Tuesday, December 27, 2005

An Island Christmas

Matthew and I arrived about forty minutes late in Raleigh...but to a welcoming crowd! Philip had driven from Ocracoke to pick me up and Sherrie and David (Matthew's Grandparents from Atlanta) had come to pick him up. We exchanged greetings, picked up our luggage and all took to the road in different directions.

We had a non-stop trip as we wanted to get back before dark and before the pot luck (which was held at Philip's) was over. As always with traveling, I am amazed at the geographical changes. I left freezing temperatures with inches of snow on the ground and not a leaf in sight and arrived to blue skies of about 55 degrees, dry roads and the scent of pines.

When we arrived home to Miss Aliph's, there were no parking spaces left so we parked down by the shop and came a'callin (we actually knocked on the door!) The house was full of friends and relatives...what a nice home coming.

After the pot luck everyone scrambled into jackets and scarves and walked down the dark, clam filled street to the Methodist Church for the Christmas Eve service. There were, of course, wise men and shepherds and Mary and Joseph....there also was every person on the island in attendance. The service ended with candlelight and wishing each other Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day started with brunch at our house for family....the opening of gifts which took several hours. Most of it revolved around Philip's Grandchild, Lachlan. Dinner was later in the afternoon at Julie and Gary's.

The post Christmas activites are dinners at friend's homes each evening...games of cards, jigsaw puzzles and Werewolf...the pouring of conversation and wine.

The weather is crisp and sunny and fresh and clean.

It is nice to spend this week with Philip...to read and relax..sit by the fire...drink eggnog...and be appreciative for all life's blessings.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice...the first day of winter...the beginning of the longer days to weave ourselves back to summer days.

I have been celebrating the Solstice for years, often in the company of myself. I have been known to chant around old Oak trees surrounded by drifts of snow...or building small bonfires (sometimes in the grill!) and tossing in eulogies of my past.

A few years ago I celebrated Solstice on an airplane. I told my seatmate at the exact moment of Solstice. He had never met anyone who celebrated it before. He reached into his wallet and pulled out a $100 dollar bill and handed it to me. I was, of course, reluctant to take it. He said to just consider it a gift. When I arrived home, I stuffed it in one of my favorite books.

Last Solstice Philip was here so we celebrated with sparklers out on the front stoop...then had cookies and cocoa.

Tonight I will be with my book club...but tucked into my briefcase are a couple packages of sparklers. Hopefully I will get a few takers!

Here is one of my favorite Solstice greetings. Tonight after dark, go outside, circle around a special tree in the yard and recite it!

"Root to root,
Seed to seed,
May all that we have,
Be all that we need."

Happy Solstice.

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Monday, December 19, 2005

One degree...

Arriving home late from a Christmas Party, I drove around the circle. I often do that...especially at Christmas enjoying the Christmas lights, checking to see how many folks are at Rachael's Coffee Shop...were there enough folks to show the movies at the two small theatres...or check the temperature. Actually I think I was sorry for the temperature check...it was one degree.

One degree. I drove around the circle, came home to my driveway and fumbled for my housekey (before getting out of the car.) As I was unlocking the back door, I couldn't help but notice the icicles..some more than three feet long..smooth, sharp, pointy, clear, twisted. I just stood and watched (for a very short time).
There is something magical about icicles. I remember breaking them off and licking them as a kid. I like to tell a story about a great, great Uncle who was killed by an icicle on his way out to the barn to do the milking (I think I made that one up)!

But no matter what the stories, three foot long icicles on a porch roof means One Degree. Now where did I put that electric blanket????


Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Living in a snow globe...

Dear Friends in Angola (or of Angola),

You just gotta love it....cold and more cold. Snow and more cold.

The Farmer's Almanac predicted a heavy snow year. I will believe them the rest of my life.

We are already a half of what the entire winter should be...so keep the snow shovels by the back door (mine is) and the salt handy.

I spent some of my snow in days reading the old clasic, A Raisin in the Sun and The Historian. At least our Carnegie Library has stayed open. If you haven't been to the new library, then you are definitely missing out. It is beautiful, fully stocked with just about any book (or periodical) that you might want and a courteous staff to visit with.

Aaron and I took the boys on a field trip there on Friday. It was Jonah's first visit...he definitely was a celebrity and even picked out his own book. In fact he wasn't going home without it!!


Tonight is a Christmas dinner at a neighbor's house...I have books for the girls wrapped and ready, a freshly made cole slaw and a bottle of red wine for the dinner conversation.

So, let's toast the beginning of winter.

Lou Ann

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Monday, December 12, 2005

Artist District

My small corner of the world is home to artists. All kinds. Painters, graphic artists, cartoonists, storytellers and others inhabit the streets where I live.

We have decided to call ourselves The Second Sunday Artists and get together once a month. When? The Second Sunday of each month, of course.

We meet at my house and discuss our work and marketing strategies as well as consume large amounts of brownies and hot chocolate. (Yesterday was cut out sugar cookies!)

Anyone who has an interest in becoming an artist is welcome, of course. You will get lots of good ideas, make goals for yourself, and network with folks from my small town. Oh, and the cookies are great as well!



Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com.

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Friday, December 09, 2005

Winter in a Small Town...

Late into the afternoon the snow began to fall in my small northern town...the warnings had been issued, and this tiime the forecasters were correct. By dusk the snow was whirling and swirling around all lampposts and street lights. We could not stop looking as the beauty was so great.

Our neighbor, Lee, called to bring supper over so we scurried around in the kitchen to add a hot cornbread, open several bottles of wine and light the candles.

It was a wonderful way to spend a snowing evening with good conversation, great food and no where to go.

By morning we were treated to eight and a half inches of snow. Philip shoveled while I baked bread.

It is stunningly beautiful.

Lou Ann

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

News from a Small Town...

You know you are in a small town when the lead story on the local radio station is the rescue of a dog off of a frozen pond.

We are all, however, glad to hear the tidings of great joy. The dog was tired, but safe.

And that's the news from the frozen tundra of the Midwest on this Tuesday afternoon.

Lou Ann

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...