Last Day of 2020

 

We went to Gembrook Retreat to join others on a 'meditative and contemplative' walk to four places on the ground. Our first station was Maggie's Garden where we focused on Gratitude. The picture above shows that part of the property. Our second station was the Quaker peace garden where we honoured our pain in what ever form that took. At our third station, the Indigenous garden, we were invited to see with new/ancient eyes. At the last station, around the fire, we contemplated going forth into 2021 and beyond. These stations originated from the book "Active Hope" by Joanna Macy, with a focus on how to offer our gift of active hope into a troubled and broken world. In going forth, we take steps to be actively involved in the 'Great Turning'. What's our first step? What is our intent?

Moon rising that evening

Double Christmas Zoom

We haven't done this before but since we have had so much practice doing it during times of movement restriction this year this was relatively easy to arrange. The platform Zoom seemed to be in on the Christmas spirit because we did not have a 40 minute cut off but allowed us to keep on going. That was nice. What a motley family bunch we all make! Some windows showed whole families, others at work and grand children and grand nephews popping in and out. For most of the time we all just looked at each other with the occasional bit of structure of nearly an announcement. It did not matter of course because just to see everyone was a gift indeed. And smiling. The 'gathering' came from Manitoba, Alberta, Canada, and Brisbane people including regional Queensland, a few from Sydney, and three different family spots from Melbourne. 

This event flowed into a second Zoom with our direct family in Manitoba. It was truly wonderful to chat with our loved ones there. This succeeded in enriching the Christmas season for us. And there were no internet glitches. We might have been on at a time when Zoom was not overloaded, but whatever the reason we are grateful to God for these family connected blessings. 

 

Christmas Memories 2020

 

It is nice to keep a running record of Christmas each year. Similar to the previous year, we celebrated in a back yard, especially with the weather a perfect 20 degrees C. This time it was at our place and the grapefruit and apple trees served as shade cover. The garden arch made the perfect doorway to enter into the celebration space. It wasn't all outside though with desert and presents experienced within. 

Christmas Wishes for 2020

 

Wood Craft Online

Peter has worked toward creating a woodcraft experience for children that is somewhat online except for having to go out and purchase the materials and physically make the puzzle pieces. So is it really online? People are able to leave their homes and purchase the things they need from the shopping centres. The wooden cubes and the glue are easy to obtain from the variety shops that are quite prevalent. That part is not online. The instructions are. The results can be shared online. Children need some physical activity away from online gaming and this project offers physical "hands on" time creating the seven puzzle pieces which then leads into a new activity of figuring out the puzzle. It can even become an economical gift for someone. That's two activities in one and can be shared by a number of family members during these quarantine shut down days. Enjoy.

Piper 16

Our wonderful granddaughter is now sixteen and we had the privilege of having her around. Her celebrations were extensive and our part was a small section only but with precious memories.

Family Christening

We had the pleasure of attending Ashton’s christening at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Lalor. It grew into a great family celebration with official photographs by the score to the same degree as at a wedding. Afterward most of us continued the celebration at a Thai restaurant. Ashton managed all the hyper-stimulation amazingly well and did his parents proud. Every blessing to the little boy.

Family Christmas

This year our Christmas celebration was played out at Simon's. It proved to be a great venue. There was a park through the back gate but we didn't need it on the day. The back yard and its furniture was completely sufficient for what we needed. We were all able to seriously chill out. Everybody received gifts including Purge. The younger one was the more chance of a gift. No surprise there. Peter mad a movie out of all these snaps which you can view here.