Sarah Gibbard Cook
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Simple Gifts

12/21/2020

14 Comments

 
Picture
Our house abounds in windows. Some evenings we wander from room to room counting how many Christmas trees we can see. This photo shows four; the total often reaches ten or twelve. We are easily amused.

Simple pleasures are always a blessing, and even more when fancier pleasures go on furlough. This is not our year for family travel, raucous parties, or sing-along carols at Madison’s Overture Center. Instead, we watch the neighbor’s cat prowl out front. A wild turkey balances on the balcony railing to peck at the feeder out back. Calls of geese overhead break the silence.

To all who read this and all your near and dear, may this be a season of peace, health, love, laughter, and the possibility of joy in simple gifts.
14 Comments
Connie Gill
12/21/2020 07:51:02 am

I love "Count the Christmas tree reflections" activity. The simple pleasures define this holiday season for me as well. Peace and joy, Connie

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Sarah Cook link
12/21/2020 11:20:26 am

Thank you, Connie. I picture your house with dining table dressed for the holiday, surrounded by offspring and feline and canine companions - and, I hope, exactly the right amount of time to call your own. Merry Christmas!

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Dennis Doren
12/21/2020 09:26:47 am

That posting in itself was one of today's simple pleasures. Thanks.

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Sarah Cook link
12/21/2020 11:31:27 am

Thank you, Dennis, and happy holidays to you both. I hope your celebrations this season can include the simple-and-otherwise pleasure of time with grand-babes and grand-tot.

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Michael J McQuestion
12/21/2020 02:05:43 pm

Season's Greetings to you, too, Sarah. Keep those hits coming!

Reply
Sarah Cook link
12/21/2020 02:29:44 pm

Merry Christmas, Mike! Thanks for your good wishes. May the new year be a breath of fresh air for us all!

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Mary Helen
12/21/2020 06:11:42 pm

‘Tis a gift to be simple. A pandemic blessing. Hugs. Be safe. You matter. ❤️

Reply
Sarah Cook link
12/21/2020 08:00:25 pm

Mary Helen, it's another answer to the question you posed a couple of weeks ago about pandemic blessings. The enforced simplicity of this year does bring unexpected gifts, at least for those of us fortunate enough to have avoided dire losses
so far.

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Patricia Applegate
12/21/2020 06:13:23 pm

Lovely, Sarah. Merry Christmas to you and Geoff.

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Sarah Cook link
12/21/2020 07:53:06 pm

Patty, peace and joy to you both. The beauties of the Gulf shore look like the perfect place to find both in this year of quiet retreat.

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Beth Genne
12/22/2020 10:12:03 am

Thank you Sara for this wonderful gift -- I loved your description of winter in your garden, your Christmas trees and also love imagining actually being there with my dear sister and brother-in-law.
Blessings on you both. Beth

Reply
Sarah Cook link
12/23/2020 07:07:32 am

Christmas blessings to you both, dear Beth. We will be with you in spirit this quiet holiday.

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Rebecca Cuningham link
12/22/2020 10:40:53 pm

Count the Christmas trees reflected is very zen indeed! I love to look at the tree and squint so the lights look like a galaxy far away.

Reply
Sarah Cook link
12/23/2020 07:08:50 am

Oh, what fun! I'll have to give that a try, looking at the lights with a squint. Thanks for a new simple holiday pleasure!

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    I'm a historian who writes novels and literary nonfiction. My home base is Madison, Wisconsin. 

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