Hi Folks:
We came across this story via the Good News Network and we just had to share it with you. Remember to keep your eyes on the sky tonight!!
Hugs,
🤶&🎅
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” ~ Clement C. Moore
Category Archives: Spirituality
Reindeer Games
No, not that one. This one:
Mrs. Claus, Twinkles and Krinkles at the Bay Centre, Victoria, BC. Still much waving to do!
A lot of people lose their smiles this time of year, so Twinkles and Krinkles like to wander about and wave at people to see if they can help find their smiles again. 🙂
Mr.and Mrs. Claus do their best to keep the reindeer from getting too rambunctious; sometimes it isn’t easy as they do love their task!!
Hugs,
🤶&🎅
(and Krinkles and Twinkles)
Taking time for a refreshing cup of tea!
Celebrating the Holidays!
Hi Folks:
Tomorrow marks the winter solstice; we’re closing in on the end of another year. It seems 2024 has been a tough one for many but we’re continuing to open to ourselves and each other in many magical ways…
Last night we continued our annual tradition of seeing the movie Love Actually with friends at Cinecenta. The movie is a wonderful reminder of the many facets of love and how best to express them.
As we move toward the vernal equinox we will be entering the period where the days begin to lengthen once again (here in the northern hemisphere, at least). More light, more trust, new beginnings. It’s a choice each of us gets to make in every moment, so if you’re ever unsure how to react in any situation, be kind. It’s good for you, good for the other person, is non-fattening, doesn’t cause cavities and helps to make the world a better place, even just for a moment. And sharing kindness is often contagious! Pay it forward. 🙂
2024 IEOA Lighted Truck parade, Victoria, BC
“The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” ~ W. C. Jones
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Festivus, Solstice or Saturnalia, the arrival of Sinterklaas or Grandfather Frost, Hanukkah, Yalda, Pancha Ganapati, Bodhi Day, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, St. Lucia’s Day, Three Kings Day, Yule, Hogmany, Soyal, Ōmisoka, Eid al-Fitr (starting on March 31, 2025), Diwali (October 2025), or something entirely personal, from our house to yours, we wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday season! May 2025 find you safe, healthy and surrounded by Love. 💗
Hugs,
M&M
🎅🤶
Always…🍁🍃🍂
Go out and kick some leaves! You know you want to… 🙂
Hugs,
M&M
Spooktacular Hugs!!
Hi Folks:
We haven’t done much chalk art recently because of the rain (no complaints – it refills the aquifer and we’ll appreciate it next summer). Unfortunately rain isn’t very kind to chalk art! We’re expecting another major storm this weekend so we’ll have to put out something else for Hallowe’en, but in the meantime, remember to hug someone you love today. Or a stranger. Or, preferably, both!!
Hugs,
M&M
Happy Father’s Day!!
Hi Folks:
All of Marcia and Mike’s parents are gone now, but we have two sons and a son-in-law and five beautiful grandchildren. We are Grandy and Grandalf! 🧙♀️&🧙♂️
As with those who are moms, Happy Father’s Day today to all of the strong, loving men who are fathers, to those who are chosen dads, surrogate dads, step-dads, adoptive dads, and to the women who are also dads.
Special thanks to all those who love and support them.
Hugs,
M&M
P.S. For anyone who’s interested in knowing how the spherical pattern was made, click here:
Father’s Day Hugs (behind the scenes)
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the world’s Mothers and to all those who fulfill the role … step-mothers, chosen mothers, adoptive mothers, surrogate mothers, soon-to-be mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, brothers, uncles, dads and more. And let us not forget the Earth, the great Mother of us all. 🌏
Remember to hug someone you love today. Or a stranger. Or, preferably, both!!
Hugs,
M&M
P.S. As Marcia’s dad used to say, “Remember Father on Mother’s Day“!
2024 Hug Zones
Hi Folks:
2024 marks the third year we’ve been creating Hugging Spots on the sidewalk in front of our house (and occasionally elsewhere). Last year I believe we made 11 patterns and about the same in 2022. We’ll see what this year brings! The image above is actually our second pattern for this year; the first was for Valentine’s Day. To keep all of the patterns in one place we’ll add that to the bottom of this post. If you happen to be walking by our little corner of Victoria feel free to share a hug with those who are accompanying you. If you’re nowhere near us, feel free to create your own Hugging Spot! All it takes is a little chalk, a little time and a little love. Many thanks to the wonderful people who stopped to chat while work was in progress and special thanks to the young woman who offered a hug before the artwork was completed!
If you want to see our previous patterns you can find them here: 2023 Hug Zones and 2022 Hug Zones.
Remember to hug someone you love today, even if it’s you!!
M&M Continue Reading →
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💗
Hi Folks:
Today is Valentine’s Day, an international excuse to be more loving to each other (not that we need one) and a reason to eat good chocolate (not that we need one!) We always think sharing hugs with loved one is a good idea, so we wanted to encourage others to join in the celebration!
NB: While Mike was drawing with chalk, Marcia was scampering around the neighbourhood leaving anonymous valentines in our local Little Library boxes … 🤫
Hugs,
M&M
P.S. We’re in the middle of Random Acts of Kindness week. What are you doing to be kind today? Remember to be kind to yourself as well as others!!
P.S. II, the sequel: Apparently in the 17th century it was customary for young gentlemen to write the name of their betrothed on their shirt cuff for Valentine’s Day – hence wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve.
New Day, New Year, New Beginnings…
Crossing the Bridge
Japanese Garden, Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC
Hi Folks:
We first posted this for New Year’s Day, 2013 but it seems appropriate to share again. To start the year off right, consider these words from Howard W. Hunter:
“This year, mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter.
Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise.
Forgo a grudge.
Forgive an enemy.
Apologize.
Try to understand.
Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love and then speak it again.”
Have an amazing day and an incredible year!! As Marcia says, may 2024 be gentle with us all.
Hugs,
M&M
P.S. This is a message we can all send to each other: Israel and Iran: A love story?
The names and faces have changed in the past ten years, but love remains. If you know of anyone who would like to revive this, please pass it along. And if you want to create your own Free Hugs posters, we’ll happily share our template.