A Good Day

Nyssa: Christmas 1989. (Click pictures for larger views)

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together." ~ Alexander Smith (Scottish Poet and Essayist, 1830-1867)

Guess who I spent part of my day with? Yes, the one and only daughter, Nyssa. Her exams start tomorrow so she was due a small break. Christmas break is less than a week away. The weather was clear but cold so I loaded my digital camera, got some coffee and took off for the hour drive.

Today, sipping hot cider.

We parked the MOM van at Market Square and walked right up the street, past Barnes & Noble and into Colonial Williamsburg. It was REALLY cold; not so bad on the hands as they could go in pockets, but our ears and noses were a different story. Yes, we didn't have any hats. We walked down to the Governor's Mansion, past Bruton's Parish. There were tourists, always tourists, but not as many as seen during the summer. The colonists were there, working; leading tours, tending the horses, driving the carriages, serving food in the taverns, and walking hand in hand with a modern girl in jeans and a sweatshirt. Wait a minute! What? It's true. There they were, a colonial gentleman in his long stockings and knickers, handmade leather shoes, heavy wool cape and three-cornered hat, holding hands with a '90's girl in jeans; juxtaposition of the past with the present.

A quiet ride into the past.

We found the hot cider stand and it was wonderful, warm, sweet, hit the spot. This go around we didn't go in the buildings, just meandered down the streets, looking at the marvelous decorations. These are all natural; the garlands, wreaths and sprays; made with items found in nature. Pomegranate, lemons, oranges, apples, wheat, peanuts, garlic cloves, dried chili peppers, bean pods, poppy pods, cotton, sticks of cinnamon, wooden branches with lichen, boxwood, evergreens, holly, sea shells and numerous other items used to decorate the homes and shops. And I have pictures. Below is just a peek at one.


The natural decorations, beautiful.

Today was a day of making memories. Of walking in the cold December air along the sidewalks of the past. Of sipping hot apple cider that warmed the inner spirit. Of the rapture in seeing true creative powers at work in the Christmas decorations of yesteryear, when there was no plastic, no synthetic, no styrofoam and all the decorations were made with the things of nature. Of being with the one person I love more than life. It was a good day, Nyssa.
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