"Memory is an amazing gift" ~~~~~~

Those words were actually in a comment by a dear friend. She left it on the blog post of another very dear friend. I have had the great fortune to meet both of these amazing women in person, one in Canada the other in England. We have blogged and followed each other for years. We have a lot in common. Like me, these special women - you know who you are and I know you won't mind me saying this - are no longer youthful in numbers. Below is the United Nations statement regarding that long ago, to us, period of age.

YOUTH is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to adulthood’s independence. That’s why, as a category, youth is more fluid than other fixed age-groups. Yet, age is the easiest way to define this group, particularly in relation to education and employment, because ‘youth’ is often referred to a person between the ages of leaving compulsory education, and finding their first job.

That age group according to the United Nations is 15-24. We three gals have plenty of memories of way back then and they, like me, remain youthful in so many other ways. Their exuberance for life shines through in their writing, worldly travels, hobbies and pastimes, their love for family, and everything they share about daily life or special occasions. 

So, the words "Memory is a special gift" immediately grabbed me, making me think initially of the obvious and how terrible it must be to lose one's memory, especially of the past. Although I'm now pushing 80 - there I've said it - I am grateful to still have a good memory. Oh yes, I may forget the actual name of the restaurant by the sea in Morocco three years ago, but I recall the decor details and the fragrant vegetable tagine so clearly! What was the name of that nice woman I met for the first time at the grocery store last week, or the movie we watched recently?  They will come to me later perhaps!

The 'kissing ball' is hanging in the hallway again for the Christmas season.

This weekend has been busy around the house now that December is here.

Welcome rain. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . brought much needed moisture to the garden, along with a 

 number of birds. They've returned to spend what hopefully will be a

mild and manageable winter here in the southeastern states.  

Of course most of our southern garden birds are non-migratory, however

 they often seem hidden from view in autumn. Now they are definitely hungry

 at the feeders, and looking for a warm place for the night.

Our garden has a lot of trees and shrubbery to hide in, and the hanging 

ferns are left up on the porch, perhaps not looking their best, but the

 Carolina wrens have always made them their 'bedrooms' in winter - and

 they are my favorite little birds so I like to know they are safe and warm.

"Our pair" of Northern flickers appeared in the garden at the feeder yesterday.

They've been 'on holiday' somewhere else for a while.

One of the larger woodpeckers, so beautifully feathered and welcomed always.

The Knockout roses are still blooming, not much else is now!

Though wet outside this morning, yesterday was sunny, bright blue skies, 

and calm. Bob raked more leaves, easier when they are dry and the wind, 

which was so blustery on Monday, had gone. Our pile at the street is

 now a mountain and the city won't return until January to vacuum them up. 

The pickup is no longer done three times, cut back now to two, which is

 not good. Raleigh, with so many trees and officially known as the

 City of Oaks, is now swamped with fallen leaves. . . . . .and there are

 still more to fall!

This morning I was up early, before sunrise and 'visited' some favorite

 blog friends back in jolly old England - as they were five hours ahead 

and already up and enjoying a busy day no doubt 

I really loved friend Pat's post - she's in the Yorkshire Dales at her always

 great blog Weaver of Grass.  

Her interesting discussion is on dealing with cold weather back in the

 early days when we now older British gals and guys were kids.

Following WWII, we were "deprived" of central heating, and other comforts 

today's kids have never known about, much less experienced.

Go read her post and the great comments - I left one too about my knickers! 

 Makes one so grateful for what we have today.

Pat's posts often bring back childhood memories and I love that.

Have a good one. I'm staying inside today, making lists, checking them 

twice, and trying to get organized.

December means Christmas -

Eugéne Samuel Grasset (Swiss 1845-1917)

Color Wood Engraving from his portfolio Les Mois -1895

This has always been one of my favorite depictions of December as

 Christmas approaches - snow, hellebores, wind, a red dress and warm wrap, 

and a huge bunch of mistletoe.

This is the week I committed to nothing but Christmas decorating, indoor 

and outdoor. It's completed and I'm happy.

Well we did also manage to squeeze in a most enjoyable dinner date with friends 

(at that great Greek restaurant we recently discovered out of town) to celebrate

the season. . . . .and some shopping for gifts and holiday foods. . . . .also a great

Christmas concert. . . . . . and I wrote a lot of cards with more to do today.

I also blogged of course!

Yesterday's chilly, dreary weather with non-stop rain - still falling this morning -

made the kitchen a good place to be. I roasted squash - kuri and acorn -

made tomato basil soup, and even the famous 'best ever' apple pie - recipe

from my special friend Penny whom we'll be visiting in the mountains next week!

The list was long - a lot was done.

How are you doing with your Christmas preparations?