O Holy Night

life_in_maine_stars_over_acadiaWhen growing up in England, I was a choirboy. The carols and music seemed to define the season. For me, the songs and images of the night and divinity were powerful. It was only after I left the city and experience dark, star-filled skies that the metaphor took on a reality.

This is the view Naomi and I had when we stopped near Little Hunters Cove in Acadia Nation Park one evening to eat the dinner we had packed. Click on the image for a larger view.

Holiday Illumination

life_in_maine_xmas_illuminationsillumination (noun)

1. lighting or light.
• (also illuminations) a display of lights on a building or other structure.

2. Physics: synonym for illuminance, the amount of luminous flux per unit area.

3. the art of illuminating a manuscript.
• an illuminated design in a manuscript.

4. clarification.
• spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.

Click on the image for greater illumination.

Happy Thanksgiving to Us . . .

life_in_maine_garden_snow_potThis is not a picture of an ice cream cone, but our garden. From Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning, another snow storm delivered about 10″ of snow—the pot is about 24″ in diameter at the top. Both Naomi and I enjoy the peace a snow-bound forest can have after a storm. Having your snowblower break while clearing your driveway, however, can disrupt that peace. Click on the image for a larger view.

New Years in Japan

japan_nara_daibutsu2New Years in Japan is a special time. Unlike the West, where it is a fun party on the eve of the first, in Japan, the celebration is observed for several days, and rites and traditions can last the month of January. Visiting the local shrine or temple is a major event, known as hatsumode. One of the most visited temples is Todai-ji in Nara, which houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha. The figure is about 15m/50ft in height.