The Holly and the Ivy
It’s the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year when it’s cold — well, it used to be before climate change; today it’s 55 degrees in Central, PA — and dark, and most of us schlepp off to work in the gloom and return home from work in the same, barely noticing the sun. We need something to help keep our spirits up.
[Outside at Longwood Gardens]
For centuries people prayed to [their] God [of choice] to bring back the light.
“The world is cold and dark,” they cried, “and we are scared.” The wolves howled and the icy winds blew and the people didn’t have the benefit of electricity to keep their night fears at bay. Instead, they were forced to take the low-tech option of sitting around the campfire and telling stories.
The Celts talked of the Oak King who ruled the summer solstice. When autumn passed on toward winter and the Oak King dropped its leaves and fell into slumber, he was surpassed by his twin brother, the Holly King who ruled the forest with his evergreen leaves and bright red berries.
Year after year, the brothers fought for control of the earth with each one taking the crown at the moment his power was the greatest — then losing ground each day thereafter until he was depleted, bested by his brother once again until the next solstice. Round and round, year after year, the brothers’ drama played out while the rest of us gained 55 seconds of light each day from the winter solstice to the summer, and lost it again from summer to winter.
So rejoice! The sun will soon return. In the meantime, enjoy all that modern man does to keep the night terrors away. We have gotten quite creative over the years.
And here’s a wish for a little snow.
pjlazos 12.21.18
Green Life Blue Water 
Love the images and you are a writer after my own soul!
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Thanks, Anne!
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Merry Xmas!
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And to you!🎄🎁
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Lovely story. Happy Christmas
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Thank you, and to you and yours. 🎄
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Ach, we have no snow, either. I have to watch A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott to remember what it looks like. 🙂 We’ve done some turns going to see lights, too–I love that feeling of magic in the eyes. And now I’ll be thinking of the Oak and Holly Kings dueling in the shadows, thanks to you. A most Blessed Christmas to you and yours! Hope the family can come together for the celebration. xxxxxxxxxxx
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Ah, yes, they’re all here and it’s wonderful having everyone home, Jean. Enjoy those babies. They grow up so quickly. ❤️🎄🎁
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Very nice Pam, luckily for me grew up in tropical latitudes, and the farther North I ever live was Southern California, so escaped the Holly King wrath. 🙂
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Lucky, indeed! Happy holidays!🎄
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Oh Pam – your bright lights in the dark images are stunning and the video is just hauntingly beautiful and I am no fan of Winter and snow. Thank you for sharing it. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you and to you, too, Linda. I hope your holidays are merry and bright.🎄🎁😍
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Have a Merry Xmas Pam!
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Thanks, Bill. A Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year to you and your family. oxo
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Wonderful story Pam! I’m now ready for winter (not really). But you did get me in the mood. 🙂 Enjoy the holidays too.
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It’s a start, Michele. Happy holidays and looking forward to your wonderful blog entries in the New Year. oxo
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A very Happy New Year to you and your family, Pam.
As for snow, I have a feeling we’ll get lots of it in Jan. and Feb., unfortunately.
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Happy Holidays, Neil. I’m hoping for out with the old, in with the new come January. Look for you then.🤗
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After watching your video, I think my pulse rate and blood pressure dropped. So relaxing. What a nice Christmas present.🎄
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Excellent news! Merry Christmas, 🎄🎁 Dr. W.!😘❤️
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Such a lovely story Pam and the accompanying pictures are a delight! I couldn’t watch the video – usage blocked in SA. Don’t forget – full moon tonight. Not only the wolves will be howling at the moon … all best Christmas & Festive season wishes xx
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Susan, thanks for the reminder. I will give the wolves an assist later. Merriest of Christmases to you and your family. Thanks for spreading your particularly joyous brand of light. 🙏✨ ❤️💫 🎄🌟
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Sorry! Trying to forward to a friend who also enjoys!!
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😂🙏❤️
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And then there’s Pam’s blog…beautiful images…
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Hi Jen!! I loved your Christmas 🎄 card and the pictures of you and Ethan! Been meaning to email you to catch up, something I still plan to do. Hope you guys have a wonderful holiday. ❤️🤗😍
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No hint of sunshine here either. I prefer to think of today as the point at which days will start to get longer.
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Haha, not a winter guy, eh, Ken?😘
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Thanks Pam! Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year! I don’t mind the dark days for a while, but they start to get to me around mid-January once all the Xmas decorations are put away. Looking forward to the return of the light!
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Same for me! 🎄
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