Out goes 2017

 “The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.” 
― G.K. Chesterton

 “The New Year is a painting not yet painted

 a path not yet stepped on

 a wing not yet taken off! 

 Things haven’t happened as yet! 

 Before the clock strikes twelve

 remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!” 
― Mehmet Murat ildan

 “It isn't only a new year, it is a new chance for everyone to restart.” ― Mohammed Sekouty

 “A lot can be changed in a span of a year

 one year is enough to prove to yourself that you are worth the struggle that you undertake just to reap a momentary fruit of that labour.

 Here is wishing every fighter, struggling to make a break and succeed in life a memorable New Year. 

 Do what you do best and don't trade your passion for fame but rather earn the fame through your passion. 

 A Happy New Year to all my well wishers, peers, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and readers. 

 May your year be blessed with good fortune and health 

 in a world full of possibilities never limit yourself to the sky

 for what is sky when there is endless darkness beyond to lighten up"― Adhish Mazumder

 

 Photographs 2017  Quote Excerpts from "Goodreads"

CAT PLANT's CHRISTMAS

"Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.” 

― Mary Oliver

 CAT PLANT'S CHRISTMAS starring Spencer, the  "Scientia Cattus"

 It was Christmas Day. Snow had fallen. Cat Plant was not overly fond of snow. 

 His brother Smokey had always been the one who loved the snow. 

 Christmas Day dawned cold and white. The mountains shivered. Spencer poofed out his sunshiny fur.

 Smokey was nowhere to be seen. Spencer wondered where he was.Their Trail was still there. Spencer padded along by his lonesome.

 He sat on the gate. He would visit. He liked to schmooze.

Spencer wondered when the sun would return. His paws were cold.

 The mountains rumbled and bumbled with the promise of more snow. 

 Spencer froze on the gate.  He saw a furry shape looming over him.

A black cat hovered at the window. It did not move. It was asleep.

 Spencer clawed at the gate. He felt very fierce.

 He decided to sit on the bench. By the bag of dirt.  Planter mix. For the Cat Plant.

 His ears were cold.   He didn't see any flying snacks. He was partial to  flying snacks.

 There would be no plants till spring, thought Spencer. No flower pot to sit in  today.

 His golden paws left prints in the snow. He danced and danced. 

 Spencer was content to sit on the bench and purr. He was having a very nice visit.

 The mountain loomed. More snow threatened. A white white Christmas.

 Spencer sat in his brother's old spot.  Under the eaves. By the window. It was dry.

 He looked out on Christmas Day. A white symphony.

 Then he looked back at me. Thru that window. Our eyes locked. We had both seen it. At the same time.......

The ghost of Smokey. Just like last Christmas Day. Ambling through  the snow. Leaving tracks.

The Cat Plant stood alone.  Looking in the window. Enjoying his own Christmas Day. 

 Spencer moved to the other bench. Near the house. So he could watch .

Watch the ghost of his brother romping by the seed pans. His tail twitching. Happy. Ecstatic. It was Christmas after all . And Spencer felt his paws warm, and his heart sing. 

1. "I heard the bells on Christmas day.Their old familiar carols play;
   In music sweet the tones repeat,there’s peace on earth, good will to men.”
2.                    -Henry W. Longfellow

Smokey

Photographs 2017

Merry Christmas....

"This is the wonder of Christmas, that in the solitary form of an impoverished infant God has handed me everything that I could never create so that I can be everything that I could never be." 

- Craig D. Lounsbrough

Bo

 THE ANIMALS' CHRISTMAS EVE by Gale Wiersum and Jim Robison
 ( 1977) One of my favourite Christmas books for children....the copy I have was a gift. The corners are a tad chewed up but the pages are still wonderful.

Smokey

 In the barn on Christmas Eve, after all the people leave, the animals, in voices low, remember Christmas long ago...

 One small hen, upon her nest, softly clucks to all the rest: "Little chicks, come, gather near. A wondrous story you will hear."

 Two white doves, on rafters high, coo a quiet lullaby;"Long ago in manger hay the little baby Jesus lay....."

 "Three wise men from far away came to visit him  one day, for He was born, "the doves recall, "to be the greatest KING  of all."

 Four brown horses in their stalls, snug within the stable walls, tell of His birth: "Twas long foretold by chosen ones in days of old....."

Smokey in past years

 Five grey donkeys speak with pride, remembering one who gave a ride...

Bunny

 "Our brother donkey went with them from Nazareth to Bethlehem...."

Cordelia

 Six spotted calves  now nibble hay like that on which the baby lay....

 "They put him in a manger bed so he could rest his sleepy head."

 "Where there is no hope, there is Christmas.And where there is no Christmas, there is no hope." -C.D. Lounsbrough

 Seven goats, all black and white, describe the sky that holy night:
"A star appeared at early morn, to mark the place where He was born."

Smokey's paw prints

 Eight nestling kittens lick their fur. They nod their heads and softly purr:
"And He was wrapped in swaddling clothes to keep him warm from head to toes."

 Nine woolly sheep, down from the hill, On Christmas Eve remember still:

 "Shepherds heard the angels sing praises to the newborn KING."

 "The worst defeat of all is to surrender without having been defeated. And it is Christmas that obliterates both." 
                               - C.D. Lounsbrough

 Ten soft lambs say Jesus' name: "He was the Lamb of God who came. He was the greatest gift of love, sent from His Father, God, above."

 Eleven puppies listen well in hopes that they, in turn, can tell .....

 The Christmas story another year for all the animals to hear....

Spencer

 Twelve chimes ring out from far away. The lovely bells of Christmas Day. And every beast bows low its head for ONE small babe in a manger bed.

 "The Light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer and goodwill of friends to you. The joy of a thousand angels to you. The love of the Son and God's peace to you." -Sheryyl Woods

Photographs 2017
Excerpts from "The Animals' Christmas Eve 1977 A Golden Book/New York/Western Publishing Co." (Written by Gale Wiersum and illustrated by Jim Robison)

Poe/Puma

A Merry Christmas from Us 4 to all of you!