Recovering from post-election blues and a bout of tendonitis that scuttled last month’s trip to the desert, we sorted through our Christmas decorations and rediscovered our Nacimiento de barro bruñido that had not been displayed in a decade and was up for review. As Larry unwrapped the pieces and placed them in the early morning sun, he experienced a flood of sentimental feelings and memories of a 2-month stay in Cuernavaca,* Mexico, attending a special class on Neurodevelopmental Treatment for cerebral palsy in 1980 when he was an Occupational Therapist. His experience studying and living in a foreign country, knowing only a semester of Spanish endeared him to the children and people of Mexico. Many of his patients were Mexican immigrants. We both agreed the nacimiento continues to be an important part of our family reminding us of peace on earth, good will toward men, women and children, and will continue to have a home with us!
Larry made two holiday decorative panels that can be attached to our corgis’ harnesses in preparation for our attendance at the San Diego Corgi Meetup – Caroling in Balboa Park upon our return from the desert. They double as table displays, as seen below!
We returned to Agua Caliente County Park in the Anza-Borrego Desert, California, last week and enjoyed 5 days of sunny weather and temperatures in the 70s!
Larry brought along his delicious homemade Craisin-date panettone (traditional Italian Christmas bread).*
I brought along Airstream Life, 2016 Winter Issue.
Larry continued on his project of making various corgi costumes, decorative panels, and accessories. On this trip, he drafted, cut out, and sewed Airstream appliqués for panels to be attached to their harnesses…
While I hiked and photographed Moonlight Canyon.
At night, we lit our Holiday Tree of Lights and lantern candles… and will light the candles of freedom!*
And enjoyed the quiet serenity of the desert floor in winter.
Happy Holidays from Bill and Larry, and Mac & Tasha!
Though we’ve grown old, the bell still rings for us as it does for all who truly believe.*
Added feature: Watching Ryen and his corgi Gatsby in Merry Ramen Christmas Feast* helps keep us young at heart!*
*This is a link to a YouTube video.
Beautiful pictures. Makes us long for the desert.
Thanks, Bev and George… we look forward to seeing you again when we return to the desert in the coming new year… and may it be a Happy New Year for all!
What a gloriously uplifting post, Bill. I could feel the holiday spirit throughout your post. I love the nacimiento, and remember many stories of Larry’s time in Mexico. The table display is so festive, and seeing the camper salt and pepper shakers made me smile. The panettone looks heavenly and inspires me to try a gluten free version. I used to enjoy that as a holiday treat in the old days. I enjoy your photos and reading about your wonderful adventures. I’m so happy to see you enjoying the spirit of the season. Happy holidays and wishing you peace, love, and joy in the new year ahead.
Thanks, Beverly! Yes, Larry and I are focusing on positive, uplifting strategies to enhance our health, peace, love, and joy in the new years ahead!
Additionally, I look forward to reading your new book, The Line Between, in the coming new year!
Larry, thanks for sharing your peaceful Christmas traditions. Just reading your blog seemed to lower my holiday-induced sense of anxiety. You guys have it figured out!
P.S. Would you send me your Panettone recipe?
Thanks, Rulon! Yes, lowering our sense of anxiety is also very important to us. One of our new strategies is to operate on Hawaiian or Aloha Time (letting things happen when they’re ready to happen)… See the article, “What Hawaii Can Teach The Rest of America About Living Better.”
This morning, Larry sent you the panettone recipe that he used and adapted from Mario Batali’s recipe… See “Mario Batali: Panettone, The Italian Christmas classic made at home.”
Merry Christmas and peace to you all: Larry, Bill, Mac and Tasha!
Thanks, Rich… (who, while in a Zen state, has been meditating, taking stock, and thinking about something completely different, is now thinking forward to Airstreaming 2017.)!
We are also reassessing what is important and what works well for us as we enter our 70s!
Cheers, Best Wishes, and a Happy New Year of Airstreaming to you and family!
Merry Christmas, and best wishes in 2017, Bill and Larry, and Mac & Tasha! Thank you for sharing the hope and lovely photos.
Thanks, Arlene… and yes, it is very important to share the hope with family and friends for a better future and to reach out to one another, which helps us to develop the courage to become stronger in a new year undoubtedly filled with uncertainties.
John W. Whitehead lists at least 10 strategies on “How to Beat the Post-Election Blues and Recapture the True Spirit of Christmas,” and concludes by saying:
“As Dickens reminds us, it’s never too late to make things right in the world and try to be better people and, most importantly of all, pay your blessings forward.
Whether you do it as the Grinch did by reaching out to people with whom you don’t see eye to eye and building bridges of friendship, or as Scrooge did, by repenting of his greed, selfishness and bah humbuggery and looking out for those in need, the point, my friends, is to do it now before it’s too late, not just at Christmastime, but always.”