Citrus Christmas Magic

A woman ought to carry herself as an orange tree would if it could walk up and down the garden,

swinging perfume from every little censer it holds up to the air.

Harry Ward Beecher

My California friends are amazed and amused at my love of photographing citrus this time of year. There are two reasons. The first comes from getting citrus at Christmas when I was a child. It was a treat because with 5 children and the cost, fresh oranges in Michigan was not a common thing. The second is that after years of seeing barren trees with the only green things being pines in December to see a tree with ripening fruit is amazing to my four season senses.

Citrus ripens close to Christmas here in California, so to me it seems like a magic, mystical thing and I don't think I will ever lose that sense of it being that way. This year it seems even more special with every thing going on. However for all of that, I'm happy that for the first time in several years, I'll be home in Michigan with Mom and probably be having a "white Christmas".

Diana Krall, "White Christmas":

Poinsettia Forest

And onwards, as bells off San Salvador Salute the crocus lustres of the stars, In these poinsettia meadows of her tides.

Hart Crane

About a half hour from where I live there is a poinsettia farm. A friend went there today to pick up some holiday gifts and invited me along. It was fantastitical. All of these greenhouses packed with a huge variety and size of poinsettias. They had hot cider brewing and cookies available.

It wasn't the going to the going pick out the Christmas tree adventure of my youth, but it made a fun adult version. Not to mention it was 65 degrees today so it was very California. They were kind enough to let me take some photos.

Even with all that is going on, I am working to keep the holiday spirit going.

Loreena McKennitt, "Emmanuel":

In the Mist

Sob, heavy world Sob as you spin, Mantled in mist Remote from the happy.

W.H. Auden

Today the news came that the physician at the hospice house felt my Mom's cancer was probably spread to her bones and there wasn't a good deal more time. So family is gathering for the journey. We are taking turns coming to her as there are several of us who want to spend time with her, but don't want to tire her out. I will go in about 10 days. They feel she will probably make the Christmas holiday because she wants that, but then things will probably change rapidly.

My mom seems to have found her peace. And I have found mine even in the midst of the grief. We walk different spiritual paths and hers is one of Christianity. So tonight I dedicate a piece from Handel's Messiah to her that her faith will take her through the next weeks....

Handel, "The Messiah, I Know My Redeemer Liveth":