It's The Little Things...

My youngest kid brother, The Musician, is famous within the tribe for giving the most interesting gifts, at Christmas and at other times of year. This year was no different. He puts thought into his gifts and they always are a hit with Your Humble Scribe. (Who as he gets older appreciates the little things more and more.)

As you can see in the opening photo, one of my gifts from The Musician was that wee owl in the wee snow globe. The quarter gives you an idea of the size of it. Not large, but it captured my fancy almost immediately.

Christmas Day we went over the The Olde Vermonter's house for dinner. As some of you might remember, he and Mrs. Olde Vermonter live in the house where I spent my formative years. He added an addition for his late mother-in-law some years ago. Unfortunately she didn't get to spend a long time with them, passing not long after moving in as I recall.

So the ancestral home is larger than it used to be. Growing up, there were my Mom and Dad, my two brothers and myself, a cat, three bedrooms, one bath. The living room seems small now, but it seemed more than adequate growing up. The one bath though, yeah, that was a problem with five of us. (Our cat, first Tommy, then later Ulysses, had his own bathroom.)

The addition added a second bath and a new living area about the size of the living room and kitchen combined in the older part of the house. With nine adults, two large dogs and one small dog present for Christmas dinner, there was enough room. Not that we could have held a dance but it was roomy enough. (The Olde Vermonters have two cats, who make themselves scarce whenever there is company. I have actually seen them only once, and that was as they fled for the safety of the upstairs portion of the split level.)

After a magnificent repast of turkey, ham, two varieties of meatballs (one pot of store-bought and one pot made to my late father's recipe, proud of his meatballs he was), shrimp, cranberry sauce, two magnificent vegetable casseroles (one broccoli, one candied yams), and various beverages, we gathered in the new addition to exchange gifts. The Musician handed out envelopes with a tiny snow globe attached to each one.

I immediately began to play with the snow globe, shaking it to watch the snow flakes swirl around the little owl. The Missus Herself asked me what I had received, so I showed her the little owl.

"No, you ID-10-T, what's in the envelope?"

"Oh, let me check..."

For those keeping score at home, it was a Cabela's gift card. Very nice I thought, I've never shopped there, but I checked their website, they do have some really neat stuff. But my attention was fixed upon the wee owl. I guess I really am a small boy at heart.

We had a marvelous time, laughing and telling stories of the old days, that old house rang with laughter and Christmas cheer just like in the days of my youth. I swear that the spirits of both sets of grandparents looked down on the gathering, and I could feel my father's spirit there, also uncles and aunts who have gone on ahead. Not to mention a couple of old cats and one black lab who looked on from the Rainbow Bridge.

It was splendid. I hated to see it end but end it did, as all things do.

I pray your Christmas was blessed and for my Jewish friends I hope your Hanukkah is truly wonderful. It's a great time of year, my favorite time of year.

Ah well, I'm off to watch my owl in the snow.

A Christmas Peace to Peace on Earth.

Continuing on Sarge's theme from the past few days here.  He's been sharing some excellent carols, and I thought I'd do the same.  A friend shared this one with me and while I didn't recognize the video at first, never really knowing who the artist was,, I realized it contains one of my favorite songs of the season.    

The video seems to combine two stories from The Great War.  I'm nowhere near the historian that my co-bloggers are, but to this novice, it overlays the Christmas truce of 1914 with the tragic results of the battles, and the use of Chlorine Gas, in the Flanders area of Belgium in 1915.  The tragic death there inspired the John McCrae poem- In Flanders Field.  That poem has been posted here once or twice on Veterans day so I won't put it up myself, mainly because this is about the Christmas season, vice Armistice Day.  Think more poinsettias vice poppies, but I digress.  Either way, it reminds me of a sentiment I saw recently, that thanks to their Christmases back then, we're able to have our Christmas today.  I'm not exactly sure where the footage is from.  Probably some movie depicting the truce.  Anyone recognize it? 

The family manger scene

The stories blend together well though because of McCrae's apparent preoccupation with death.  Ok, that sentence sounds horrible, but death is just the crossover point from life's struggles to the peace and salvation that follows.  War is death, yet at Christmas, we are given the gift of eternal life through the birth of Jesus Christ.  I need to focus on this right now as there's plenty of bad news that feels like it's drowning out the Good News.

That's not easy to do, with a 24 hour news cycle that profits from hate, division, death, and tragedy. Ooh, sorry, more darkness. And we have politicians that leverage all of that for votes and power.  Ugh, even more darkness- don't worry, I'm done.  So while it's Christmas (and the rest of the year if possible), we should try to turn down all of that and focus on all the goodness in the world, on the saving grace that came to us on that very special birthday the other day.  There are plenty of good news stories out there, of heroes, of good Samaritans, of healing graces, and joyful happenings, but we just need to look for them.  Maybe that's a resolution we could strive for- to seek out more goodness, more of the happy stories.  For all its negatives, social media can actually be a good place to see some of that joy.  And a ton of cat videos.

 A lot of the world celebrates Christmas, even if they don't believe in Christ.  It's a fun and joyous season, even if it is far too commercial.  But what about the true reason for the season?  I think it's actually very universal.  If we can focus on the lessons Jesus taught, and the tenants of Christianity, those 10 commandments and such, and set aside the differences in how we worship, the sins and failings of church leaders, we'd all be better off.

In a movie from a few years back called Gifted, there was a scene I liked.  The biological father of a brilliantly gifted girl was striving for custody of her and they had an exchange about Jesus.

Mary Adler : What about Jesus?
Frank Adler : Love that guy. Do what he says.
Mary Adler : But, is he God?
Frank Adler : I don't know. I have an opinion. But that's my opinion and I could be wrong. So why would I screw up yours? Use your head. But don't be afraid to believe in things either.             Source

"Love that guy.  Do what he says."  I love that line.  Even if you don't believe in Jesus as our savior, he gave us some amazing lessons.  And if we follow them, the world really would be a better place.  And maybe we could even bring about something that would be a gift for all of us:

Source

 One final* Christmas song that I love.  And Faith Hill isn't hard to look at either.

  

Merry Christmas from me and my wife, and a joyous, peaceful and less divisive New Year to all the staff and readers here at The Chant.

* If one's not enough, here's another I love.

A Light in the Dark

(Source)

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:25-35 (KJV)

Traveling on this Second Day of Christmas. Back to hearth and home, back to the feline staff who have been in the care of their Godmother (next door neighbor who rescued them from the wild 'lo these many years past), I shall be reflecting on the lessons of Christmas and what will be in the year to come.

May we have Peace, may the disagreements and troubles of the past remain in the past. Be a light unto a dark world...

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 (KJV)

Vacation continues...

Veni

Adoration of the Shepherds
Gerard van Honthorst

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:15-20 (KJV)

Merry Christmas to all.

May you spend the day with loved ones, remember those who cannot.

Peace and Joy my friends.

Peace and Joy.

Peace On Earth

View of Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts from the International Space Station.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

From space, the pains, sorrows, and even the joys of the world's peoples cannot be seen. Yes, they are there, yes, they are real, yet they take on a certain insignificance when viewed from a distance.

In this season of Christmas (and yes, of Hanukkah as well) I turn my face to the Lord Above and I know Hope, I know Love, and I pray for patience. There is suffering in the world and I do what I can to alleviate such suffering, even if that simply means not contributing to the suffering of others.

Do what you can, when you can, and know that the Lord is in His Heaven and will return someday. Until then, keep the faith, love thy neighbor, be a Peacemaker.

Christmas Eve is upon us and as we travel to be with family, I pray for those less fortunate and try, as much as I can, to share my blessings with them.

Peace be with you all.

And Love, it really is all you need.

Un poco de esto, un poco de aquello

Well...Big week coming up and first things first.  Little Juvat and his bride are scheduled to arrive later this afternoon at Austin-Bergstrom (site of an exciting time in my life, back when Bergstrom was an Air Force Base) after a direct flight from Frankfurt (another site of an exciting time in my life).

My, oh my, how air travel has changed in the last 40 years.  Non-stop, Frankfurt to Austin.  My lower posterior anatomy aches just thinking about it.

Meanwhile, Mrs J has been doing yeoman's work decorating the house for the Holidays.  (Yeoman's work is defined as "...simply good, honest, hard work. A yeoman was a class of farmer, above a laborer but below a land-owner."  Note the "Above a laborer".  Guess who?

Yep!

So,  Little J and his Bride arrive today.  Given the long journey, we are going to attempt to keep them awake until at least dark, but it is the start of Winter.  Sunset is 5:40 today. (OK, Beans 5:40:47 to be precise, sheesh!), so a little late Lunch/early Dinner and the trip home should accomplish that.  Plus, added bonus, we can visit with MBD and SIL before they depart for his Parents for the actual holiday.


We share and swap holidays each year.  This year we had Thanksgiving.  But, we get them back on the 26th.  Gotta exchange hostages gifts.
 
Update: Little Juvat and Bride successfully recovered, refueled with Margaritas and Chuy's Mexican Food and tucked in for the night. Let the festivities begin!
 

Speaking of gifts.  I finally got this beast completed.  Little J and I are going to finish assembly in my Sister's house while she's at work on Christmas Eve.  Ebenezer Scrooge (whose initials are HEB) is alive and well.  All that's left to do is fasten the legs to the desk frame.

I am anxious for the project to be finished, so I can get back in my shop, and be able to move around in it.

Because I've got other projects that are occupying my time.

As some of you may recall, back in May we had some torrential rain, which washed out our road.

Well, we've finally got all the hoops jumped and i's crossed and t's dotted (or something) and started the reconstruction project.

The picture above was Monday.  Friday came along and this is where we are.

The washed out area is between the skid steer and the base covered road to the left of it.  The good news is I can get to almost 5mph transiting that wash now.  But...that was Friday.  The Pit, where they get the base from, closed Friday PM until January 2nd.

I know the ranchers around here are praying for rain.  I really hope it doesn't in the interim.

But...It is Winter in Texas.  Which can be summarized in two pictures.

Monday Afternoon

Tuesday morning

Why don't you want rain, juvat?

Well...we've still got about 900' of base to lay down still.  Any appreciable rain will turn what is now dirt into what is known in the construction business (I've been told) as mud.

This will further delay the construction of the road.  Which is the requirement before construction can start on ....

The Lair.

The little pink flags are various corners/edges of what will be the Lair

The well and electricity are in, and the site has been staked out.  Pouring the foundation is the next step, but I've been informed that loaded cement trucks are heavy and their drivers are not fond of "mud". 

Go figure.

Hence the requirement for the road base to be completed.  The heavy trucks will help compact it which will be needed before the chip seal is added.  That will be the last step in the project.
 
The Lair, when completed, will look very similar to this.

And we hope to celebrate next Christmas in it.

View from, what will be, the front door.

Finally, Sarge posted this past Saturday about "Formation Flying" and included this picture.

Which is cool.

However...

I'm in the second aircraft, solo.

And then...

I'm flying the jet with the photographer in my back seat.  He lied to me when he said CINCPACAF had approved the maneuver.  I've still got the note from the Wing Director of Operations to not display this photo in public.

You folks will keep it a secret right?

Merry Christmas to all.  If you celebrate it, Happy Hanukkah.  Otherwise, Happy Holidays.

Memory Lane, Part Two

A few years back, we stopped putting up a Christmas tree. Did it bother me? Truth be told, yes it did, it bothered me a lot. It was The Missus Herself who made that call and, as it is with most of her decisions, there was a lot of logic behind it.

We would be traveling at Christmas, why put up a tree? Well, it made sense and, as The Missus Herself never does anything halfway, it would save a lot of work. Both in the decorating and in the undecorating, which would be rendered unnecessary. We still put lights in the windows and she assures me that when the kids and their tribes come to visit at Christmas, we shall decorate like in olden times. Well, our olden times at any rate.

Anyhoo, rather than me natter on, I'll share some photos from Sarge's Christmases Past...

Decorated tree, manger scene, cat under the tree, what could be more Christmasy?

Peeking through a window in The Missus Herself's Christmas Village.

The wee tree The Nuke and The WSO had at their apartment for a number of years.

Cats (that's Sasha) and discarded wrapping paper, it's a thing ya know?

Anya seems startled to have her picture taken. Probably because that's not her toy!

Looks like Grandpa and Grandson have hit the Christmas Cheer perhaps a wee bit much?

Christmas has to involve family. (The Nuke was behind the camera.)

Must be Christmas morning!

Gotta have Christmas dinner, and yes I do love Brussels sprouts.

Sasha wants to open presents right now!

My grandson wondering if auntie Nuke is going to drop him,
and perhaps now is a good time to vomit...

Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa meet their great-grandson for the first time.

Son and grandson, the wee lad seems tuckered out by all the excitement.

Yeah, I love Christmas.