Autumn was ending and winter beginning when I took this picture of snow and slush. Endings/beginnings have always fascinated me and this one was obvious.
I had intended to be in California for celebration of the coming of the Winter Solstice with my family. However, the storm changed all that. Instead of leaving on Sunday (flight canceled) for a party on Monday, I left early Wednesday morning. Did the changes jiggle my synapses a bit? Did they help me reflect on some assumptions I've acquired? Indeed, they did.
After some initial disappointment, I embraced my circumstance and opted to begin my "vacation" here. An extraordinary day at the American Museum of Natural History was one of the highlights. Two lovely dinners with friends was another, one of these the night of the solstice.
For the Winter Solstice, my family cover the table with candles. In celebration of the return of the sun and the gradual lengthening of daylight, they create a mini bonfire. The practice began years ago when my sister made candles with the children. Having made them, they wanted to use them. This observance was the result.
Family and the celebration of rebirth were on my mind as I assembled these curvy candles for a dinner ordered in at a friend's house. The candles seemed apropos for scrambled plans that turned out beautifully.
Another of the take-aways of this experience: I discovered I like having my suitcase packed and ready well in advance of leave taking.
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