Zen Ghosts, actually.  Shamefully, we just found it while finally putting away the Christmas ornaments, but now while reading, I’ve knocked it onto the floor while juggling a tiny one, and wiggly Treva, and Horus trying to fit our chair by the fire.

Did you notice the red chair?  I haven’t made too much a deal about it here, because it *is* kind of gross, and still emits some gnarly dust puffs when someone flops down onto it ungracefully.  Lee was right, sort of.  But I also kind of love it, and it has become the centre of our reading-focused days, of late.  We have artfully draped various furs over its holes, so it really is a cozy place to curl up.

The temperature has dipped dramatically, and as pathetic as this is, I have just not been able to leave the house in the past 24 hours…despite the gorgeous sun!  This is a first in a while, let me tell you.  It’s just…[too cold, and] I am feeling so thankful for a store of firewood, and warm sweaters.

Darling could you pick up the book please?  I ask Treva again.

Felix has been so snuffly and cuddly and needy and also curious and grasping and asking and tasting and proclaiming.   I love all of this, all the time, I do.

Treva bends to pick up the book.  She turns, holding it in her palm, haughtily.

This, She says, Is a Christmas Pudding.

Oh!  I say.  I adore Christmas pudding!  Please pass it over to me, I would love to have a bite.

No Mum, Treva says with a sly grin.  I want you to READ the Christmas pudding.

Of course.  What on earth was I thinking?

We are still recovering from Christmas.  Earlier today the kids and I stripped the tree and carefully wrapped each ornament in paper and placed it in the box.  We put all of the Christmas cards from family and friends in the 2012 envelope.  I continue with this rather silly 30 habits project…  Self-help, self-development=such a weird industry/instinct/conundrum.  An interesting juxtaposition between snake oil hokum and eternal truths…While I feel increasingly drawn to be of service somehow, and increasingly oriented towards the spiritual in a quiet and very personal way, I am particularly interested in the very simple, concrete strategies that seem to lead to thriving.  Getting enough sleep, and then waking up early.   Day 4.