Small stone #2 and #3 for the New Year

I didn't spend much time writing yesterday because of a delightful trip to the coast and an unexpected adventure that took us on a little Whale Watching cruise.  After K and I had finished a a simply wonderful lunch at Gino's in Newport, we were walking up the street and heard over a loud speaker "last call...Our final whale watching excursion for today leaves in 5 minutes."   We looked at each other.  We paused.  We bantered quickly back and forth about whether or not we wanted to...we had just eaten lunch...it was $58...we spend more than that on food at times...We'll do it, we did it!  It was really a fabulous call.  The sun was shining, the sea was calm, we found our whales.  Good time all around.  I can't really explain how much I love being on a boat, on the sea.  It makes me feel small in a very very good way.  So here is my small stone from yesterday and one from today:




January 2, 2014

It doesn't matter if I see a whale or not.  The magic of this moment lies in front of me and behind me.  Above me and below me.  With the Sea and with the Sun.  

January 3, 2014
I light the Frankencinse and play the music one last time.  Packing away Christmas, I gently stroke the beard of the little Santa from the kitchen window.  Such a tiny little bit of color and light and whimsy is one of my most cherished pieces of the holiday.