age.

In the spirit of this morning, keep a memory handy for those who cared for us, and raised us to live in their American Century of peace and security. It is their spirit and lives we celebrate this morning. I could show you the picture Grace took of the gentle snowfall, but you have seen enough exterior shots of our modest outbuildings in Virginia’s Piedmont. I regret to say you will be subjugated to more as things change on this rich and lovely land.

The reindeer in the marvelous image above reminds us to celebrate the live around us. Human, of course, and then the web of live around us. The animals that thrive amid our imaginary lines of property. We see them each day as they go about their affairs: turkeys wild and domestic, chickens, dogs, coyotes, barn cats, foxes, goats and deer who wander among us, wild pigs and the cattle who look over their fences in calm assurance. Look up and you will see the watchful eyes of the herons, hawks and buzzards in their elegant graceful flights above.

My thanks to Mongo and the Tunes Update folks for use of the marvelous image. And for all of us- whatever faith- a day of peace in this year of tumult.

– Vic