Drs Oz and Roizen wrote a book years ago called; You, the Owner’s Manual, about aging and health. Three takeaways that stuck with me are; balance on each leg for one minute a day, climb stairs, and sit on the floor every chance you get. I practice all three of these everyday and I’ve added a sit/stand exercise for thirty seconds everyday.

A recent study demonstrated that an excellent predictor of your overall mortality depends on how easily you can get up from a seated position without arm support. Floor sitting lowers your likelihood of injury by falling, lowers the rate of arthritis, and disease.

Since when did sitting and getting up off the ground become a marker of health and longevity? The chair, according to University of California Berkeley Professor Galen Cranz in her 2013 book, is a fairly recent invention that has shaped our modern behavior. Two thirds of the world population still opts out of using chairs, which may be why populations like the Chinese experience 80-90% less hip arthritis than Westerners. Prolonged chair sitting can make your hips tight and stiff. When you sit on the floor, you can easily stretch your hip flexors. As you actively stretch your hips, your joint mobility will improve as you age.

Floor sitting engages muscles in the core and back that are not used while sitting in a chair. If you sit on the floor, you can’t really slouch. By sitting up straight, you naturally engage your core. Over time, this makes your abdominal and lower back muscles much stronger. Sitting on the floor can also stretch certain muscles, which can increase your range of motion and flexibility.

Sitting on the floor in a cross/legged position also helps with digestion. Some experts recommend eating meals while sitting on the floor. This position helps us focus on our food, make better food choices, and makes us feel fuller faster. Floor sitting contracts the muscles in the abdomen, the vagus nerve – the nerve that transmits signals from the stomach to the brain – informs your brain that you are full, thereby preventing overeating. This position makes us eat slower than we would while sitting at a table. In Ayurveda, it is believed that floor sitting promotes mindfulness, which helps us concentrate on every aspect of our food which makes our food more enjoyable.

Sitting on the floor with your legs crisscrossed allows for better blood circulation throughout your body. Floor sitting often invites a sense of grounding and alertness. Being close to the ground can help you feel more connected to your environment and promote a sense of calm.

When compared to sitting in a chair, sitting on the floor gets more of your body parts moving for more minutes. The act of getting up and down from the floor challenges your bones to maintain their density.

Your ultimate goal is to work up to sitting on the floor at least thirty cumulative minutes a day, everyday. If five minutes feels like all you can do, there’s your starting point. The “upshot” of floor sitting is being able to rise with ease, you’ll be less likely to have a debilitating fall. The ability to easily sit and rise reflects your well-being. If you can move in all the ways that allow you to get up and down with little or no support, then your body is stable, supple, and efficient.

Turns out those Kindergarten teachers who made us sit “crisscross applesauce” were onto something.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

I’ve been ordering seeds this month. January is my garden planning month where I check last year’s garden journal and decide what to plant this year. I was frankly shocked at how easy cucumbers were to grow in my partially shaded backyard. On a whim, I just threw a packet of seeds in with the pumpkins. I’m so happy thinking about being in my little garden.

I recently read how important it is for humans to have a connection with the soil, dirt. Its benefits go way beyond growing food to eat or getting exercise. There are bacteria in the soil (specifically: Mycobacterium vaccae) that work similarly to antidepressants. While many antidepressants are selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (they slow the rate at which your brain loses serotonin), Mycobacterium vaccae increases the rate at which you produce serotonin. Gardening helps you feel happier, more relaxed, while also feeling more energized.

In addition to increasing serotonin levels, researchers have since found lipids in Mycobacterium vaccae that bind to the receptors in immune cells and prevent inflammation from occurring. The discovery of this lipid has researchers further studying how this bacteria can help fight stress levels in soldiers and first responders, along with reducing inflammatory diseases.

Another study showed that children raised in rural environments which contain animals and bacteria-laden dust grow up to have more stress resilient immune systems and may be at lower risk of mental illness than those who grow up in cities.

You don’t have to be digging in the soil to ingest M. vaccae. Walking in the woods or simply playing outside is enough to inhale it. The next time you feel anxious, a little digging or a walk down a nature path may be enough to calm you down and improve your mood.

Every year I brew a hot cup of tea and spend an afternoon with my seed catalogs. I’ve learned that the planning matters as much as the planting. Flipping through the pages of heirloom flowers and veggies is a lovely antidote to the gray winter weather. I love that the descriptions in the catalogs speak to me as much as the professional gardeners. The engaging, encouraging format makes me feel that I’m as much a part of the gardening community as anyone else.

Printed seed catalogs date to about the middle of the eighteenth century. In 1786, Peter Bellet, florist, advertised in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser that he had an extensive variety of the most rare bulbs and seeds. Long before and after that, most people got seeds by harvesting and saving them in envelopes, cloth sacks, bottles, and jars. You didn’t need to buy seeds for what you could grow; you needed to set aside seeds for the next year or swap with a neighbor.

In 1900, nearly two in five Americans lived on farms and three in five lived in the country. Most people knew how to grow things. In the nineteen-twenties, hybrid seeds were developed beginning with two varieties of corn. Hybrid seeds adapt better to stress, they produce plants with larger fruit, and are disease resistant. The drought resistant qualities of hybrid seeds after the dust bowl of 1936 led farmers to hasten their use. Hybrid seeds grow well but you can’t save the seeds and plant them next year, because they don’t grow well, may not even sprout.

In the twenty-twenties, when there are too few birds and butterflies, seed catalogs sell heirlooms (seeds) with a promise to save the planet: protecting biodiversity. Pollinator gardens are becoming the most popular to plant, to support wildlife. Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend.

At the height of winter, ordering seeds and planning a garden offers the promise of spring. I know that there is plenty of beauty amid the bleak January days, inspiration is just a catalog away.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

The winter magic of snowy weather never seems to wear off. There’s something about opening your curtains to see the world outside dusted in white, your street transformed into a scene from a Christmas card, that can make even the most cynical of hearts soar. Since snow is only around for a short period of time, we might feel compelled to enjoy the moment and become more mindful as a result. When we spend more time in nature, we feel greater vitality and better physical health. This helps boost our sense of mental and emotional wellbeing.

Winter, with its dark mornings and long nights, isn’t known for its mood boosting properties. The colder months are often associated with seasonal affective disorder, a mental health condition that can leave you feeling low and lethargic. Seasonal affective disorder may be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during these shorter days. Psychologists suggest that snow is beneficial to our mental wellness.

After the excitement of the Christmas season, it’s completely normal to feel a little down this time of year, some call it the “January Blues.” Experts say that the lower levels of sunlight have a negative impact on our internal body clock. Less exposure to sunlight leads to diminishing levels of serotonin, which is an important factor in increasing or decreasing feelings of depression. Not getting enough sunlight and Vitamin D, has been shown to decrease our happiness, making us feel “down in the dumps.” A snowy environment can help you feel more alive. NYU researchers found that even twenty minutes spent outside in the snow can make us feel more energized, more positive, and improve our mental health. Snowy ground reflects 95% of all light according to a study done at Stockholm University. Brighter light is linked to a better mood.

I know that I’m happier and feel better after spending time outside, all year round. I took a teaching position last fall and have spent less time outside lately so I really look forward to the afternoons that I spend walking my dog. I was excited about having a “snow day” even though I really love teaching kindergarten. Early Friday morning, I was greeted by the most gorgeous snow scene. I felt an overwhelming quiet as I stepped outside to feed my chickens. I lingered outside most of the morning, filling bird feeders, shoveling, and sweeping the snow. I checked on my perennial garden beds blanketed with snow. I took pictures of my rosemary bushes adorned with tiny detailed Pom poms of snow. The stems of my Black Eyed Susan’s outlined in relief against the bright shining snow.

I dragged my fourteen year old French Bulldog on a walk, she was known to once run circles in our snowy yard, but in her old age she prefers her cozy bed by the fire. Coming home to a new book and a hot cup of tea were my reward for a morning spent in the snow.

A bright blanket of snow is a beautiful sight and highlights the colors and gifts of nature.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

Martin Luther held a prominent role in my confirmation classes in the Episcopal Church. It was a year of Saturdays learning the history of the Protestant church. Martin Luther was ordained into the priesthood in 1507, he rejected several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, sparking Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther believed that the Holy Bible is the central source of religious authority and should be made accessible to everyone.

A mere monk, Martin Luther took a stand against the Emperor Charles V, making it clear that he feared God’s judgment more than the powerful leaders of that time. It was Rome’s inflexibility that drove Luther to bolder and bolder public positions, eventually putting him beyond rapprochement and setting him on a path that will forever be debated as heretical or as glorious. Luther was the harbinger of a new world in which any ordinary individual had the freedom of thinking for himself.

After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1934, Martin Luther King Jr.’s father attended an international conference of Baptist pastors. While in Germany, this pastor from Georgia whose name was Michael King, became so impressed with what he learned about the reformer, Martin Luther, he decided to change his name. He changed his five year old son’s name as well.

Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek came to speak at my college when I was a freshman. He showed some of the special effects such as the two men pulling the doors open whenever anyone entered “the bridge.” Shots of the USS Enterprise were of tiny models hung with fish line. The transporter in which crew members were “beamed up” from ship to planet was a three fold process. First the person or persons were filmed standing in position. Then they stepped out of the frame while the camera caught an empty set . A glittering “beam’ effect (aluminum powder) was shot separately, dropping the powder from above with an intensive light in the background. The original film of the crew members was then combined with the shot of the glittering powder, and the effect was achieved with optical printing and film cameras.

Star Trek was created in the 1960s, becoming iconic in the mid 1970’s in re-runs. Groups would converge on the University of Wyoming Student Union television at 4:00 every weekday afternoon to watch another installment of the show. I was part of the group of Star Trek’s cult followers, called “Trekkies”. We knew every episode by heart, most of the dialogue, too.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a huge Star Trek fan, particularly of Nichelle Nichols, better know as Lt. Nyota Uhura. While meeting at an NAACP awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, Dr. King told Ms. Nichols, “You don’t have a black role. You have an equal role and for the first time on television we will be seen every day, as intelligent, quality, beautiful people … who can go into space.”Star Trek was one of the only shows that Dr. King would allow his children to watch.

Star Trek is noted for its cultural influence beyond works of science fiction. The franchise is also notable for its progressive civil rights stances. The original series included one of the first multiracial casts in U.S. television. Lt. Uhura, which comes from the Swahili word, “uhuru’ meaning freedom is depicted as a capable bridge officer. Uhura was one of the first black characters to be portrayed in a non-menial role on an American television series.

Dr. King fought against injustice, promoted peace, and non-violence, and stood up for the things he believed in. Through it all, more than fifty years after his death, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to make an impact on people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. He showed the people of America that we can fight battles without violence, but instead with compassion, love, and kindness.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

There’s a good chance that you are thinking of ways to live healthier in the new year. The new year is a great time to make healthy lifestyle changes and give up bad habits to improve your well being. The most popular New Year’s resolutions include getting more exercise, losing weight, and eating a healthier diet.

No matter who you turn to for health and nutrition advice, nearly all experts can agree on the importance of eating enough vegetables on a regular basis. However, data from the USDA shows only ten percent of Americans are meeting the dietary guidelines recommendation of three servings a day. That means most of us are likely missing out on our daily fiber, vitamin, and mineral needs as well.

Many of us fall short on getting our 2 1/2 – 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit a day, the amount recommended by US dietary guidelines. Experts at Well and Good magazine advise consuming six cups of veggies a day, having at least one serving at each meal and snack when possible.

Vegetarian meals focus on fruits and vegetables, dried beans, whole grains, seeds, and nuts. According to the NIH, only two percent of the American adult population follows this type of diet. People have many reasons for becoming vegetarians, most to eat healthier foods. NIH-funded research states that eating a plant based diet can boost your health whether you’re vegetarian or not. Vegetarians tend to miss out on major health problems that plague many Americans. They are most likely to avoid heart related illnesses and generally live longer than most. The fact is, eating more vegetables will boost your health whether you are vegetarian or not.

From cutting down your grocery bills to serving up some serious health benefits, the pros of a plant based lifestyle are vast. Not only are plants great for your health, they do wonders for the earth too. Following a vegetarian diet may be the single best way for us to create a greener and more sustainable earth. Eating more plants helps to reduce famine, according to the Journal of Soil and Water. One acre of land could produce 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots or just 250 pounds of beef.

A sudden shift towards vegetarian eating can be difficult so many individuals choose to ditch animal products a few days a week. Making one meal a day completely plant based is another great option.

My path to a vegetarian diet began years ago while living in California and Hawaii. Fresh vegetables and fruit were so plentiful that it was impossible not to have the majority of my diet be plant based. I was a part of a group of athletes that were very interested in eating healthy foods to maintain stamina and strength. I did continue to eat the beautiful fish of the Pacific Ocean such as Opakapaka, Wahoo, Ahi, and Mahi Mahi. My husband suggested following a vegan diet six years ago, he is committed but I continue to eat cheese, eggs (from our backyard chickens), and butter. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything by not eating meat, mushrooms and beans make the best burgers.

To build a healthy and balanced diet, aim for color and variety. A healthy diet is a diet that maintains and improves overall health.

Making resolutions is perhaps the most popular New Year’s tradition but it might be easier to stick with setting a few goals for this coming New Year. Setting a resolution is all about trying to force a change, setting a goal is all about making something happen. Identify and examine what went right and what was challenging in 2023. Ask yourself what you want to bring with you in 2024.

Create a vision statement or word for 2024. Picture your life one year from now and envision how you want to feel. Experts recommend that you clarify the core values and priorities in your life. You could try writing a personal mission statement to solidify the connection between your values and your goals.

Goals are specific, measurable, and often involve a strategic plan with actionable steps. Setting big goals can be overwhelming and intimidating. Therefore, it’s best to start with smaller goals that are achievable. For instance, if your goal is to run a marathon in 2024, you should break it down into smaller milestones. You can begin by running one mile daily and gradually increasing the distance over time.

Organizing your goals into categories such as career, health, personal development, and hobbies allows you to prioritize and focus on what’s most important to you. Categorizing ensures a balanced approach to your aspirations.

My 2024 goals are heavily weighted on the personal development, hobbies, and health categories. Building on my 2023 goals, I plan to continue to read two books a month and walk outside everyday. Mastering the art of baking croissants from scratch, and spending Sunday afternoons listening to an opera with my husband while knitting are new goals for 2024. I hope to relax more and multi-task less. I will continue to track my progress in my journal/calendar.

The Harvard Business School suggests that you set yourself up for success by focusing on one goal at a time in each area of your life. There are five essential guidelines for success in achieving your 2024 goals. 1. Be specific, what do you want to achieve? 2. Make goals measurable. 3. Give goals a time limit, you need a finish line. 4. Make the goal something that you’re passionate about. 5. Put it in writing.

Setting goals is like building a roadmap for the next twelve months. It gives us a chance to consider where we are currently, what we want, and how to get there. Goal setting requires structure, and using the start of a new year to reflect on progress and set new goals is great for this.

As we enter 2024, the stars are aligning in ways that will uniquely impact each zodiac sign, according to Leteo Wang, astrologer. Wang suggests that planetary movements and other celestial changes such as Mercury Retrograde or certain Full Moons can influence your goal setting in this new year. Wang recommends seeking advice from your zodiac sign before setting goals for 2024 as it is an exciting astrological time. It’s a good time to expect positive changes and be open to new opportunities.

Happy New Year!

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

December 22,1972 was the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There were nine days remaining until the end of the year. It was a Friday. My older brother and I were in the elevator, having just left our Dad’s bedside in the Intensive Care Unit. Our fellow passengers in the elevator were whispering about my Dad and how he had just died. In disbelief, my brother and I looked at each other, how could this news possibly be true. We went back to the ICU waiting room and found a few family friends praying and crying. Next thing I know, I’m lying with my head in the lap of my Mom’s best friend on the front seat of her car heading home. I guess my brother drove himself home.

A Harvard Medical study from 2012 states that December and January tend to be the deadliest of the year. Virtually all physiological processes have a circadian rhythm, meaning that they occur predominantly at certain parts of the day. There’s even a circadian rhythm of death, so that in general people tend to die in the morning hours, sometime around 11:00 AM is the average time.

I walked around our house that day in a fog, listening for my Dad’s car keys on the salver in the foyer, hanging up his coat, his happy words, “who-who””, I’m home.” I stopped to listen to the news report of my Dad’s death on the radio every half hour, still in disbelief. Our house was packed with people trying to be helpful and kind. One friend was cleaning out our fridge, she was holding Dad’s can of bacon grease looking confused. I explained the magical properties of that can, bacon grease instead of butter in gravies, sautéed vegetables, hash brown potatoes, and hamburgers. She gently put the can back on the shelf and continued to toss leftovers and condiments to make room for the plethora of casseroles and pies that had arrived.

Christmas was my Dad’s favorite time of the year. Early in December, plans were made and invitations were sent for the luncheon Curry Party. My Dad loved to cook and entertain. Curry was an art form in my family. The whole chickens were seasoned and stewed, the meat carefully removed. Each condiment painstakingly prepared by my Dad. The dozens of hard boiled eggs shredded by hand, the crispy bacon, the roasted and chopped peanuts, bananas in sweet cream, the toasted coconut, raisins, chopped tomatoes, and the most important; mango chutney.

The curry was served in the dining room from a shiny silver tureen. The condiments in tiny crystal bowls with miniature silver spoons or tongs for serving. Tables covered in white damask with red and white flower centerpieces and candelabra with red candles. A stack records in the stereo playing Christmas music, the fireplaces with beautiful blazing fires, the lights of the Christmas tree in the sunroom, and guests in their holiday finest, all a memory of our curry parties.

Dad’s funeral was on Christmas Eve, it was horribly beautiful in the church my Dad loved and helped to build. The organ played Onward Christian Soldiers and no one wore black, one dear friend wore red.

The house was finally quiet as we halfheartedly celebrated Christmas that year with gifts that had been forgotten in all the fuss. Each of us still in shock. I held my Grandmother’s hand as she murmured that children were not supposed to die before their parents. My mother had become a widow at 45, she was distracted by the massive responsibilities she now had on her plate, closing my Dad’s law practice, dealing with insurance, and raising four children alone.

I lived through that year and fifty more, I have happily decorated trees, cooked standing rib roasts and Yorkshire puddings, but a quiet shadow arrives and I find myself holding my breath. I check the calendar, it’s December 22.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

Proof of winter was a stack of ski tickets on the zipper of my childhood ski jacket.

I learned the meaning of the word, provoked” the year my older brother had a major skiing accident. Harris was the best skier of all of us, at the time. It was post Christmas and he was wearing the latest in ski wear. He jumped off a mogul on the toughest slope, the fall was so epic that Ski Patrol was involved.

Harris was quiet and very pale as he was lifted onto the sled, we saw that one foot was facing the wrong direction. The x-ray was stunning, his tibia was snapped in half which meant surgery and several screws to hold it in place. Much to Harris’ chagrin, in the emergency room, the nurse insisted upon cutting his new ski pants off of him. My Dad’s childhood friend performed the surgery that very afternoon. Harris came home with crutches and a cast from his foot to his thigh.

My parents took a much needed vacation that spring. My Grandparents were left in charge. Harris was at the point in his recovery of exploring how much he could do with a full leg cast. One afternoon, GrandDad was napping on the couch in the den, we decided to experiment with Harris’ crutches. The object of the competition was to determine which one of us could get the most horizontal. With our arms holding the crutches we swung our feet up to the back door, holding there as long as possible. It was easy for my younger brother, Steve and me but Harris had a very heavy cast to hoist up and hold. Harris’ attempt was a disaster, there was a loud crack as the cast hit the door. The crutches shattered and Harris fell to the floor.

GrandDad’s face was a scary red, his cheeks were puffed as if he was going to explode. “I have never been so provoked!” were the first words out of his mouth. My GrandDad was of the generation that “children should be seen and not heard.” Not only had we interrupted his nap, but Harris’ cast and crutches needed to be repaired or replaced.

I could see my Grandfather’s jaw finally relaxing as we sat at the airport waiting to retrieve my parents from their trip. There was a request for GrandDad to pick up a white phone on the airport loud speaker. My parents had missed their flight. They had met some friends in the Denver airport and lost track of time. GrandDad was very provoked again and swore that my parents would need to get a taxi home when they finally did arrive.

Early in the summer, Harris’ cast was reduced to a walking cast below his knee, which meant the freedom of riding his bike. I don’t think that he had permission from the doctor or my parents but he was suffering from “cabin fever” and there was no stopping him. Somehow he managed to break this cast as well. Luckily, neither of my parents were provoked by this.

I started skiing in first grade, everything but my ski jacket and gloves had been my Mom’s when she was a child. The long underwear was soft, pink cashmere, the ski pants were black wool gaberdine with a Jantzen tag at the waist, my boots were leather with red laces, and my skis were shiny and wooden. I was ready to conquer the slopes. I learned how to “snow plow” my first day on the “bunny” hill. The rope tow was a challenge but I managed it without falling once.

My two brothers were my skiing buddies. As we all got better at skiing, my Dad would take us for long weekends to ski in Colorado. One spring break, we skied at Steamboat springs. We promised to meet Dad for lunch, so after breakfast, we made two or three runs, always following Harris’ lead. It got increasingly warmer in the afternoon and we tied our jackets around our waists.

Harris remarked that the snow had become slushy on the slopes that we had been skiing all morning, he wanted to try something new. We headed over to a double black diamond slope with a three foot vertical drop at the beginning. My brothers leapt off and skied away. I could hear their encouraging yells as I side stepped down, crying with fear. The hill was aptly named Twister, it was a mogul skier’s delight.

We trusted our brother as we followed Harris past a spot that had danger signs emblazoned with a skull and cross bones. The snow was once again powder and it was great skiing until we came to a creek. We removed our skis and jumped across the rushing water in the creek. Steve and I were now scared and angry, we yelled at Harris as we put our skis back on. The sun was setting as we managed to ski to a road, then we walked back to our condo to meet our Dad. Harris made us promise not to tell of our afternoon exploits.

I began skiing afterschool with my high school friends. Our local ski area, Hogadon, was just a few hairpin turns and snowy, steep hills from my house. My best friend would drive us in her gold Chevy Corvair, without snow tires. She was my hero, she was an amazing driver and skier. We were in our Bohemian phase and eschewed ski pants, we wore Levi’s . My hair in long braids covered by a hat knit by my Mom. We’d ski until sunset and drive down the mountain with ice crusted wool socks and pants. We felt alive and free.

I continued to ski every chance I got. While in college at The University of Wyoming, I skied the Snowy Range which is in the Medicine Bow National Forest. The base elevation of the ski area is almost 9,000 feet. We were spoiled with the almost daily snowfall which afforded glorious powdered snow.

My brothers and I skied together every chance we got, in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Skiing was second nature to us.

Nothing beats the outstanding beauty of the mountains. Taking in those panoramic views and breathing the fresh mountain air is rejuvenating for the mind and soul. Clear blue skies also known as “bluebird” days in the world of winter getaways are every skier’s dream. Research has shown that Vitamin D, which is produced from sun rays plays an important role in boosting mood and warding off depression. I definitely had some teenage angst, but skiing had such a positive effect on the quality of my life. If you doubt this, just walk into any ski lodge and observe all the happy, rosy-cheeked faces. Skiing is more than a sport, being active in a beautiful outdoor environment can’t be topped.

Playing the Farmer in the Dell is one of my fondest memories of nursery school. Eating graham crackers on a brown paper towel and drinking milk out of a tiny Dixie cup were the highlight of my first school experience at age four. My class met three mornings a week in the basement of my family’s church. I found the whole experience to be very magical.

I spent every Sunday morning in the Episcopal church. There was a child size Nave with small pews and kneelers where the Priest would hold the children’s service. We would then be dismissed to our various age related Sunday School classes. The Sunday School Advent curriculum at Christmas was always fun and crafty.

The first Sunday in Advent included making an Advent wreath in which to place four candles. The Sunday School candles were made out of toilet paper tubes. The four candles represent the four Sundays of Advent and they respectively symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love. In some parishes, people will add a fifth candle to represent the birth of Jesus Christ; this candle is typically white and larger than the other candles and is placed in the center of the wreath.

The Celtic Advent calendar begins November 15 and extends through the feast of Epiphany. In the 6th century, the Celtic Christians celebrated Advent during the forty days before Christmas. As a mirror to the period of Lent before Easter.

In the Christian liturgical year, Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. Las Posadas, which means “The Inns” is a traditional Advent/Christmas celebration in Latin America, particularly Mexico. Las Posadas dates back more than four hundred years to Spain when Catholic priests found they could best teach many of the biblical stories by using drama. Las Posadas traditionally is celebrated for nine nights from December 16 to December 24, culminating in the Christmas Eve worship service. It is designed to reenact the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and search for lodging. Las Posadas invites one to imagine the experiences of individuals seeking asylum or refugee status.

Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. There might be some parallels to our current world situation.

How does a weary world rejoice? With Advent beginning on December 3, we are reminded to step back from the busyness of our days, into a place of calm and reflection. We acknowledge our weariness, we find joy in connection, we allow ourselves to be amazed, we sing stories of hope, and we comfort ourselves with the rituals of the season.

Christmas was always enchanting in my Wyoming childhood, the layer of freshly fallen snow added to the magic. The children’s church service on Christmas Eve was very exciting. The smallest children were dressed as angels, with tinsel halos and paper wings, the older children were dressed as Mary, Joseph and the three Wise men in the Nativity play. At the end of the service children would carry Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus to the crèche at the chancel area near the altar. The congregation would sing Oh Holy Night and Joy to the World. The choir would depart down the center aisle singing Silent Night and the church bells would ring, signaling the end of the service.

My family would then return home to a beautifully laid table with a Christmas Cracker at each place. Adding to the magic, wearing our colorful paper crowns, we’d eat our dinner of Yorkshire pudding and a standing rib roast by candlelight. After dinner, we would open all of our presents, which usually included a new winter coat, a special book, and pajamas. My Mom would play the piano and we would sing Christmas carols before bed. We’d check the sky several times in search of Santa’s sleigh, the moon always shining bright.

Santa brought the most wonderful toys on Christmas Day, carefully placed near the tree with our hand knit, filled stockings. We’d always receive exactly what we asked for and then some, one year there was a life size log cabin in the living room, another year, Santa had poured an ice skating rink on our patio. My wonderful parents acted surprised and delighted at each of our gifts from Santa.

The Advent season is an invitation for us all to choose to set aside the fear and uncertainty that has defined 2023. It’s a chance to take the focus off the hustle of the Christmas season, have hope, and live in love and peace.

December’s name has its origins from the Latin name decem, meaning ten, because it was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar.

December on the whole is almost completely overwhelmed by different holiday customs and traditions, with little focus on anything else. There are many different religious holidays throughout December. The first week of Advent begins on Sunday, December 3, and December 7 marks the beginning of Hanukkah, with its eight day Festival of Lights. December 8 is Bodhi Day in the Buddhist calendar, celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment.

St. Lucia Day falls on December 13 which has also long been associated with festivals of light. A woman named Lucia, which means light, was born to a noble and prosperous family. Lucia’s father died when she was young and she was raised by her mother in the Christian tradition. Lucia’s mother became ill and Lucia promised God that if her mother was healed, she vowed to remain unmarried and devote her life to God. Lucia’s mother was healed. Lucia convinced her mother to give her inheritance, which would have been her dowry, to the poor. Lucia’s suitor was furious, not only had he lost beautiful Lucia, but her generous dowry as well. The suitor reported Lucia to the government as being a witch and helping the Christians. Lucia was called before a judge, and was killed because she refused to denounce the Christian faith. Lucia was one of the earliest Christian martyrs, St. Lucia was killed by the Romans in 304 CE. According to Swedish legend, after Lucia’s death a ship carrying a maiden “clothed in white and crowned with light” appeared during great famine. St. Lucia distributed food and clothing to the needy, thus endearing herself to the Swedish people. In Sweden, Lucia symbolizes the end of the long winter nights and the return of light to the world.

December 28 has been considered to be the unluckiest day of the Christian calendar for thousands of years. At one time, the day known as The Feast of the Holy Innocents was considered cursed. The origins of this superstition lie in the story of Jesus Christ. It was on this day that King Herod ordered that all baby boys be put to death in an attempt to kill Jesus Christ. Until the seventeenth century, it was believed that ritually beating a child with a stick on December 28, brought the beater good luck and reminded the child of both King Herod’s viciousness and the suffering of Jesus. Catholics still observe December 28 with prayers and readings referencing King Herod’s slaughter of babies.

There are four birth stones for the month of December, all four are blue in color. Blue gem stones are considered very spiritual as they represent both the color of the heavens and life-giving water. Blue stones in general are thought to provide vitality both physically and emotionally. Turquoise is the traditional birth stone of December. Turquoise is believed to symbolize prosperity, love, and good fortune. Blue Zircon is thought to ward off evil spirits, aid sleep, and enhance the wearer’s intuition. It also possesses a protective aura. Tanzanite is a transformative gemstone that facilitates inner calm and stimulates psychic abilities. Blue topaz is believed to help relieve stress, soothe sore throats, and body aches and pains.

On December 30, 1803, the United States essentially doubled in size when it formally took control of Louisiana. The U.S. acquired the territory of Louisiana, some 885,000 square miles from France through the Louisiana Purchase costing the U.S. government 15 million dollars.

December’s flower is the Narcissus. The fragrant narcissus usually blooms in spring, the paperwhite species blooms in winter. Narcissus means hope and joy.

Those born in December, the final fire sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius are unlike any other sign, they are totally unique. Sagittarians are faithful, intelligent, forceful, and sympathetic. They are one-of-a-kind, gifted, and wise beyond their years. Freedom is one of the most obvious attributes of a Sagittarius. More than any other sign, a Sagittarius values independence and the ability to do what they want, when they want, above all else. Those born under the sign of Sagittarius are among the most imaginative people on the globe. They are known for their emotional intelligence which helps them connect with others. Sagittarius’ ruling planet is Jupiter , the planet of abundance. Jupiter is all about excess, it expands anything it touches. Sagittarius are natural leaders, they are fun, playful, and extremely philosophical.

For millennia, Full Moons have wielded a magnetic charm that has seized human hearts and minds. Across diverse cultures and eras, this consistent monthly event has been the inspiration behind innumerable myths, tales, and traditions. December’s full Moon on Tuesday, December 26 is called the Cold Moon, a Mohawk name that conveys the frigid conditions this time of year. The moon will appear high and full on Christmas Day. It is the first full Moon after the solstice and it will be above the horizon for longer than most full Moons.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.