Nothing Beautiful to Report Today, But

Man. I believe I am sapped of all creative energy. This is a good time to be sapped, however, because I just put the last touch on the last gift that I had to make before I leave for Ohio. For the record, Laser Gold "top-quality-made-in-Switzerland" saw blades are complete crap. I broke three in four inches of sawing 24-gauge copper, for crying out loud. Not cool. (I know, you're probably thinking "Huh?" Just humor me and make a mad face, 'kay?)

It's been a good-but-way-too-busy few days. Until today. Today was a not-so-good-and-still-way-too-busy day. Mind if I vent? Well, for privacy's sake I can't do much venting in this public forum, actually, but let's just say my day received a thorough ruining just before I left for work, the kind of ruining that leaves me moody and welling with tears all day, torturing myself with emotionally charged music and talking myself out of calling people just to talk. Sigh. And I was keeping such a stiff upper lip too. It got better when I got home, but now I'm soooo tired. And there are still a house to clean, gifts to wrap, and bags to pack. And eight more hours of work that I get paid to do.

I don't actually have much to say right now. I guess I still just need to talk to someone. Hmmmm. But to talk about what?

Um. Okay, maybe I don't want to talk. Maybe I just want some quiet company. Do you mind if I sit here for a while with you and not talk? Really? Oh, thank you.

Ahh, I needed that. You can go now. Peace.

No. 12

Behold, the most resplendent Christmas hymn of them all.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,

Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

No. 11: More Presumption

Finished this afternoon. The pendant will hang from a silver snake chain.

Nos. 9–10

Um. Is it terribly presumptuous of me to post something I made as part of my Beautiful Thing of the Day series?

(It's a pin. I didn't make the scarf; that was made by some nice lady in India who was paid a fair wage for her work, courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages.) There are many more projects in the works, and several more that are finished. I'll post pictures of those sometime after Friday. ; )

And, for good measure, the snow in my front yard is pretty too. I took a walk in it today—totally out of character for me. And you know what? All those people who like to take walks in the snow are really on to something.

No. 8

"Better is poverty that gathers than wealth that scatters."

—Syriac text of The Story and Wisdom of Ahiqar

No. 7

Oops, I skipped another day yesterday. Sorry!

Well, today's beautiful thing is a beautiful thing that I notice every day. And let me tell you, this beautiful things brings so many tiny tingles of joy into my life, it's ridiculous.

It's my amazing, gorgeous, hilarious, adorable, intelligent, neat-and-tidy, affectionate, amiable, perfect kitty, Calvin Gregory. He's my baby. Here are some more pictures.

Who the heck finds a chartreux cat in a shelter? Me!!!

We did not pose him for that last one, I swear. Yay for my kitty, the cutest, nicest cat in all the universe. Cats rule and dogs drool!

(Btw, I actually have about five essays in mind to write and post when I get a spare minute to myself. But don't hold your breath before Christmas.)

No. 6

I was looking through some old pictures this morning, and I came across this, which I snapped a few months ago.

It was just lying there in my driveway, after a fall rain. It captured my attention so soundly that I ran into the house, got the camera, ran back out, and took about ten photos of it. Isn't surface tension marvelous?

I know, I skipped yesterday. Maybe I'll make up for it. Maybe I won't.