As the year ends.

the christmas rush is in the past.
We are home for the quiet of a big city largely empty.
New years in Japan is a cleaning out, thoughtful, peaceful holiday.
A time to pause and consider.
There is much considering to do.
There is also much tea drinking, and doggie snuggling, and loitering and
lazing around to do. While I think about the future.

Home for the Holidays

Tap dancing santas, and baking
and food
and family and
by the way palm trees- but
There is snow on the cabinet top.
Makes dreams of a white christmas
come true.
And all the love makes it
all cozy anyway.

Wintery Heart

Feeling clear, cold and blue.
Just like a December morning in Tokyo.
The detachment is helpful in the chaos.

Winding Down

Final bursts of color

and lights 

and yellow and brown leaves 

as we wind down this 

very

very

very 

interesting year. 

It has been a year of moving, and changes

and passion and collapse

and so much more. 

I feel a need for some quiet thinking 

and pondering what is next.

Holiday Tea Time

the only thing better than delicious, strong, hot, tea with milk and sugar
is that same tea all dressed up for christmas-
with carols
and lights
and sweet things
and dreams
and old ornaments
and older movies
and friends
and family
and presents with bows
and some without
figgy pudding, goose, cheese plates, family await