winter solstice

 It’s that time of year...

The winter holidays are upon us once again. Twinkling lights, decorated trees, candle lighting, gift giving - all the usual trimmings for this time of year.

It’s also the winter solstice and one of the most enduring symbols of this solstice is the importance of light. In the depths of winter, when days are short and nights are long, people have long sought ways to bring light into their lives to combat the darkness and cold. This is reflected in the many winter solstice traditions that revolve around light, such as using candles, fireplaces, and lanterns to brighten homes and public spaces. And much of this naturally overlaps with Christmas and Hanukkah. Whether it is the warmth and comfort of a fire, the light of a candle, or the twinkle of holiday lights, this is a time when people come together to celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of new beginnings. From this day forward the days will start to get longer and we experience more daylight.

Today is also a big day at Stonehenge. The stones of Stonehenge have silently marked the winter solstice for thousands of years. The Druids of ancient Britain also saw the winter solstice as a time of renewal and rebirth, and it was an important event in their religious calendar. 

This was a few years ago at the Tree of Lights on Solstice Day. It was turning dark  and I was waiting for the lights to bring brightness to this day with the shortest daylight hours.

"After the longest night, tomorrow we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished." - Dacha Avelin

the santa tree

Ho, ho, ho...Merry Christmas! This little Santa tree is placed close to the front door where it greets anyone who comes through that entrance. Quite a few years ago when decorating the big Christmas tree, I noticed that there were a lot of Santa ornaments amongst the other tree baubles. Why not have them all hang out together?

This guy is the STAR of the tree. Back in my teaching days, Wendy, the creative App Tech teacher, was the head of the "Morale Committee," where Super Teachers Are Recognized. One year before our holiday break, she hung this Santa ornament on each classroom door. I always think of Wendy when placing Santa star on the tree. Her classroom was a couple doors down from my room and we had so many wonderful conversations. Lots of good memories from those hallway chats.

The trains underneath the tree are a nod to my Dad. He loved trains and as a young boy started collecting Lionel trains. He carried this hobby through his adult life. He discovered a Lionel store in Cincinnati, made friends with the owner who called Dad whenever he found something he thought Dad might want to add to his collection. Every Christmas Dad lovingly set up his trains around the Christmas tree. He put the smoke pellets in the engine and blew the whistle, would dump the cargo when it passed over a switch and would switch the trains to go right or left. It was such a treat to see Dad act like a little kid. My brothers now have the trains and occasionally will  set them up. When my grandchildren get bigger, I would like to borrow the trains to set up around my Christmas tree so they can experience the magic of their great-grandpa's toy trains.

 

the friday feed: tiramisu

One last Chicago post...

After a lovely evening of driving through a huge Christmas light display in Northbrook, we stopped for dinner at Tutto Fresco. We all enjoyed our meals with everyone requesting a take home box. You think you put a big dent in that bowl of pasta but when you're sufficiently full, there's still enough left over to make a meal for the next day. Anyway, as full as we were, my daughter with the sweet tooth asked if anyone would want some tiramisu. How can you say no to that light, fluffy, whipped-creamy with a cherry on top dessert? We sure didn't!

Spongy decadence

With caffeinated sweetness

  Need spoons for five, please.

conquering the sky: december 17, 1903

The Starfield in the dome of the Schuster Performing Arts Center portrays the constellation in the night sky over Dayton, Ohio, on the night of December 16, 1903. 

The following morning on the sands of the banks of Kill Devil's Hill, North Carolina, at 10:35 a.m., December 17, 1903, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, Orville and Wilbur Wright , changed the world.

Orville flew the first flight for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. Three more flights occurred that day, with the longest by Wilbur covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. The landing from the last flight slightly damaged the aircraft, the Wrights intended to quickly fix the Flyer and attempt yet another flight. Unfortunately, a sudden gust of wind picked up the aircraft and tossed it along the beach, causing extensive damage. The world's first successful airplane would never fly again, but that didn't deter Orville and Wilbur from moving forward with their dream of powered flight.

 

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

A trip to Chicago for a few days. At my high school reunion, when making conversation with people you remember from 50 years ago but haven't stayed in touch, one of the questions was, "Now that you're retired, do you go anywhere for the winter." My answer, "Cleveland and Chicago to visit my grandkids." That always got a confused reaction.

Friday morning my daughter and I took the little guy to daycare so we could spread Christmas joy to school children. Such a pretty sunrise over the bitterly cold city as we started the day.

The Museum of Science and Industry's annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light was a fun excursion to get out of the house. It features more than 50 trees and displays, each decorated by community volunteers who share family and cultural traditions drawing on their global heritage. This beloved annual exhibit started in 1942 as one tree to represent unity during World War II and has since turned into an engaging winter wonderland. It brings a whole world of holiday joy under one roof.

The United States' tree has an ornament for each of the 50 states. We had to hunt for Ohio and finally found it in the back of the tree.

England and France's trees. England's tree topper is hard to see but it is a crown. The sparkling Eiffel Tower tops France's tree.

Todd and my son-in-law were supposed to go to the Cleveland Browns v. Chicago Bears football game but it was too bitterly cold. The wind chill factor was around -10°F (-23°C) and as much as Todd loves his Browns, watching them in the bitter cold was not appealing. However, my daughter, who loves football as much as her dad, did go to the game with a bunch of her crazy friends and appeared on the television screen for a brief moment. She's the blonde in the left corner.

My little grandson loves to organize his animals. As he lines them up, he says each one's name, and then looks at Didi to repeat what he says. This was a great source of entertainment and now I hear his little voice, "brown bear, turtle, tiger, toucan, crocodile, flamingo, elephant..."

The I-65 wind farm is always a boredom buster on the journey to and from Chicago. 20 miles of driving through snow-covered, frozen Indiana farmland. 

We got home to witness this knock-your-eyes-out sunset. Mother Nature sure put on a color show.

 

monday's mulling: christmas spirit

In western Chicago, there is a preschool which provides educational programs for children with multiple disabilities - physical disabilities, health impairments, autism, severe/profound cognitive impairments and developmental delays. This school is specifically structured to help children with their milestones and struggles early on. 64% of the students are low income and 75% have IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). These young people have started their lives with some big strikes against them but in this building are the teachers who give their all, their hearts, to these children every day. This small school in the Chicago Public School system offers big services to give children a strong start in their education. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is not financially sound. This where some Christmas angels step in to help one little school.

My daughter and son-in-law’s company has adopted this school and every year before the children go on their holiday break, through the employees’ generosity as well as that of friends, family, and the corporate office, they bring toys to each student and provide funds to the school and teachers for technology and classroom supplies. This year my daughter invited us to come to the school to watch the festivities.

My son-in-law dressed up as Santa and almost every child walked up to him to receive his or her gift. Some were timid, some were quite confident, some were downright scared but each child, regardless of the confidence level received a gift. After they got back to their seat, they opened their bag and smiles lit up the room.

Children and Christmas…it’s pure joy.

the way we were

Memories

Light the corners of my mind

Misty watercolor memories 

Of the way we were…

A little blast from the past, when there were words and not symbols. These walk/don't walk signs haven't been replaced by the contemporary universal stick figures and I hope they don't. They fit the charm of this older neighborhood.

 

the friday feed: grandpa's cheese barn

Just off of I-71 in Ashland Ohio, you will see signs for Grandpa's Cheesebarn, a premier destination for meats, cheeses, sweets and more. Founded in 1978, Grandpa’s Cheesebarn has beckoned travelers for decades. Not surprisingly, the Cheesebarn’s selection of cheese is phenomenal. The store carries about 200 varieties of cheese, and many of the domestic cheeses come from Ohio’s Amish Country.

On our last visit to Cleveland we stopped by Grandpa's Cheesebarn to buy some Christmas gifts. The employees encourage samples of any cheese you want to try and one we tried was called Steakhouse Onion Soup. It was a bite of French onion soup and of course we bought some to take home. Grandpa's private label pickles are delicious and we like the sweet hot habanero pickles. Stopping here is not a quick trip. So much to see and sample. We savor the experience!

Quirky Ohio

Go visit Grandpa’s Cheese Barn

Lots of shopping fun!

needlepoint

Back in the early 1980s I was working, a newlywed, enjoyed doing counted cross stitch, and loved Christmas. I saw this kit and it really caught my eye. It was needlepoint which was different but at the same time very similar to counted cross stitch. It took a while to make the decision to buy it and then it became one of those projects where I picked it up, worked on it for a while, and then put it away for a while. It became a true work in progress. 1984 came around and I became a mom and the needlepoint stayed in its drawer until...

2020. 

Yep, 36 years later the pandemic shut the world down and there was lots of time todo some serious house cleaning - going through "stuff," doing some purging, and even finishing a long forgotten project. The frame completed the piece in July 2021.

And now, even though this is a "new" piece of Christmas wall art, it has become a favorite holiday tradition.

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

Last week we were taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas in New York City. As we settled into the back-home routine on Sunday, Todd asked me what some of my most memorable moments were. One of the moments was a meal at Rezdôra, a small Italian restaurant in the Flatiron neighborhood. The menu celebrates the cuisine of Emilia Romagna and centers around the house-made pasta. As I perused the menu, one item spoke to me, Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia. I could not pass that up...it had me at Grandma. The description is cappelletti verde with roasted, sauteed leeks and black mushroom puree. Absolutely delicious.

Other memorable moments include a Chinese foot massage (heavenly), the Macy's windows, the Rockettes 100th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular, the pedal cars blaring ad nauseum "Last Christmas" or "All I Want for Christmas Is You" or "Wonderful Christmastime" as they busk to take people for a ride, The Eleven Tears Memorial, and the tradition of having a Manhattan in Manhattan. 

Now it's time to hit the Christmas shopping. The family uses Gift Hero, an online list maker where you go to a person's list, point and click on the items you want to give, and then wait for the gift to arrive at your doorstep. It's so convenient. Some people love to go shopping in the stores. Not me. I don't like dealing with crowds for too long and I sure don't like the parking lots. So many idiot drivers out there.

The kids have sent Christmas photos of the grandkids. The sweetness of a Christmas photo after telling ChatGPT to make it "Polar Express style" and then the terrified kid on Santa's lap. Everyone will be in Dayton for Christmas. Busy days ahead!

the tree of lights

Dayton's iconic Tree of Light tradition began in 2015 when Dayton History transformed the Deeds Carillon into a 200-foot (60.69 m) light display for the first time. I remember seeing the tree for the first time, how it filled my heart with wonder and joy, and now ten years later it still does.

Last night was a brisk 27° as the sun's last rays set on the horizon. The bells rang Christmas carols - "Silver Bells", "O Christmas Tree" - as a couple with their dog and I strolled around the grounds. Such a moment of peace.

monday's mulling: the remedy and last week's friday feed

Welcome to the Friday Feed on Monday! Yes, it's a few days late and I was going to post it on Friday but it just didn't fit in with all the New York posts. You'll get a double-dose this week. Aren't you thrilled?

One of the joys of working at the farmer's market is the customers like to talk about what they're going to make with their produce purchases. A few years ago a woman came in, went to the field to pick some some cayenne peppers, and bought ten heads of garlic and a large onion. She then asked if we knew where to find fresh horseradish because that was the last ingredient she needed to make "The Remedy."

"The Remedy? Please explain."

The Remedy is an old recipe from her great-grandma which had been passed down to her via her mom and is touted as a home remedy to help ward off winter colds, flu cases, and could help settle the stomach. Today one of the names this concoction is known by is fire cider but I like The Remedy. It's a natural, old-fashioned tonic that has been passed down through generations. A couple weeks later she brought a copy of the recipe in and a sample for us to taste. Read the instructions. It is an old recipe. "Start on the first day of new moon. Shake everyday. Strain through cheese cloth on day of full moon." In other words, let it steep for two weeks.

Each of the ingredients has health benefits:

Ginger - aids digestion, reduces nausea and inflammation, and provides antioxidant protection. 

Cayenne pepper: the capsacin boosts metabolism to aid weight loss, reduces pain, supports cardiovascular health, improves digestion, provides beneficial antioxidants, vitamins C and A, and other nutrients such as B6, K, potassium, and magnesium.

Garlic: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Horseradish: supports digestion, boosts the immune system, fights inflammation, and clears nasal congestion.

Onions: support heart health, boost the immune system, improve gut and bone health, and contain compounds that help reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, lower "bad" cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure. 

Before the farm closed for the season, I went to the field and picked some cayenne peppers and bought some garlic and an onion. I couldn't find fresh horseradish so I bought a jar of St. Elmo's coarse cut horseradish. It cleared my sinuses when I took a whiff!

And, per the recipe's instructions, on the day of the new moon, October 21, one-by-one I put each ingredient in my food processor to chop them up. The cayennes made my eyes burn, as did the onion, the garlic packed a punch, and the ginger smelled so fresh. I dumped each ingredient in a gallon jar and poured 3+ bottles of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar over those fiery flavors. 14 days later on November 3, The Remedy was ready to be strained. 

After waking up, I put a couple tablespoons of this potent potion in a large glass, fill it with water, and sometimes add a touch of honey to take away the bite. Cheers!

Vinegar’s sharp bite

Garlic, ginger, onion, heat

Health in every drop.

chasing the sunset

"Never go too long without watching a sunset." ~ Atticus

The flight attendant announced that there was no wifi on the flight so...

We are two weeks from the Winter Solstice and the daylight hours grow shorter. Our flight left New York at 4:30 p.m. (16:30) as the sun was setting. Planes fly between 500 and 650 mph, so east-west sunset flights beautifully prolong twilight, and I was lucky to be in the window seat to watch the sun set above the clouds for the entire one and a half hours flight. 

The sunset started out subtly over the New York skyline and then...

POW...a burst of fiery brightness.

Westward, ho.

The last view of the sunset as the plane descended into the clouds and landed in the darkness in Columbus.

 

new york city state of mind

Sparkle, whimsey, and a touch of solemnity yesterday.

Hudson Yard, a high-end shopping mall, is beautiful any time of year but during Christmas it gets its sparkle on from top to bottom, everywhere you look. 

Some fun for the little ones (big people, too!). These toys just arrived on South Oculus Plaza. "REWIND,"  is an exhibition of six new large-scale public art sculptures by the New York-born contemporary artist WhIsBe. The installation blends fun, whimsy and bold design in a way that invites visitors to pause, look up and reconnect with a sense of play.

One World Trade Center gives one time to reflect on the events of 9/11/2001 and to hope for the future. At the 9/11 Memorial, white roses are the standard tribute, placed daily on victims' names for their birthdays to symbolize remembrance and purity, but red roses are sometimes left by visitors as a personal gesture of love, and remembrance for specific individuals, honoring their life and loss, often alongside the official white roses.

Just around the corner from the 9/11 Memorial and World Trade Center towers is an installation found in the AmEx building. Eleven Tears is a graceful and elegant tribute to the 11 American Express employees who died on September 11, 2001.
 
The installation consists of an 11-sided, 600-pound piece of natural Brazilian quartz that resembles a gigantic tear. This “tear” is set in a steel ring suspended from a 35-foot-high ceiling by 11 cables, and hovers over an 11-sided black granite fountain with the names of the employees etched into the granite, along with five words or phrases that describe the person. Drops of water gently fall like tears over these inscriptions.

The Rockefeller Center tree is now lit and will shine for New York City and all its visitors through mid-January 2026. The tree lighting was this past Wednesday and it was complete and utter mayhem in the blocks around the plaza. We stayed away on Wednesday but caught views on Thursday and Friday nights. It really is a beautiful beacon for the city that never sleeps.