Nonnie's Observations

A photo a day? Did you view each one each day? Not likely you say? Between pain I've been enduring for a very long time,  and the new year delivering a severe cold to me, I did not keep a promise to myself. The promise I made was to bring myself out of a funk caused partly by pain.   In the past, if I looked for the positive around me and photographed it, my spirits were lifted. Since I'm behind several days,  I've inundated my blog with the photos I took of Indiana's first snow in 2015. Also, I want to wish each and everyone of you a blessed new year.

Last month former TV news reporter Anne Ryder did a presentation at St. Mary Parish of her interview with Mother Teresa.  On the left is the president Terri Masterson  of the Women's Association  and on the right is our pastor Father Dudzinski.

Happy 7th Day of Christmas to you all! It is day 366, the last day of one year of A Photo A Day. Here is a collage of Christmas photos that were taken with my Canon EOS.   Ornaments galore, sparkly, shining on the tree, visual delights! more macros

"Please, may I have a little privacy while I'm in here?" "Am I too high to jump down?"

Shadow of a chair, inviting me to sit there to eat, pray or write. more shadows

Christmas continues in reflections of past days.  It's day number four.  more  reflections In the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas" , the fourth day brings the gift of 4 colly birds , which seems to be common blackbirds. That's not my idea of a wonderful gift. Some have the theory that the song was a secret way for Christians, more specifically Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox, to learn their catechism.  Who knows for sure?  Any way, it is a song that has been around since 1780.  I'd say that the song has lasting value as a Christmas song.  And many do celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas up to Epiphany , the feast of the 3 Kings.   Hmm, I daresay that some people are thinking, "How on earth does one go from reflections on a bank building to the 12 Days of Christmas?"   Reflecting  (:D) on the fourth day of Christmas led me down the proverbial rabbit hole and hopefully you followed me. So, I wish you all a happy 4th day of Christma...

In stores and outside, I was capturing all that I saw of people's ideas of what Christmas looks like. Happy third day of Christmas! video of a neighbor's display near my daughter's home

Happy 2nd day of Christmas to you all! If you live in a snow-laden town in Indiana, please stay off the roads!  Some counties have emergency-only status.  I want you to be here to welcome 2013. blessing of the Nativity The little girl at the right was privileged (and I dare say, thrilled) to carry the infant Jesus to his manger bed. Christmas Vigil Mass, celebrating our Lord's birth with worship and song.

The Bethlehem star guided the Magi to Him,   the Lord of us all. Matthew 2:1-11 New International Version (NIV) The Magi Visit the Messiah 2  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,  during the time of King Herod,  Magi [ a ]  from the east came to Jerusalem 2  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star  when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.   4  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.   5  “In Bethlehem  in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6  “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler      who will shepherd my people I...

Ornaments with "boost" from PicMonkey, for edits. We've waited four weeks and now it's Christmas Eve. What have I pondered during this time? With the help of blogging friends, I feel that I've delved deeper into knowledge of and attitudes toward the Virgin Mary.  I have tried to be more prayerful and less consumed with myself and the fact that I am a widow.  With my chronic depression, it is so easy to blame it for my moodiness and loss of energy.  So with the impending new year, I am pondering my goal for 2013. I am asking for assistance from  Our Blessed Mother.  After all, she had the cumbersome task of raising our Lord.  She surely can help this hapless human.  Right?  Now all I need to do is sharpen my skill at hearing words that one doesn't hear through one's ears.  Maybe it is necessary to plead for that too. Leaving you to enjoy the day, I am... Quoting Clement Clarke Moore: "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good ...

a yard display seen on way back from Christmas concert a gift of blessing from a student's parent who visited Rome  this year's tree seen in my backyard lights at Target storm passing through gift from Granddaughter; bought during her semester at the London Center Light, light, I crave light! No matter from whence it comes, Lord, let there be light!

Lovely Norfolk Pine dressed in vintage ornaments. Come, Lord Jesus, come. more Shadow Shot Sunday 2   I "raised" this adult pine from a mere "stick."

Thursday evening, I rejoiced because I am part of a large extended family that includes a young musician.  Because of him, I was invited to Yorktown Bands Winter Concert.  It was well attended by relatives from siblings to grandparents.  The world is a better place because of the hard work of the music teachers and the students.  Here are some photos from the concert and a few short videos.  

click here for other cool shots! Blue lights reflected, the date of our fam'ly's start, makes this endearing.

Nada fireplace here, for their stockings to be hung. Answer: wall and tape! Since Christmas is near, I didn't want to change my headline photo again.  I finally captured a photo of our church Advent wreath that was not blurry.  Here it is.  Ta da!

Quoting Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol by Dickens, "God bless us every one."

linked to Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos For Sandy Hook Elementary: Precious children, heroic teachers, gone from the Earth,  but not forgotten by those left behind. Our nation, stunned and appalled, uttering, "Not again?" Americans wondering why, no answer comes. Gather together, pray for the souls of the fallen. And ask, "What can we do, Lord, as a nation to better this world?" If words in prayer do not come, perhaps these words from Scripture might help:        2 Corinthians 4:8-9 " We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

On vintage buildings, shadow accents their beauty of architect's plans. This shadow joins others on Shadow Shot Sunday 2  

Child of my heart's love, Prayers for you, I say daily, seeking protection. The hearts of many were broken yesterday in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. A young man's action, originating from a broken mind and spirit, resulted in 20 children being murdered in the grade school.  I know not what drove him to commit such a horrendous act. I know only that those parents, teachers' relatives and our nation are grieving over yet another senseless act. I'm offering my prayers for God's angels to bring strength from our Holy Mother to that community.  

Fun with reflections, seen ev'ry week at James' site, come and enjoy them! really, visit James' Weekend Reflections !