The days between Christmas and the new year are suspended in amber; a week of feeling in limbo — at least for me.
The frenzy leading up to Christmas that started at Halloween and progressed to Thanksgiving and finally to December 25 is a mess of cooking and baking and cleaning — and now it’s over, along with the twenty-four hour Christmas music on the radio.
It’s so so quiet outside, like a day during the pandemic.
It’s a great time to shop the after holiday sales, but I have enough wrapping paper and Christmas cards and decorations to last until the next century, so I’m not all that excited about the 75% off prices…although I DO love a bargain.
But — we’re not quite done because the end of the year is only a few days away and that occasion is supposed to be memorialized by some sort of celebration, whether you choose to go to a ball or a party or stay home by the fire with a glass of champagne and try to stay awake until midnight.
And then it’s over — but not until the idiots shoot guns in the air and set off more fireworks that scare all the animals.
I’m not sure I’d call this feeling a full fledged depression, but there’s a term that describes it pretty well… Post Holiday Blues. It sounds like it should be the title of a song, right? PHB refers to the letdown we might feel after all the excitement and anticipation leading up to the holidays.
I hope Santa brought you everything you asked for and enjoy this week in limbo, waiting for 2025.
It’s a perfect time for some Leon Russell trivia…
Record producer Phil Spector spent several sessions recording a collection of songs with his Wrecking Crew for a Christmas album. One of the greatest moments during those sessions was when “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” was recorded by Darlene Love.
Leon Russell was one of three piano players and Darlene said that Leon got into the song so much “he played a like a man possessed; it was almost like a concerto. He played himself right off the bench and onto the floor and kept playing.” Leon was about twenty years old at the time.
At the same recording session, Cher did some background vocals and Sonny Bono was on percussion!
Enjoy these holiday songs from the one and only Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell…
It might not be your usual Christmas music, but they’re SO VERY Leon.
For you Grateful Dead fans (not me), this was recorded with Jerry Garcia at the Armadillo World Headquarters November 1972.
Leon Russell’s music is now at the home of George Harrison’s Dark Horse Records. Here’s “The First Noel” from Leon Russell Hymns Of Christmas:
Surf is forecasted to be more than eight feet today, but this is what I saw early this morning.
I hope you can access this video because that’s where I was lucky enough to capture the jumping dolphins!
Surfers having fun!
Those Enchanted places
We go to
And, whether they be real
Or whether
They be made up places
That we go to
Only we shall know
Only we shall go
A little poem by Athey Thompson
Art by Marieke Nelissen for Jacquie Lawson via Pinterest
What is the most valuable thing you ever found at Goodwill?
I THINK I just discovered a real hidden treasure, like something you’d see on Antiques Roadshow!
I often stop at the Goodwill located right next door to TJ Maxx. I hadn’t been there in a while, but yesterday morning it didn’t look too crowded so I decided to check it out.
I’m always on the lookout for cute little boxes or animal figurines. I didn’t see anything like that, but a very unusual vase caught my eye. I looked and looked at it, and I knew I didn’t NEED a vase, but the shape and colors were unique and I brought it home for $3.99.
Always curious, I researched the maker’s name on the bottom…Finland Arabia. There’s a lot of information online and I learned that Arabia was a Finnish ceramics company, founded in 1873 by Rörstrand. The specific type of mark on the bottom of my vase indicated it was made between 1900-1917.
It’s in absolutely pristine condition. I couldn’t find this exact triangle kind of design (which might mean it’s super rare) but similar pieces recently sold for hundreds of dollars!
Who would toss out this turn-of-the-century beauty with the stylized floral motif?
I probably won’t ever sell it, but I’m grateful to have rescued her (for $3..99!!!!) and she’ll have pride of place in my display case.
If anyone knows anything about this piece, please tell me!
“Stay wild, moon child. I will shine my full silver light on your path, Moon child. Trust your intuition and follow your dreams. When I go dark, go within and tend to yourself, set your goals and release what no longer serves. When I come out of the shadow Moon child, go, be brave, and to yourself stay wild and true.” Attributed to Riitta Klint
What’s unique about this moon is where it rises and sets — at the “most northerly and southerly positions on the horizon.” It’s a phenomenon that only occurs every 18.6 years. capecodtimes.com
This is called a major lunar standstill.
It’s mindblowing to think that my older Canon can capture this kind of detail, especially considering the moon is 239,000 miles away.
Low in the sky, not sure what caused the moon to be rust-colored, but it was gorgeous…
Fully risen; it was GLOWING:
Do you love to look up at the sky as much as I do?
Opacarophile is the term to describe one who loves sunsets. It’s derived from the Latin word opacare (dusk or sunset) and the Greek word phile (love)
SoCal has amazing December sunsets with breathtaking hues of pink and coral and blue-gray.
About ten minutes later, the colors deepened to glowing oranges, bold fuchsias, and salmon.
Lots of people were out walking but I seemed to be the only one looking up and taking photos of the sky so I proudly confess to being an opacarophile.
This is a lucky day to manifest our hopes and dreams. The 12/12 portal of conscious awareness is one of the most potent energetic alignments of the year—a cosmic gateway carrying the frequency of divine alignment, spiritual awakening, and ascension.
Number ONE symbolizes individuality, leadership, ambition, and new beginnings. Reflects masculine energy: action, drive, and assertiveness.
Number TWO represents duality, partnership, cooperation, and intuition. Reflects feminine energy: nurturing, sensitivity, and balance.
Together as 1212, these numbers symbolize the harmonization of these opposing but complementary forces. Repeated, the sequence amplifies the need for equilibrium in all aspects of life — within ourselves, our relationships, and the collective consciousness.
The energy of the 1212 Portal doesn’t immediately dissipate — it can serve as a catalyst for shifts leading to the full moon on December 15 and the Winter Solstice on December 21. (Don’t forget we’re still under the influence of Mercury Retrograde until December 15, too!)
A full moon, retrograde, a solstice, and the 12/12 portal — that’s a LOT of potent planetary energy that’s happening at the same time. Take care of yourselves!
Here are some things we can do to access this dynamic 12/12 energy:
Set Intentions
Take time to reflect on what you want to create or release in your life. Write your intentions down or say them aloud—there’s power in putting your desires into words.
Meditate or Visualize
Quiet your mind and imagine stepping through a symbolic portal. What does your ideal life look and feel like? Visualizing it can help make it more tangible.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude raises your vibration and aligns you with abundance. Reflect on what you’re thankful for and notice how it shifts your perspective.
Engage in Ritual
Light a candle, take a salt bath, or do something meaningful to mark the occasion. Rituals help anchor your intentions in the physical world.
Stay Open
Pay attention to synchronicities, dreams, or sudden insights around this time. Trust that these moments are guiding you toward clarity and growth.
Curated from Google and alteredhealing.com
“Once in a lifetime across your lifeline crosses an energy like no other. This is Leon Russell to me.”
Gary Busey, musician, actor, long-time friend of the Master of Space and Time.
It’s a sunny and warm November day here in SoCal, a perfect time to sit outside on the deck and read Leon Russell In His Own Words.
It’s not a huge book but any light shed on the mysterious, charismatic, and enigmatic MOSAT is appreciated.
It features memories by and about LR from his childhood, high school bands, session work in Los Angeles, and some of his tours.
I’m always amazed at the sheer numbers of records that benefited from Leon’s words, arrangements, and productions. He was a legendary musician, composer, and performer whose musical influence can’t be overstated.
Leon Russell was a one-of-a-kind human; I don’t think we’re likely to experience that kind of genius in several lifetimes.
This little book was enjoyable and informative; I totally recommend!
Now I’m waiting for my Christmas/Hanukkah gift: another book about Leon Russell ; this one is written by Bill Janovitz: Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History
Some people simply defy stereotypes:
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 