reindeer Magic

 
 

His reindeer is waiting for him in the mail when he comes to play on Thursday. He plays with “Bob” the reindeer all day long. Introducing him to Baker and all the other animals he has in a basket on his toy shelf. He and Grandpa look up some reindeer facts and look at some pictures on the iPad. Bob watches as he eats his lunch, and while he takes his afternoon rest. Having limited exposure to Santa and his reindeer, he loves this deer for the beautiful creature that it is and I can tell he is a bit worried that he will have to leave him here, on the toy shelf when he goes home as he tells me how happy he is that he has a reindeer. I reassure him that Bob is supper excited to go home with him to meet mom and dad and live with him there.

 
 

5 fun facts about reindeer:

  1. Both the males and females grow antlers.

  2. Their noses are specially designed to warm the air before it gets to their lungs.

  3. Reindeer hooves expand in summer when the ground is soft and shrink in winter when the ground is hard.

  4. Some subspecies have knees that make a clicking noise when they walk so the animals can stay together in a blizzard.

  5. The first known written account of reindeer in association with the legend of Santa Claus occurred in 1821 in a booklet called ‘A New Year’s Present’.


Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O'er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.
-William Gilley 1821

a world of Illusion

“We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality" says Iris Murdoch.
But given the state of the world, is it wise?”
― Iris Murdoch

The muted tones of late autumn awaken something deep within me. I watch as she slips away, day by a day, making way for winter to emerge. I hold tight to this awakening, trusting it will be enough to hold me into the new season.

the winter Juncos

“Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all.”

-Emily Dickinson

I try to take better note of my camera settings by slowing down and really seeking what it is I am after. But the birds are fast, faster than the toddler, and so to be honest, it is hit and miss. I would do better with a tripod, but that would mean being ready. Instead I rest my body and arm against the couch, as I am shooting through the front window. They are not perfect, but they make my heart sing.

opening Doors and Windows

The holiday season brings with it joy and memory making, along with some pain. I allow myself to feel all the emotions, without apology. I think about closed doors and windows and how I am making a cautious effort to open some of them a crack, knowing it all might backfire.

But also aware time is ticking.

“The years go by, we find our doors and windows. Some are always open, some never were.”

― Naomi Shihab Nye, Transfer

the First snow

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning...They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play."

- Fred Rogers

Snow has arrived at the Brio Village. Trucks got stuck, snow was carried off in the back of a dump truck, and haphazard snowman were constructed. All because the dog had finally ripped out all the stuffing to one of his toys and when I picked it up while vacuuming, I dropped it onto the Brio table and walked away.

I watch him play, listening as he talks his way through what is going on, marveling at his imagination and so thankful I have a front row seat to these moments.