 ©Catskill Mountains Frost ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 It's expected to conform with the norm these days and wish EVERYONE the usual HAPPY ~ HEALTHY ~ PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR ! . . . and that's all wonderful . . . EXCEPT absolutely NONE of those things can exist without the deepest human need of ALL ! So, I've decided to wish the world to be permeated through and through with PEACE
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 Whatever you choose to believe concerning the story of Mary and Joseph, travelling ninety miles in the ancient world, from Nazareth , along the Jordan River, up and down through the Judean Dessert and thick Forest, to the tiny town of a hundred residents of Bethlehem, for the Census, during the winter months, had to be a very long and difficult journey. The average person can walk about 20 miles per day. It is said Mary was somewhere between the age of 12 to 14, certainly close to nine months into her first pregnancy and Joseph was said to be a great deal older.  Travelers would have had to carry water in skin pouches and food . . . most likely bread, maybe some oil and herbs. It would've been wise to tote something for shelter in case of bad weather. Winters in that area experience 30 degree temps and loads of rain. The path taken was unpaved and there were Lion, Bear, Wild Boar, Thieves and Crazies they had to be prepared for. The journey surely took people like Mary and Joseph a week to ten days to complete. Ancient Bethlehem was known to only have one primitive Inn. It's widely agreed that the only shelter Jesus could've been born in was a nearby cave used to house animals. A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO ALL ! I am responsible for the digital framing of these images, and regret not being able to give credit to the Artists who painted them despite lengthy online searches. I thought they were beautiful. If this is your work, please contact me. THANK YOU WHOEVER YOU ARE !  1. THINK ABOUT YOURSELF CONSTANTLY. 2. USE " I " AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. 3. MIRROR YOURSELF CONTINUALLY BY THE OPINION OF OTHER PEOPLE. 4. LISTEN, GREEDILY, TO WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU AND IF IT'S NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR, GET ANGRY ! 5. EXPECT TO BE APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE. 6. BE SUSPICIOUS. 7. BE JEALOUS AND ENVIOUS. 8. BE SENSITIVE AND EASILY OFFENDED. 9. NEVER FORGIVE A CRITICISM. 10. TRUST NOBODY BUT YOURSELF. 11. INSIST UPON CONSIDERATION & RESPECT AT ALL TIMES. 12. DEMAND AGREEMENT WITH YOUR OWN VIEWS ON EVERYTHING. 13. SULK & FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF IF PEOPLE ARE NOT GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THEM. 14. NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR OTHER PEOPLE. THINK ABOUT IT AT ALL TIMES BUT . . . 15. ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO FOR YOU. 16. SHIRK YOUR DUTY. 17. SEEK , AT ALL TIMES, TO ENTERTAIN YOURSELF. 18. DO AS LITTLE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN FOR OTHER PEOPLE. Joyce Meyer  While most everyone is thinking about apples in Fall, here in the Northeast the ELBERTA PEACHES have just finished their peak. My five year old tree produced better than a hundred pounds even after being pruned hard in late winter.  Elbertas are fabulous eaten fresh. The stones pop right out and their perfume fills the house. Still, they can NEVER EVER compare with a peach grown in Georgia .  I 've Grilled Elberta's, Pied Elbertas, Jammed, Ice Creamed and Baked Elbertas, added Ginger to them and even Chutneyed Elbertas ... no matter what I did to them, their flavor always vanished in the process !  I only know of THREE THINGS to successfully do with Elbertas : 1. Enjoy as many FRESH as you can stand 2. delight your neighbors and friends with bags of them ... and ... 3. make PEACH CORDIAL 
CIN CIN ~ L'CHAIM ~ NA ZDROVIE
SLAINTE ~ SEI GESUND ~ SANTE SALUTE ~ SKOL ~ CHEERS A'KALE MA'LUNA ~ KIPPIS ~ PROSIT  I first met my beautiful friend down in Key West, Florida in 1973. Despite all the rumours and all the stories, some of which are TRUE and some of which are PURE FABRICATION , I would prefer to remember RANDALL LAMAR HOWARD being GENUINELY HAPPY as he was the afternoon I took these pics. THE PICTURES ARE LEFT UNPAINTED AND THE MUSIC UNSUNG AND THE PROBLEMS UNSOLVED SO THAT HUMANS MIGHT UNDERSTAND THAT JOYS AND GLORIES ARE GOD's CREATION. Rest in Peace, my double dear Friend.  THE GADSDEN FLAG The GADSDEN Flag
is NOT, nor EVER has it been a symbol of racism ! NO - NOT EVER ! The GADSDEN FLAG was created in 1775 as a symbol against the tyranny of Britain against our great nation. It was the FIRST flag of our Country. It continues to symbolize A FREE NATION, THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS, AUTONOMY, THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE , EMPHASIZING POLITICAL FREEDOM. LIVE FREE OR DIE If you'd care to know more about THE GADSDEN FLAG CLICK HERE RANDY HOWARD LOVED this Flag, was PROUD of his heritage and DID know what it all stood for. It's TRUE, he didn't ever want to offend the Public. PLEASE be educated and NOT offended !  © Catskill Mountaintop Apple Tree in Spring ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at GOD all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only GOD can make a tree. "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer ~ 1919  © Last Year's Baby ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 The CHEROKEE PEOPLE tell a story about our younger world, when animals and humans communicated freely and easily. There was peace between them until humans invented the bow and arrow and began killing the animals for food and skins. The animal kingdom became very concerned about being wiped out completely and held a meeting. The bears were especially angry and vowed they'd fight back in the same way, but that just wasn't possible. A little deer named AWI USDI had an idea to visit humans as they slept as that was the safest way to get them to understand without risking anyone's life. So, that's what AWI USDI did. He whispered into the Hunters ears as they slept and told them: Whenever you wish to kill one of us you must prepare ceremoniously. You must ask permission to kill one of us. After you kill one of us, you must show respect for our Spirit and ask for our pardon. If you do not do this, then you will be cursed with crippled limbs and you won't be able to shoot your bow and arrow anymore. The Hunters awoke; some remembering the little deer as if it were a dream. Others were certain he had really visited them. Most honoured the request and only hunted when food and clothes were needed, and behaved with respect to their kill. The Hunters who did not were crippled with Rheumatism.  © The Slippery Pig ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 Have you ever met a slippery pig ? I know ... I've met one too ! I even met a girl who said she lived with one. "P" "U" ! Did you ever pet a slippery pig ? It's not the thing to do ! It'll slide and turn and run roughshod, and trample all over you ! It'll tear you apart and break your heart; that slippery pig and his goo . There's nothing good , despite the gleam , of a slippery pig and you !  ©Dripping Icicle Upside Down ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 Last week I posted a
pic of a dripping icicle. I noticed a definite image in the drip, enlarged it and turned it upside down. The result is a fish eye image of my side yard. There's something magical about capturing such a clear image in a simple water drip. It makes me wonder about the way others might see; the way that nature naturally reflects us and how this is all being recorded in a mere drip of water. It is now officially the Year of the WOOD GOAT. That hasn't happened for SIXTY years ! WOOD GOAT years and people are known to be amicable, gentle and compassionate, as well as calm, creative and determined to succeed. Today is also ASH WEDNESDAY which marks the First Day of LENT which also means there are FORTY days until the anniversary of EASTER the day that The Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. It is a day of fasting, if you can, FORTY days of fasting, if you dare; and a time of atonement and acknowledgement of our personal shortcomings; a time of personal cleansing.  © Beaverkill River at Sunset ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 Last night's sunset was another amazing masterpiece by The Creator. Though I had tears in my eyes, I was happy to see it.  © Icicles ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 You see ... I had just left a Nursing Home after visiting an elderly friend suddenly afflicted with heart problems and dementia. I had been surprised to recognize a particular man amongst the patients gathered for dinner. His nurse methodically wiped his chin as he mindlessly chewed the bites she fed him. He stared without seeing. This was the self same man who arrogantly boasted of his great wealth ... not that very long ago. This was the self same man who grossly overcharged me for an item I once had to purchase.  © Dripping Icicle ~ Undine DeFilippo 2015 This was the self same man who sat in the front pew at church and condescendingly nodded at the others who politely addressed him as though he were King. I had long since forgiven this man and also forgotten him; and, suddenly, without warning, there he was again and I couldn't ignore it. A great pity overcame me. I said a silent prayer on his behalf and added all the others to it. The great wealth for which he was admired was of little consequence now. There were no loved ones at his side; just a nurse he was lucky to have. "The rich and poor meet together; The Lord is the maker of them all." Proverbs 22:2 |
 Undine DeFilippo
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