Lighting up the night

This morning when I walked Ella down to the shore, it was a dark dawn sky, so heavily clouded with the snow that would fall later that no sun broke through.  Then I remembered that the winter solstice is less than 2 weeks away, and after that, the days grow longer.  Okay, imperceptibly at first, but longer, not shorter, leading inexorably to spring and then summer. (Pretty demoralizing to be thinking ahead to summer when winter is just getting started!)

Meanwhile, one of the schooners at the docks at Ulmer's Point has strung holiday lights on its standing rigging and hoisted a lighted Christmas tree to the top of its main mast.  Here's the lights and at the top of the photo is the tree:

I tried to zoom in on the tree, which made it appear to be floating in space:

Meanwhile, an inch of snow, which is going to be melted away tonight or tomorrow as the weather warms and dumps rain in place of snow.

Okay with me.

Peace.

Nelson Mandela

I woke up today to learn that Nelson Mandela had passed away last evening at the age of 95.  Periodically through the day, I was able to hear some of the NPR stories reviewing his life and accomplishments.  27 years in prison!  From prison to president of a country.  Always speaking out against discrimination and hate everywhere, promoting reconciliation, embodying kindness and compassion.

May Nelson Mandela's memory be a blessing for people all over the world who still languish in prison, suffer hunger, poverty, disease, discrimination, injustice.  Long live Nelson Mandela!

Peace!  Justice!