well, it is finally over, my wife said it was enough...

So, Winter wonderland white outside the doors waiting upon us, she declared it was time and we packed it in. My mother doesn't give up until my birthday, but she will pack it in, too. Christmas cheer is permitted to remain, just not the decorations, the memories and warmth lingers, but not the blinking lights. I have been given pages from my Grandmother's scrapbook, the ones with the cards and notes. Her sister unfolded one card and filled the inside up with a letter, to include the back of the card - now that has been read more than once. Lots of the birthday, Valentines and wedding anniversary cards my mother signed with my name and made me give to my grandmother - that had to be wonderful - we lived in walking distance, and a trip to her home was always an adventure - the cards were from the years I was still two or three. I have a personal performance of my cousin's talented grandchildren on CD, with private label, and a sweatshirt that proclaims "Librarians The Original Search Engine".

So for all that is best in you, the warmth of love banked in your heart, smile the year through and share the cheer.

What did you get for Christmas? wha'dgetyur wife?

One of the dreaded questions after the holidays? What did you get? What did Santa bring you? What did you get your wife? I say dreaded because I have whole issues with those questions and a real phobia about that portion of this celebration. One of my wife's responsibilities is to keep me civilized to the point of giving appropriate gifts when needed - she does that just fine. Well, I am almost impossible to civilize beyond a certain point, but she fools me into better behavior well.

About the gift I received, as always the sure knowledge that Christmas is about the babe born to bear my burdens - not the mortgage, the car payments, the food on the table and such - the burdens I build by my guilt and sin - which are normally the same, and if - as I often think, being old, that I am not up to my usual sinful worst (youth so foolish) - then I am way up there in the weight of my guilt for all that I was, am now and shudder to think that I could be. I will cherish that gift of a Savior forever.

And what did I get my wife? Well, I drove her to my church for Candlelight service at ten last evening. The church was full of music, Christmas colors, families re-united for the holidays, friends absent to their families far from here, it was warm and bright and we sang and prayed and thought about the light of the world, in a sanctuary full of candles and love. Not too impressed with that gift are you? Well, unless I was driving she hadn't been out of the house for two weeks, she does have women that like to see her at my church (no, I always behave but old men, stag, at the back of the room are as problematical as teenage boys at the back of the room to knowledgeable women). Since driving was my gift, the only one that counts, I drove to her church this morning at ten for their service - in Korean and English - I loved the subtitled Sermon, when the Pastor spoke Korean the English was on the screen above his head, when he was speaking English the Korean words were displayed and everyone could keep up. All the hymns were written in both, and you could sing out from the heart in the language you speak to God with, I always like that. I am amazed at how many Korean words I have lost since the last time I listened and tried using them. Use it or lose it - one day it will all be gone. About six times the number of people from the candlelight service, the Sun being out and perhaps the roads more drivable - although I have been watching people needing a push and help in several places I have driven recently, my Caravan has been fine. Her church is much larger and richer than mine - the Salvation is exactly the same, go figure, it doesn't pay to start too soon (you forgot about that burden of guilt above - start earlier!).

Lots of re-united families at church, and old school friends meet and talk about what college and working in where ever is like, and who is in the service and overseas and where. Both our churches have large old retired military, and youngsters of appropriate age to serve, so they do. If my son weren't so well married I would have been looking harder at the beautiful young ladies, but I will leave that to those who need to play match-making. I did get trapped into a real hug with a young lady last night, she meant well but gosh that disturbed my harmony within the universe of Earl. She never noticed the pistol, but then who would carry a pistol to church? What you don't look for nor identify was never there, basic principle of hiding in plain sight. I know I never look to see what others are walking around with, unless it is in the appropriate place for shooting activities. At church I check out the age of the personal Bible, the translation and the depth of the smile and the warmth of the greeting and conversation as we work in the kitchen or on something, I make coffee and do dishes with one of my friends mostly.

Well, the telephone has started ringing, my son and daughter-in-law sent some gifts which get put to use immediately, although the one I really want to wear to the range come warmer times, it is almost a wanna-be shirt, but then I was never associated with that group and I am already much too proud a paratrooper for my head to fit most of my head coverings. A matching coffee mug, so cool, so cool. For any that worry I was armed in church - it was probably my Leatherman Wave or my Canon digital camera - for those that think everyone carries, should carry and numbers me among the chosen few that do - nothing happened that would have needed more than gloves and a snow shovel these last few weeks so figure all that bulky stuff in my clothing is the weight I have been piling on with festive eating. There are still cookies waiting the visitors that can make it up the frozen hillside to our home, y'all welcome to have a few and save me a little more burden of guilt.

It's time to get up and make the doughnuts...

The alarm wakes me from a sound sleep and dreams where you were there. A dusting of an inch of snow waits to cushion the fall upon the icy driveway or not, but it sure is pretty, the tree sparkles so I open the blinds for the world to see, but only the cat's paw prints tracked the snow outside, the world will wait for my first coffee.

Y'all have a very Merry Christmas! Earl

A Soldier's Christmas Eve
Sharing Gifts at Christmas

It's official, Snow has closed the Office of Secretary of State

Notice in the email at work and one forwarded to my personal email, the weather has finally worn us out and we are going to bet on the side of safety in this area. Good call, safety should always be a factor in decision making.

So I am going to clean the snow off this morning, check the survivability of driving locally (may not go very far, but the piled snow needs off the car). And then decide the branch is closed if it isn't closed by my Program Manager or Principal Librarian before me.

Personal goals today, to inventory Christmas preparations - seems like that is supposed to happen this week and except for my wife's minor decorating efforts (table in dining room, table in kitchen) and the Christmas cards posted on the bookcase, one Santa Duck and one traditional Candy Cane on the fireplace mantel - I have been avoiding making the trip to bring out the memories from everywhere so long ago - that is what happens when I start putting the decorations up - years of other places, peoples and times when I was so young and the future so bright. If the Sun gets above the mountain it might be brighter here too - about eight this morning.

Well, ladies and lasses, were you there?

On Christmas morning my mother would always insist that we read the story of the first Christmas from Luke, 2 vs 1 to 20. So I was on to the shepherds being told of the birth and coming to tell Mary and Joseph, I also read enough that in Matthew 2 that there were wise men (Magi) from the East that came to find the promised baby born to be King of the Jews. So we have the story of the news of the birth going to the most common of folk, shepherds and the most special, almost rocket scientists - well, for the time of the Romans anyway. That is pretty much it, but then you weren't there were you? Seems a pretty empty land, town of Bethlehem, Kingdom of Judea and Romans roaming around but only shepherds, angels (in chorus) and three wise men from the East, Mary and Joseph.

What is wrong with this picture? it is on most religious Christmas cards, the children's Christmas pageant has more sheep and animals than humans - doesn't it? But there are hints, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Now that sounds just right, a young girl going to have her first baby visits a cousin that will soon have her own - women do talk, they do go find out about stuff - not like a man never asking always pretending to know. It couldn't have been possible that you were written out of the story? You could have been traveling to Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary - just going in that direction (David had lots of wives and lots of decedents, twenty-eight generations worth!). Ever see women ignore another woman carrying a child? They always ask how she feels, about when she would be due to have the baby, where she is going, does she need anything? There were women, children and men going along that would have talked to Joseph and Mary, given sound advice and assistance as needed. Joseph didn't need any, he was a guy - and he would find Bethlehem soon enough without asking directions.

Well, this crowd gets to the little very important town, and find places to rest up - some would still be sleeping on the ground. Mary and Joseph get shelter - she is going to have a child, and other women are called in to assist in the birth -- that got written right out of history. Now, I know that women can have children all by themselves, it isn't easy but can happen. But even in a small town those that do understand hospitality (and that is a real sign of civilization) would be sure the local wise women and midwife would know and be attentive. There are rules about birth in the Bible, most misunderstood by men since it isn't really where they get to shine. So people the picture of the new mother, Mary, surrounded by women caring for her and encouraging her, bringing the swaddling clothes, cleaning mother and child, informing Joseph the boy was born as he heard the birth cry.

You can tell that the disciples were men, the writers of the Gospels were men, the leaders of the church that chose the stories to repeat, were men. For they put in the important parts of God and Man, and forgot the women - mostly - Jesus never did, from his mother to all the women that he taught and traveled with - they were always there. I suggest that we put them back into his birth scene again - or just remember that because women really care, they would always be there. They have always peopled my personal Christmas's, even if only in my mind and heart while we were apart.

Season's Greeting from those that serve the least...

Willie's Wednesday

I finished up in the library, left it ready to open on Friday, most of my work will be waiting on my return Monday. I am going off to learn, to study, to challenge myself and perhaps to shoot. Big storm coming in this weekend - a real tree toppler, power outages and terror. But I am off to do what I have to do. As I do, and y'all fix the financial crisis with the Congress and the coming Car Czar (why do we pick up Russian Imperialism? Weren't they overcome by Communists?). Anyway, the important story that I leave you with - isn't written by me but is so real to those that have been, Tale of Two Wars, from the Sandbox, of course. Take care out there, someone loves ya.

1960 School Office Window

Whisper's Of Christmas by Melba Dungey

There are whisper's of Christmas in the air,
making the month, holiday fair,
plans and surprises make a great pair
while yummy food is made to share.

Christmas cards modern or old fashioned rare,
bring to each a willing  heart 's flare...
All people seem to  take special care
to plan and get what they'll wear.

Thinking about just  where
they will go to share
the holiday, just so fair,
in the loved Christmas air .

The presents, open with care,
and exclaim with joy at what you get there...
The Christmas tree glitters on my new chair,
The telephone rings so as to share,

all those joys  that are so rare,
for we must all happily share,
all the love we have there
for all family and friends who care,
in this wonderful Christmas time air!

Just thinking

Three weeks of three days at McNeil Island Library, all Monday Tuesday and Wednesday - then I go off the island for: two days of Thanksgiving, two days of Institutional Library Services conference and training, and two days of Instructor Boot Camp (for training Riflemen). That will drive me half-way through December and almost into January and I will have not met my goals for that year when I look back from sixty-one wondering where it went this time.

I could go back and read all my posts and figure out if I did anything, thought anything or made the world a little better. Or I can just feel I did; remembering a smile teased from someone, some quiet evenings finished with some wine and cheese, the morning jog with the dogs and the heart walkers, the walks to the dock getting my mind ready for the work day, the great rides on the Trusty Triumph and the general awesome beauty of the world, women and wonders when I open my eyes and really look. But then, how much time does one have to look back and reflect.

That was about enough, and I have exercises and jog to do, breakfast gruel with banana this morning, take the vitamins, go face the day, books to order, books to weed, reports to prepare and information to find and as the things I haven't anticipated are suddenly in my work flow keep it all moving so it doesn't get jammed up, piled up and pushed aside. I should learn to tango, since all my choir rehearsals have produced a little appreciation for the notes I should be hitting and the way melody and harmony might actually be something I will understand in a few more decades. Do I have that long?

I have made a decision, about Christmas giving this year - I, William Earl Dungey, being of sound mind and such have decided that I have too much and it has gotten in my way and I will be giving much of it away to the Food Bank, Goodwill Industries and other places where it can do more good during the coming year. And because I think something special should come from all my financial blessings I am making a cash contribution to Project Valour-IT. I know you are all going to be busy, trying to get the Economy running right again, and tying up the year with ribbons and lights, and bringing joy to children and young excited folks - I will try to make sure my family, relatives and friends are represented in a small gift for those that we have sent far away to risk and lose so much - they gave so much and can't be ignored by the promise of a Holiday Season and the New Year - they deserve to be the center of it. Make sure there is room at your table, in your heart and your life - for all those that need a touch, a hug, some of your talent and time, just a quick smile and a hot mug of cheer with the music of life. Go gently and do good stuff, we will be better for it.

Holiday Blues in Limbo...

There is a Ceramic Green Christmas Tree in the Library, it is quiet, one of the only programs open, since much of the staff has departed for the holiday celebration nearer to home. I have been in similar places, far from home and warm Season's Greetings. In the forgotten areas of warfare, in the prisons, on exercises in the deserts and the snows or lush jungles, in a bunker or a guard tower - the Limbo of waiting for the magic moment to pass by, that piece of time when parents once loved you, grandmothers fussed over you and fed you the best cookies, when your siblings and cousins gathered to test the sleds on the snows and throw snow balls and make snowmen, that magic isn't here but it is inside everyone's tormented soul as we wait for the time it should have rung in JOY! to pass. We go on living and waiting for the return to normal, knowing that our family can't call, email, or even visit where we wait... for the minutes stretch and the sleep doesn't come and there is no peace in Limbo. We hope you have it, Peace on Earth, where we came from and hope to return one day.