Gems and Jewels

Do you see her?

So slender and quiet when she first starts to rise,

while darkness like velvet drapes deep winter skies.

Retrieving her best from closet

shelf and chest she begins to dress

towns in elegant gowns

hangs cursive swirls with

her strings of pearls, then

swiftly flinging dazzling things

chains of gold, diamond rings

emeralds, opals, sparkling stars

bits of rubies on the backs of cars.

Eccentric woman with a flair for excess---

You’ve certainly seen her extravagance.

The Lady lives large, her radiance rules

during

Mary Christmas’s Season of Gems and Jewels.

________________________

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Chuck & Penny

The "Gems and Jewels" on this year's card are Lampwork* glass beads made by Chuck with an oxygen-propane torch in his new glass studio.

Verse © 2011 Penny Pefley | Photo © 2011 Chuck Pefley

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*Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient Syrian (1 Century B.C., B. Dunham) times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century. In the mid 19th century lampwork technique was extended to the production of paperweights, primarily in France, where it became a popular art form, still collected today. Lampworking differs from glassblowing in that glassblowing uses a blowpipe to inflate a glass blob known as a gob or gather, whereas lampworking manipulates glass either by the use of tools, gravity, or by blowing directly into the end of a glass tube.

Early lampworking was done in the flame of an oil lamp, with the artist blowing air into the flame through a pipe. Most artists today use torches that burn either propane or natural gas, or in some countries butane, for the fuel gas, with either air or pure oxygen (which can be produced by an oxygen concentrator) as the oxidizer. Many hobbyists use MAPP gas in portable canisters for fuel.
Lampworking is used to create artwork, including figurines, trinkets, curios, Christmas tree ornaments, beads and much more. It is also used to create scientific instruments as well as glass models of animal and botanical subjects.

First Class Joy

We’ve grown accustomed to not expect much ---
catalogs, bills, third-class stuff.  Until the arrival of
early December; curiously we start to remember …
anticipate … see the mail truck … hear the gate.

Outside, woodfire frosty air, find cold bounty waiting
there.  Red envelopes, a box!  Old
acquaintances who’ve not forgot.  Inside foil-lined envelopes, slit,
news and notes in familiar script.  Homemade cards, palpable affection.

First Class Joy.  Renewed connection.

____________________________

“First Class Joy”

Photo © 2008 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2010 Penny Pefley

The Gift of Story

Imagine a Christmas
when people gave stories for gifts.

Sitting together or writing a letter,
opening memory like a book,
they’d tell family stories, personal tales,
the historic and hysterical, the best
and the worst, the homesick Christmas,
the ironic, the tragic and triumphant.

Imagine their touching, crazy tales
coming to life again, connecting tellers
and listeners warmly in the sharing, one
after another, like a string of Christmas lights …

Imagine being that Present to one another.

Imagine giving … receiving …
the Gift of Story.

Wishing you a treasured Christmas.

_____________
"The Gift of Story"
 ©2008 Chuck Pefley | ©2008 Penny Pefley

Merry Maple

If ever there were
a time
to appreciate barren beauty

find the delicate balance
between hanging on
and letting go

recognize our innate strength
and astonishing resilience …

Surely it is Now.

Wishing you a Beautiful, Vibrant Christmas.

--------------------

“Merry Maple”

Photo © 2008 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2008 Penny Pefley

Snow Globe

May there never come a time when
our grandchildren say to their grandchildren,

“Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was snow.”

May there always be snow in winter falling
hard and fast in a single direction, or
softly sifting landscapes like a powdery confection.

May there always be plenty of snow and more
children to welcome it tongue-skyward than
adults cursing shoveling, driving, annoyed by it.

May there always be snow especially at Christmas ---
when our efforts to cool the globe return
as winter confetti falling, calling
Joy to the World!

_______________
“Snow Globe”

with winter road near Blewett Pass, Washington

Photos © 1999 & 2007 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2007 Penny Pefley  

Orvieto

Ahhh ….

Together, with humankind across the world,

            we are once again walking

                through an old familiar passageway

on cobblestones polished with the footsteps of time.

Together, we will pass under the arch of Christmas,

            from the old year towards the new,

                and from the dark of winter

                towards the light.

Take your time.

            Stop when you like.

                               Enjoy every step of the way.

_________________________________

"Orvieto" 

Narrow cobblestone lane near Piazza del Popolo in Orvieto, and old hilltown in Umbira, Italy. 

Photo © 2004 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2006 Penny Pefley

Christmas Spirit

In the snow and the glow of those little white lights
with the scent of sharp pine in the air
time’s condensed, there’s a sense we’re all hurrying more
doing something Important, with care.

As I glance back I feel something almost surreal ~~
we’re a sketch Norman Rockwell would paint;
we’re a scene in a snow globe ‘neath lace curtain trees.

In this place Goodwill trumps our restraint.

I treasure that glimpse: we’re connected together
and our compass points stronger toward Good;
here our heart pockets open to give and receive
~~the language of Love understood.

________________________________________

"Christmas Spirit"

Photo © 1998 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2005 Penny Pefley

A Time for Joy!

 A
time
has come
for Joy: ringing
bringing down heaven
on earth,  it’s time for
mirth and colored lights,
fragrant baking, yes festive
making,  gifting,  wrapping
tree adorning, frosty mornings
hustling, bustling, chestnuts
roasting, late at night scheming
sugarplum dreaming, mistletoe-
kissing -- and most of all -- wishing
the Merry Merriest Christmas to
you
and
Your’s!

____________________________

"A Time for Joy"

Photo © 2004 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2004 Penny Pefley  

Believe

How long has it been since you closed your eyes tight

And believed in the Visitor who comes in the night?

Can you turn back the years to those days of sheer joy,

Feel the bubble of wonder as a wee girl or boy?

It was easier then, with the covers chin-high

To believe in a world in which reindeer could fly.

And that kindly old Someone of legend and fame,

He knew where you lived, he knew you by name.

There is little more foolish than thinking its so

That all there’s to life is what grownups know.

Since reindeer still fly through the sky now as then

……isn’t it time you believed once again?

 _________________________________

"Believe"

Photo © 2003 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2003 Penny Pefley

Christmas Window

Do you see what I see? ---Three fuzzy bears looking back at me!

A bike, a star, a very shy kitten,

A Raggedy Ann and a wee small mitten …

Can you find a silly clown, five green trees, a clock that’s brown?

A dreidel and sweets for good girls and boys,

Two rocking horses among the toys?

Can you see the bright red ball, a Nutcracker standing straight and tall?

An angel, a snowman, a lamp with a light?

Merry Visions to All, and to All a Good Night!

_______________________________

Christmas Window

Photo © 2002 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2002 Penny Pefley

Hearthfire

As Christmas nears
            peace on earth is far, far away,

mirth and joy are in short supply,

and faith and trust are in need of repair …

At times like this we crave candle and flame.

            We’ve built a fire to share;
                        old fallen logs new Hope ignite …
                                    we’re saving you a chair.

 _____________________________________
"Hearthfire"
Photo © 2001 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2001 Penny Pefley

Winter Fire

In a land called Winter,

In a clearing called December,

There’s a circle called

Christmas

And in the center is 

Love.

________________

"Winter Fire"
Photo © 2000 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 2000 Penny Pefley

Snow Angel

They tell stories about angels this
time of year,
how they spoke to folks, and sang,
and coaxed …

You may believe, or say it’s not so.

You may make yours out of snow.

You may think you hear or see one. 

Or you may, in fact, just be one.

____________________
"Snow Angel"
Photo © 1999 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1999 Penny Pefley

Snowman

The beauty of it all is
we can create newness
out of ordinary stuff
every day.

Sharing the spirit of Christmas
is as simple as this:

Be who you are
where you are;

Lighten the hearts
of those who pass by; 

And leave an echo behind.

________________

Photo © 1998 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 198 Penny Pefley

Gingerbread Tree

And what is it you see by the Christmas light?

…homemade cookies

…one long-ago night

…a toy, a memory, a look of delight?

Aromas and music whose richness you love

Or hopes for world peace, settling gentle as doves …

Whatever the echo or dream you hold fast 

May it feed and sustain you, long may it last 

as a jewel still shining when Christmas is past.

________________________

Photo © 1997 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1997 Penny Pefley 

Winter Tree

What messages whisper to us
in winter’s darkness?

From the still, frozen forest

On every frost-covered bough …

Etchings of Peace.

 May gentle peace fall on your Christmas

soft as last night’s snow.
__________________
Photo ©1996 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1996 Penny Pefley

Winter Refuge

It’s the season for seeking out Warmth and Light,

For coming together, and children’s delight;

For calming our hearts to hear what is true,

For observing traditions, and making Love new.

The year’s been a long one, the hills have been steep,

With peace hard to come by, and faith hard to keep;

We may never have needed the hearthfire more,

Come in from the cold, open the door.

________________________
Photo © 1995 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1995 Penny Pefley

Christmas Lights - Leavenworth, Washington

Too much for one day or a week, it’s a season

Of contrasts which sparkle, if not yield to reason.

Bright lights and white snow against deep winter dark,

Some elves who are busy, and angels who hark.

There are stories of Shepherds and Santas and Kings,

Ancient truths and traditions, and the newest of Things.

There are singers and parties and rides in the sleigh,

Those who must shop, and those who must pray.

The memories of Old Ones, the glee of the young,

Excitement for many, “Bah-Humbug!” from some.

Match Girl and Magi and all in between,

An experience to savor for what you can glean.

Called Christmas, December, the Season of Light … 

Merry Richness to all, and to all a Good Night.
__________________________

 Photo © 1994 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1994 Penny Pefley

New Snow - Discovery Park, Seattle, WA

There come, in a season such as this,

uncommon moments ---

when suddenly life stands still

and wonder comes over us like new snow.

Precious moments of beauty … of eyes

meeting eyes in warmth … of unexpected generosity …

private moments of reflection on ancient mysteries.

Gifted Moments
that feed your soul and replenish your spirit.

May this Christmas be rich with such moments 

for you.
_______________________________ 
Photo © 1993 Chuck Pefley | Verse © 1993 Penny Pefley

Mount Rainier and Longmire Lodge at dusk

In the true spirit of Christmas …

Marvel at the beauty around you,

Celebrate promises kept and hope rewarded,

Rejoice in the light that brightens darkness,

Do those things that feed your soul,

And be warmed by Love.

___________________________
Photo © 1992 Chuck Pefley | Verxe © 1992 Penny Pefley