Verdant

Verdant
Originally uploaded by vajra.

The New Year is fast approaching. Adieu to a very good year and welcome to the abundance and creativity of the new year.

Stachys byzantina

Stachys byzantina
Originally uploaded by vajra.

Cat Friday

The Big Little Guy
Originally uploaded by vajra.

Winter White

Winter White
Originally uploaded by vajra.

51 Projects

I recently added the link to my faves. I also purchased the book. I'm considering doing "projects" for my New Year's resolutions. 52 Projects may be the catalyst I need. I've already focused on a project that Scott suggested: a new way to use my photographs. He suggested that I make iPhoto books of my flowers. It's a wonderful idea.

Low Key

The day after Christmas (if you don't have to go to work) is just about perfect: nothing to buy, plenty of leftovers, just blustery enough to make staying in feel cozy. Also, you can reflect on the deliciousness of Christmas itself, which can continue to warm you because the tree and cards and nativities are still up. I'm happy: not raucously so, but warmly. And today's rain makes it seem like Christmas season. Joy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
come this way!
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day!

Welcome, welcome!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, welcome!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Is in our grasp,
So long as we,
Have hands to clasp!

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas!
Bring your cheer.
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome all who's,
Far and near

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome, Christmas!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, Christmas!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Will always be
Just as long,
As we have we
Welcome all who's,
Far and near.

___Dr. Seuss

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

I've just put the Christmas posole on to simmer. I also prepared two baking dishes of carne adovada. It looks like we are set for Christmas week. Not all the presents are purchased but I don't mind that: so long as everything is done by January 6, all's right with the world.

O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel,
Rex et legifer noster,
expectatio gentium,
et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos,
Domine, Deus noster.

O Emmanuel,
the one awaited by the gentiles,
and their Savior:
come to save us,
Lord our God.

O Rex Gentium!

O Rex Gentium,
et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis,
qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.


O King of the Nations,
and the one they desired,
keystone,
who makes both peoples one,
come and save mankind,
whom you shaped from the mud.

Cat Friday

Time To Rake
Originally uploaded by vajra.

O Oriens!

O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae,
et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina
sedentes in tenebris,
et umbra mortis.


O Dawn,
splendor of eternal light,
and sun of justice,
come, and shine on those ,
seated in darkness,
and in the shadow of death.

O Clavis David!

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

O Radix Jesse!

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur; veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, who standest as a sign for the peoples; before whom kings shall keep shut their mouth; whom the Nations shall beseech: come and deliver us, tarry no longer.

O Adonai!

O Adonai, et dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.


O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the fire of the flaming bush, and gavest him the law on Sinai; come and redeem us by Thine outstretched arm.

The Greater Ferias of Advent

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter, suaviter disponensque omnia; veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.


O Wisdom, Who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end mightily, and disposing all things sweetly; come and teach us the way of prudence.

I Am Not Sad

I am not sad to grow into age
after
all

the alternative is empty
dry
static

with no answer but no
answer
that

I do miss the lightness of my
lower
back

and the possibility of
rushing
silence

Cat Friday

Meal Time
Originally uploaded by vajra.

Squirrel

Squirrel
Originally uploaded by vajra.

Lucky enough to be born in the land o' milk and honey.

Fountain 5

Fountain 5
Originally uploaded by vajra.

The light falling on the droplets was so lovely; it was like Summer. Now the rain has started and the skies are gray and solemn: solstice is coming. But I still have this photo.

Lovely

Magnolia
Originally uploaded by vajra.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo
Originally uploaded by vajra.

The last of the ginkgo leaves are falling. Wind and rain have finally loosened them so that they carpet the ground with gold. The wind is clearing the sidewalks and soon the winter green grass will grow.

Even In December

Blue
Originally uploaded by vajra.

There are still flowers blooming, here and there. We've just had a bit of blustery weather but I doublt if it will stop the intrepid blooms that herald our brief and glorious early spring. Winter is a blue season and Spring is pink and we have not yet ended the Red season of Autumn. So we go, in colors.

Discipleship

natal.450
Originally uploaded by vajra.

I am considering becoming the Newman Center sacristan. I am hoping to find room for service in my life and this seems like a way to do it. It's a role that really means being the housekeeper of the the sacristy. It requires no contact with others. It would mean making manual labor a meditation. This ieda came to me during Mass this evening. My doubts are still there but that is no reason to refuse to be of service. I will call Monday and perhaps agree at that time.

John Lennon

John Lennon
Originally uploaded by vajra.

A working class hero is something to be.



Rest now.

Cat Friday

Oliver Kicks Back
Originally uploaded by vajra.

My Afternoon Walk

Autumn Sidewalk 8
Originally uploaded by vajra.

My "Afternoon Walk" slideshow. Just click on the title or the photo.

Sad News

The body of James Kim has been found.
Please say a prayer for his family and friends.

Winter Is Coming

Remembering Summer
Originally uploaded by vajra.

I used a picture of a rose, not only to celebrate the beautiful Autumn weather we are having, but, also, to grasp that roses are waiting within the grasp of Winter to announce their lucious abundance. Also it seems relevant to celebrating the finding of Kati, Penelope, and Sabine Kim. Now let's hope James Kim is found safe.

Hope For the Kims

This family has been missing since November 25th. Let's get the word out.





UPDATE
(12-04) 20:31 PST GRANTS PASS, ORE. -- After having been missing for nine days, a San Francisco woman and two young daughters she kept alive by breastfeeding were found safe today in the snowbound mountains of southwestern Oregon, authorities said.

The woman's husband and father of the two children went to look for help two days ago and has not been found. Authorities said they were tracking his footprints through the snow.

Kati Kim, 30, was waving an umbrella with "SOS" written on it when she was spotted at 1:45 p.m. by a helicopter crew that had been hired by the Kim family, said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police.

Kim and her two daughters, 4-year-old Penelope and 7-month-old Sabine, were found with the family car just off Bear Camp Road, a treacherous, little-used mountain route that runs across the Coast Range from Grants Pass along Interstate 5 to the coastal town of Gold Beach. The car had become stuck in snow and underbrush.

Kim's husband, James Kim, 35, left the car Saturday with snowshoes in search of help and is still missing, authorities said. The search for him will continue into the night.

Poppea

Poppea
Originally uploaded by vajra.

I saw this sublime performance last week. Susan Graham is a true diva. And all the rest of the cast was up to her magnificence. After seeing the San Franciso production in 1998 (singing was great but the production was a total disaster) I feel fortunate to have seen this gorgeous opera in all its garoque glory.

I Believe In Santa

Your Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled With a Puppy

Well - one cute, soft, cuddly puppy... And a very soiled Christmas stocking.

What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?

Cat Friday

Leon Being Cute
Originally uploaded by vajra.