In the Hammock . . .

I want to sleep
Swat the flies
Softly, please.

- Masaoka Shiki

There is Far Too Little of This in the World

{Photo Source}

Let's Take a Walk . . . Calm, Peaciful, Serene . . . Take a Deep Breath . . . There, Now Don't You Feel Better?

Here's to the Possibilities this Christmas Eve!

During Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of 1914,
British and German troops stationed along the Western Front, held an unofficial "Christmas Truce". In "No Man's Land" they exchanged gifts and pleasantries, as they drank and sang carols together. A soccer match even broke out.

Although the Christmas of 1914,
  itself, is now a distant memory, and might seem an impossiblity in today's world where cultural differences seem insurmountable, it remains a symbol of hope to those who believe in our shared humanity, its resilience and ability for to unify and heal.

Read the whole story:

 here, here, here, or here.

What Does it Rally Mean?

"There has always been a lot of misconception and disinformation about it."

The real power of the sign, its supporters say, is the reaction that it provokes - both from fans and from detractors.

Read the whole story

- from the BBC.

AND I JUST MADE COOKIES FOR CHRISTMAS

Muslims turned up in droves

for the Coptic Christmas mass Thursday night,

offering their bodies, and lives,

as “shields” to Egypt’s threatened Christian community.

Read the story here.

"On this Coptic Christmas eve,

the solidarity 

was not just one of religion,

but 

of a desperate and collective plea

for a better life 

and a government with accountability."

Peace

by Gerard Manley Hopkins


When will you ever, Peace, wild wooddove, shy wings shut,
Your round me roaming end, and under be my boughs?
When, when, Peace, will you, Peace? I'll not play hypocrite
To own my heart: I yield you do come sometimes; but
That piecemeal peace is poor peace. What pure peace allows
Alarms of wars, the daunting wars, the death of it?

O surely, reaving Peace, my Lord should leave in lieu
Some good! And so he does leave Patience exquisite,
That plumes to Peace thereafter. And when Peace here does house
He comes with work to do, he does not come to coo,
He comes to brood and sit.