I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas…

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want the world to be at peace I want the earth to be well and for us to stop damaging it I want no more animals to rush to extinction due to our stupidity

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you? He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue Just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do

I want there to be clean water for everyone to drink I want no child to be hungry, no adult for that matter I want medicine available to all who need it

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes to see a hippo hero standing there

I want for folks to share with each other when they have more than they need I want the sense of entitlement rampant in America to go away I want people to be aware of the worth of their souls

and to appreciate their gifts

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses I only like hippopotamuses And hippopotamuses like me too

I want my family to be kind and to be at peace I want my family to never feel loneliness,

may they all have friends who they can call upon I want my family to appreciate each other

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian. (Short Music Interlude) There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I want my friends to know they can call on me no matter what I want my friends to feel loved I want my friends to have all that they need

I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes to see a hippo hero standing there

I want patience for myself I want to be complaint free I want to let go of anger

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas Only a hippopotamus will do No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses I only like hippopotamuseses And hippopotamuses like me too!

So now that you’re done delivering the toys,

could you get on these requests Santa!? Thanks for all your hard work ~ thank the elves and Mrs. Claus too!

Merry Christmas to One and All!

"Hippo Song" Words and Music by John Rox

Distractions...

This could be the view from Santa's back porch.... hope he and the elves are not too distracted to finish making the toys and pack the sleigh! 1. DSC04876.jpg, 2. Red Aurora, 3. Nothern Lights 7, 4. Northern Lights Easter 2006 II, 5. Þingvellir, 6. Rare red auroras., 7. aurora borealis, 8. Aurora in Fog, 9. Aurora Borealis_12, 10. Fireworks from God, 11. Aurora Borealis, 12. Aurora Borealis, 13. Stars and Aurora Borealis, 14. while waiting for winter, 15. glow, 16. It´s Written In The Stars Thank you to all the wonderful folks who captured these shots and thank you to Flickr.com for helping me share them with you. What a blessing to have been in the presence of such wonder! Please do enjoy the the photos ~ but shouldn't you be shopping or wrapping gifts or baking cookies or doing something constructive? Ah yes, I must tease! Remember to savor every moment of the Holidays. After all, even the "interesting" bits could give you something to blog about!

Solstice Greetings!

Lake Opeechee, Ontario, Canada ~ 2002

It has been a challenging time recently in my corner of the world and I am more than ready to celebrate the return of the Sun. It’s been a bit dark both literally and figuratively as of late. For centuries many peoples have anticipated the coming of the Solstice. It marks the end of Winter’s darkness, the rebirth of the Sun, and hope for the reawakening of the Earth which provides us our nourishment. Now while I’m not foolish enough to think that Winter is over in North East Ohio (trust me – wait for the rant on Ground Hog Day against the evil plot and empty promises brought by that untrustworthy rodent, and I’m hoping that Easter will not be white again this year!), I am ready to move into the light. So hang a wreath to symbolize the great cycle of the seasons and burn a Yule log to welcome back the Sun. Step out side, turn your face to the sky, and be thankful for the beauty and wonder that is our Mother Earth. If you can’t see the Sun through the snow clouds, just guess where it may be and remember that the clouds keep the heat in! Blessed Be!