By Candle Light

 The rain fell.  The wind blew.  Our electrical power went off for nearly eight hours.  I lit the beautiful beeswax candles Teresa made for me and admired the candles and the holly and greens her husband Dayle cut from their property to decorate the candles. I wrote a Christmas card.  I crocheted some on a red yarn bag for a granddaughter for Christmas.

 I made tea light Celestial Imperial Tai Chai tea two cups at a time.  The teapot is sitting on a pretty doily, Tammy kindly made for me.  The teapot wrapped in the Christmas tea cozy Amanda made for me years ago helped the tea to brew more rapidly.

 Uncle Tim read a book about a sailor bear to Hayley and Joy, and read it again when requested to do so.

 It got darker.  We made sandwiches for dinner.  We sang some Christmas carols.

We ate candy kind friends had sent.  Aunt Lissie rocked baby Sarah.
The candles burned lower.

Just as we were getting ready to go to bed the Christmas tree lights came back on and the heater started filling the house with more warmth.

I had awakened in the morning with the beginnings of a cold I did not want.  I had other busy plans for the day.  I have been attending more gatherings than usual and enjoying seasonal celebrations. But this unexpected time of living in candlelight while challenging and worrisome in some ways, was simply wonderful.

During this season I have been listening to the modern Michael W. Smith Holiday channel on Pandora, and enjoying it very much, but as I'm typing this I am listening to ancient, classical styled "Till Morn Eternal Breaks" Sacred Choral Music of Benedict Sheehan performed by The Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon's Monastery, which my dear friend Becky sent me from NY, and I am enjoying it very much as well...its like a candle light versus electricity contrast for my ears!

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in this season, may God bless you.

xx

Gracie