Christmas Moon, festive baking and remembering those we love

While strolling I wondered whatever happened to Lawanda Bentley.

Happy birthday to Charles Turner, Thomas Hoering, Ginny Hahn, Randy Horrell, Christa Spies, David Pepple, Marilyn Mott, Eastin Harrell, Charles Parker, Richie Seyer, Mike Horman, Doni Jo Dysinger, Mike Mantel, June Asmus, James Rodgers, Darla Chapman, Tracy Whitaker, Sara Atkins, Callie Perry, Steven Reams, Rebecca Crippen, Mike Eby, Cathy Imhoff and David Kirchdoefer.

Happy anniversary to Gary and Sheila Gilmer.

The full moon we are enjoying this Christmas week is called the Christmas Moon, Cold Moon, Snow Moon and, by the American Indians, the Twelfth Moon.

The leaves have dropped in most states, but we are enjoying beautiful fall foliage in Texas for a change. The arborists attribute it to the spring and fall rains, the recent cool nights and warm days. We recently mentioned that the majority of trees in Europe turn yellow in the fall. Although mentioned on a network morning show, no reason was given. We have asked a few naturalists and hope to get an explanation.

Pinwheel practice

The outdoor decorations are up, the trees are all aglow with their bright lights and the stockings are hung with care. It looks and sounds like Christmas, and the wonderful aromas of holiday baking are drifting through our homes. I am attempting the date pinwheel cookies for the second time that my mother used to make. She made it look so easy as she sliced the perfect rolls. My first try last year resulted in some lumpy rolls. I am hoping, with practice and a bit of patience, I'll have a prettier result this time. The dates await.

Colorful memories

Some of us continue looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for the special people in our lives. We still have few more days!

Adult coloring books are popular gifts now. When I was taking care of my mother at home, one of our favorite activities was coloring. She had taken up painting and ceramics many years before and was quite the artist. I ended up ordering individual sheets of flowers and bird designs that she would like. While sitting at her favorite perch in the dining room, she would choose a picture and begin coloring with the markers. I always sat with her, and sometimes we took turns coloring.

I liked to watch her as she thoughtfully selected the colors, colored a while, then paused to look out the big windows at the birds splashing in the birdbath, then returned to her masterpiece. Masterpieces they were and are now. I had her sign and date each finished piece, and on those occasions when she said her right hand was not "working right," I would place my hand over hers, guiding it as she signed. When my sisters visited, they often colored one while she watched and commented. I love looking at my mother's collection of artwork and thinking about those precious times we had together, memories that I'll always cherish.

Remembering Santa

Last week we asked if you remember the first time you saw Santa Claus. Those of us who attended First Baptist Church with our parents saw Santa for the first time at Christmas programs. Paul Varble did a great job making his tummy shake like a bowl of jelly as he would "ho, ho, ho" down the church aisle to the delight and awe of the little ones. There was also the Christmas program at the high school that the Oscar Bukstein family so generously sponsored. Santa always made his appearance after the showing of the black and white Christmas movie. We also got a paper sack of fruit and candy. Other sightings of the jolly man were at parades, but one that was of particular interest was at a little cabin in a park near downtown Cape. Let us know if you remember Santa's cabin that gave kids such joy in the 1950s when they saw the cabin all aglow, anticipating a glimpse of Santa Claus.

Thoughts and wishes

Remember to tell those special people in your life that you love them -- those three words mean so very much.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas.

We are especially thinking of those of you who are missing loved ones this holiday season. Our thoughts and prayers are also with our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes and those undergoing cancer treatments.

Please email your news and comments to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then...

Then there was the magical beauty of Christmas.