New Year's Resolution

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."

William Henry Channing

Making a Difference

Amid the horror of the aftermath of the tsunami in Asia, it's so easy to feel overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness about what can be done. I've made a donation to the Canadian Red Cross and to other humanitarian organizations that I am confident will use the money wisely. However, in the face of what will be such an enormous cost, I wondered how my relatively few dollars could possibly make a difference. Then I remembered this poem, some variation of which you may have heard. It puts things in perspective. If I can help just one...

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Latest update from Environment Canada..

Heavy snowfall warning for
Saint John and county continued

This is a warning that heavy snow is expected in these regions.
Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.


An intense low pressure centre south of Nova Scotia this morning will pass to the east of Cape Breton Island this evening and move into Newfoundland tonight. The storm will give snowfall amounts between 20 and 30 centimetres. Very strong northerly winds will give whiteout conditions. The highest amounts of snow and the strongest winds is expected from the Acadian Peninsula to the Moncton area. The strong winds combined with cold temperatures will give wind chill of minus 35 to northern New Brunswick.

Coastal flooding due to a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres is expected this evening along the northeast shore of New Brunswick. The surge is the result of a high tide along with strong northerly winds driving rough surf over the coastal section of these regions.

Looks like Winter is here. As I look out my window, the snow is blowing horizontally, and winds are gusting to 93km/h (over 50 mph). Oh, and the wind chill is about -30C. That's about -15F. Brr.

Let's see, trip to Arizona planned in April... that's 3 months... I don't know if I can make it.....

Greetings

I just wanted to wish a very, VERY Merry Christmas to all you folks, and a Happy New Year.

Feeling like tracking the big guy in the red suit? Check out this site! Make it quick though, he's already a long ways around the planet!! (The site requires Realplayer to watch the updates, but I know some of you have that installed!!)

Also, make sure to have a happy Boxing Day!! I did a little research on the origins of this mysterious day and found this. So, basically, the common theory is that it was the day after Christmas that people of higher station gave gifts or supplies to their servants or lower classes. No return gifts were expected or desired, since that would put them on an equal footing, and of course we couldn't have that.

One interesting side note is that Dec. 26th is considered St. Stephen's day, and this is the day referred to in "Good King Wesceslas" when he heads out on the "Feast of Stephen" to give goods to the poor man.

Anyway, have a happy holiday!

The Christmas Spirit

When I read this story, for some reason it made me think of this, and how much different they were. I guess I was thinking that during this season of "Peace on Earth" that, whether globally or individually, we have the ability to choose whether we will love our fellow Man, or just well, try to run them off the road..

It's a matter of deciding to do one or the other. It's a reminder to me that I know that only I have to ability to decide how I am going to react to something. No one can "make" me mad. They can be jerks, yes, but they can't really force me to do anything. It's difficult, but for my own peace of mind, I try to choose to not be upset.

Rebellious Parents

Any comments on this interesting story?

For all you wannbe Canuckians down there....