The Calendar Project

"When are you going to do another Calendar?"
"You should do a calendar just of your balloons / fireworks / waterfalls / art cars / Ethics Follies Photos (pick any one topic)

" I liked the last Calendar you did so much that I just kept it up on the wall - but I have been off by a day all year!"

These were the nudges, subtle hints and pleas that ultimately sent me back in to my files to see if I had enough "good" stuff to create another calendar for our family, friends and selected supporters of Lemmings Walk. (I have to admit that  the prospect of sending Miss Andrea forward into the darkness of 2010 with a displacement of  2 days on her calendar was almost a sport worth watching...but I digress.)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

It is Christmas Eve...and we are all in full Elf Watch mode here at Lemming's Walk. Catie and I will be making our rounds today, hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer to a few family and friends. Tomorrow we will rest a little and spend the day together as our Christmas gift to one another before we are joined by Ms. E on Saturday. To many , this season is about receiving...I think we need to also remember that Christmas is all about the giving.

As much as the big box stores would have you believe that you need to get the biggest and best gizmo out there because little Johnny has to have the same thing that all the other little hob goblins in the neighborhood will also have them (what ever happened to Keeping up with the Joneses, anyway?), Catie and I have found that the best gifts we receive...and give on an annual basis are the gifts of  time...or attention...or special knowledge. And for that, we around here at Lemming's Walk are the richer this Holiday Season.

(Please note - there will be presents under the tree around here this Christmas...and Ms. E will see something from the big box stores...The Lemming is not completely daft!!!)

It has been a wonderful year, full of great surprises and opportunities to grow...I hope that you and yours have a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!!

Keep the faith.

HFM

A Shelf Elf for Ms. E

"I need to get a Shelf Elf like my friend Sydney has." said Ms. E. "A Shelf Elf? What is that?" responded her weary father, not realizing the momentous change in his daughter's search for self awareness that was upon him.

She explained..."A Shelf Elf is always there to watch you ...and sometimes you can see them...but you can't speak to them...and every year at Christmas, they can just tell Santa whether you have been naughty or nice...and what would be a good gift for you...and stuff..." And with that, she drifted back to the task of coloring the back of the children's menu at the restaurant where we were eating dinner. She had a satisfied smile on her face, knowing that there was really nothing else that needed to be said.

I smiled.

And I took one of those pictures that every parent does with the camera that is their mind's eye - the eye that will remember everything as it was at this very special moment...forever. You see, this is that moment of sentiency where my child is making the transition from believing in Santa Clause as a singular being to believing in the concept of Christmas as a spirit to be shared amongst all mankind.

At least, that is what I think.

I think that her floating the concept of the Shelf Elf is the first step on her journey to understanding what Francis Church laid out for Virginia O'Hanlon in 1897. There really is a Santa Clause...and he lives and breathes in each and every one of us. The same can be said of Shelf Elves...we all need one...and we all have at least one.

So, fear not my darling Ms. E...you already do have a Shelf Elf...and he is me!!!