[Paul_Guraedy]

The time that I spent in Alaska changed my perspective on the holiday season. The thing that I look forward to most is the winter solstice. It means the return of light. The days are getting longer instead of shorter.

It is an important milestone in my annual cycle. I can understand why almost every culture has some form of celebration at this time of the year.

So whether your season is important for Eid al Adha, Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or simply the winter solstice; I wish all of you peace and happiness as you enjoy the festivities of the season.

[Claude]

I agree, an important day when one is way North... My wife and I were visiting England a few years back and visited Stonehenge the day after the winter soltice... Probably just as well we missed it by one day - might have been transported back in time or something if we leaned against the wrong stone at the wrong time... I hear that can ruin one's entire day...

Claude

[toni burghout]

Paul, your post made me smile. All around me people celebrate the holidays in various ways. I have friends of many faiths, yet the Winter Solstice is my perspective on this holiday season.

Take care
Toni

[Paul_Guraedy]

Toni, glad you enjoyed my post. My wife and I once lived in an area totally without diversity. She commented, "It is not as if there is anything to dislike here; but, it's like mashed potatoes, it needs butter and salt to make the dish palatable." Diversity is the spice in the dish of life.

I enjoyed a visit to your web site. I have never tried scrollsaw; but, have admired it and intarsia. You are creating some interesting work and designs.

[BobD]

Toni,
Great to see you over here <GRIN>

Toni's one of my good scrolling friends from the other message board. She's contributed to our scroll sawing magazine--and been a great inspiration to me!

I'm trying to get her to try carving some of her designs...

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

Keep trying Bob some of those designs would make fantastic relief carvings. "Spirit of '32" and "Looking Back" in particular. They look good in scrollsaw; but what a carving they would make!!

[LCorbett]

Thank you, Paul for that post...I also follow a "non-traditional" faith (whatever THAT means), and the Solstices and Equinoxes are important times for me.

My body and spirit seem to naturally follow the rhythms of the seasons. And Winter Solstice is especially significant for me...I love winter, but the shorter days do tend to put me into a hibernation or sorts. So the Winter Solstice reminds me that I'll be "waking" again...ready or not...

As my friends wished me Merry Christmas I thank them (because any good wishes, no matter the faith, are heartfelt and therefore I feel them in MY heart as well). And then I extend my heartfelt wish:

As the days grow longer with promise of rebirth and renewal, may the Mother also Bless and bestow the growing Light and Peace within you...

So, it's a little late, but...what I just said...

[toni burghout]

Big , Bob if I could I would definately carve some of these designs. I recently purchased some tutorials on chip carving and a couple knives.

We will see how it goes.

I have always been interested in relief carving and chip carving...well really all carving. I'll start small and let you know how they go.

Paul, thank you for the kind words regarding our designs. I do very much enjoy the designing and would love to bring them into the carving arena.

Take care
Toni