Tis' the season

In preparation for my Zoom Christmas Eve dinner with my family I am lighting some candles and have some flowers for the table. I looked at these roses that have been on my table for probably a month. I find them beautiful still. I don't have the heart to toss them. Like most trees and plants in my part of the world they will be dormant for the winter. They will reguvenate themselves and shed new life in the spring. I wonder if trees read books. That's my plan this winter. I have a pile of must reads. I get inspiration from books and music. Here's some thoughts from two of my favs- Jan Arden musician/author and David Sedaris- Author. Both of these people are extremely funny and profound. Jan mentions in her book her priorities in life- Health, Friends, Career- IN THAT ORDER. David Sedaris has us imagine a symbolic stove top with 4 burners. The four burners are family, friends, health and career. You can't have all four burners on high at the same time. He asks a very financially successful friend which burners did she off. She turned off family and health. How many of us turn off health first? I know I did! So now as I approach 3 score and 10 health to me is #1. Put on your own mask first as the Airline attendent tells you. You can't help your love ones if you don't look after yourself first. I can't do a lot of what I used to be able to do. I used to carry two boxes of clay up the stairs. Now even one feels heavy. I can't work in the studio 16 hours a day. I can't party late and work a good day following. I can't eat a lot of the crap I used to- donuts, KFC, McPukes and Domino's pizza. So now exercise and healthy eating are prioities as I approach my sunset years. I figure God willing and the creek don't rise I have another 10 years to travel and enjoy this beautiful planet so I had better be fit to do it. I don't want to fly over it. I want to walk it, ride it, paddle it, and in order to do that I have to be up to it. Family traditions in 2020 for my family have taken a bath. We are however strong in our love and our support of one another. One year soon my family will be together again and our love will be even stronger. All my love to you and your families on this Christmas Eve.