Friday, December 26

Quotes +


Grover, Raggedy Anne, Oscar, Froggie and Kenju say: we hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!


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To be nobody but myself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

e.e. cummings, poet (1894-1962)


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Neither genius, fame, nor love show the greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that.

Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, preacher, journalist and activist (1802-1861)



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Here at Casa Kenju, we had our annual family gathering on Christmas Eve. The tenderloin was tender, the potatoes (a new recipe) wonderful, the green beans as good as usual, the deviled eggs sought after, the macaroni fit for a king, the rolls hot and the ambiance festive - and so - a good time was had by all. Dessert helped too: my favorite pineapple up-side down cake, apple and pecan pies.

Presents were exchanged and approved, and children scattered to try out their gifts. The boys got miniature helicopters (battery-operated) which provided several hours of fun for kids and grown-ups alike. The girls enjoyed their make-up kits and went off to the bathroom mirrors to apply eyeshadow, blush and lipstick and then model for us. It was so warm that they went outside to practice cheers and dances, and I suspect that my neighbors enjoyed watching them perform as much as we did. We are really blessed in our family with beautiful granddaughters and handsome grandsons. It is too bad that their parents don't want their photos used here, otherwise I 'd share!

Today was (luckily) quiet. I spent much of it lying in my recliner, watching "The Other Boleyn Girl", which I recommend you rent pronto. What a good movie!!

Some sad news came via email yesterday morning. One of our neighbors passed away on Christmas Eve around 11pm. The email was titled "Christmas in Heaven" and while it may sound like a wonderful thing (spending Christmas in Heaven), it made me very sad. Losing this man probably means that his wife will eventually move away, and I will be sad to lose her, as she is one of my favorite people. I had prayed that he would survive the holiday, but it was not to be. Now he is out of pain and she can have a measure of peace. I just wish it had happened after the holidays.

12 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

Your Christmas sounded wonderful and filled with love and yummy stuff but I'm sorry for your loss, Judy. May a gracious God be good to him.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What a wonderful time you aqll had...I love that the grandchildren wenjoyed their presents so very much.
Sorry to read anbout the loss of your dear neighnor and the most likely impending move of his wife....May He Rest In Peace, and hopefully she will NOT mve away!
Glad you had a quiet day today, my dear.

Anonymous said...

That gathering sounds wonderful. Those mini Helicopters were all the rage this side of the pond too!

Sorry to hear about your neighbour. Today I saw the third ambulance in as many days. One brought brought a neighbour home from the hospice for the holiday while another took a different neighbour to hospital. This morning's ambulance was called to the playing fields way down below me during a football amtch.

Stay safe and enjoy the rest today.

Granny Annie said...

A beautiful reflection of your holiday and all the joy that surrounds our celebrations.

A sad reflection of the loss of your neighbor. I know that you will be a strong friend for his wife and while she is there you are the friend to have.

Tabor said...

I also have a neighbor who has returned from quadruple bypass and we thought we would lose him. He seems to have weathered this difficult surgery and now they will 'hopefully' stay here longer.

Lisa said...

It's always about taking the good with the bad, isn't it?

Hugs to you sweetie. Losing our friends is never easy. Life goes on, though, doesn't it?

sage said...

Sounds like a lovely Christmas (with the exception of the sad news)! Most of our Christmas was spent in the car!

Beverly said...

Your Christmas sounds indeed wonderful. I'm so sorry about your neighbor and the loss that it will mean to you. God bless the dear widow.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

What an excellent celebration. I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor. Prayers for his wife and family going out.

Mojo said...

OMG! You CAPITALIZED e.e. cummings!!

Isn't that like... blasphemy or something?

awareness said...

Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day Judy. I loved the quotes, and the photos of your beautiful decorating....also seeing those Sesame Street animals bring back memories.

I'm sorry to read about the loss of your friend and neighbour. It is difficult to lose anyone, but this time of year makes it so much more poignant.

ps. want to see that movie. we watched the Clooney/Pitt latest by the Coen brothers. It was typically hilarious in its twisted way. Love the Coen brothers humour.

Bobkat said...

I am glad you had such a good time with your family, but very sad to hear about your neighbour.