Hawks in the 'Hood

Isn't this an awesome photograph?  My friend and I were going out to our antique booth this morning.  About two blocks from my house, we saw this pair of hawks land in a tree in a neighbor's front yard.  We stopped the car and started snapping pictures.  The hawks didn't seem too concerned about us and appeared to be casually posing.

Don't be deceived by their calm demeanor and beauty...they are ruthless hunters, to be sure.  Last summer I watched in horror as one swooped down in my backyard and flew away with one of my songbirds locked in its talons.  Although it was heartbreaking, birds of prey have to eat too.  It's the way of nature.

I live on the outskirts of a large city.  Many of our city's mature trees have been removed to make room for the city's growth and "progress".  Forests destroyed for new housing and highway construction had been "home" to varied wildlife.  The animals that survived have had to find new places to live.  Apparently, some have adapted and found habitat in well populated urban areas.  In our neighborhood and in nearby ones, we've seen deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums, rabbits, owls, and hawks.  Although I haven't seen one, I am pretty sure that I heard a coyote once.  I had never heard such a strange sound before, nor have I heard it since that night.  It never fails to amaze me to see a wild animal or bird of prey in an unexpected place.  This morning's hawk sighting was no exception.  I just hope all the songbirds were able to find cover today.  We don't have very many songbirds during the winter, so those that do visit our yard are very precious to me.

I hope that you are enjoying these last few days for Christmas.  It's a special time of year for connecting with family and friends.  Please take time this week to read Luke 2 with your family and reflect on the wonderful event that occurred over two thousand years ago...the birth of Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney

McAdenville - A Family Tradition

December's calendar page seems to flip over faster and faster each year.  With family get togethers, parties, church and school events, shopping, decorating, and cooking, plus our normal daily routines, the month begins and ends in the blink of an eye.  Every year I aspire to finish my Christmas shopping by the end of October...never has happened, and probably never will...but hope springs eternal.

The older I get, the less "wants" for material things I have.  God is graciously providing for our needs, even with me leaving the workforce in July.  The need for more "things" is at the bottom of my list.  Relationships are so much more important.  Here's my wish list for December:  spend time with family and friends, go to McAdenville to see the Christmas lights, watch Christmas movies (including It's a Wonderful Life), listen to Christmas CD's (including our old family favorite, Carpenters Christmas Collection), drink flavored coffee and hot chocolate, burn scented candles, bake and eat cookies (OK, maybe eat cookies my husband baked since he's the baker in the family), have a fire in the fireplace, turn off the lights and enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree when all is quiet at the end of the day, attend church and focus on Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas, attend at least one children's program---somewhere.  Christmas just isn't Chrismas if it doesn't involve children.    

I think traditions are important in unifying families.  It bonds them with commonality.  When I was a little girl, a December visit to McAdvenville was our family tradition.  McAdenville is known as Christmas Town, U.S.A.   It's a small North Carolina town that has been decorating its homes, businesses, and churches with thousands of Christmas lights during the month of December since the 1950's. Tour busses and church vans from all over bring groups to see the beautiful displays. 

When our sons were growing up, we continued the tradition.  As they grew older, particularly during those teen years, I had to suffer through the eye-rolling when I wanted to go to McAdvenville.  Now that they have children of their own, I hope they establish traditions for their families. 

But...now we have grands!  I can check McAdvenville off my December to-do list. On Thursday  night, we took one of our grandchildren to McAdenville to see the Christmas lights..so the tradition continues to the next generation..  No eye-rolling; just joy and wonder on his sweet little face as he bounced and waved at snowmen, Santa Clauses, and anyone passing by.

The trees and displays are much more elaborate than they were in the 1950's and 1960's when I was a child; but I still remember the anticipation of rounding the curve, where dozens of Christmas trees, covered in red, green, and white lights, surrounded a lake.  Their colors were reflected back, as if in a mirror, while the center fountain glowed in ever-changing colors.  Thursday night, treasured memories of those long ago Christmases flooded back.   

Thank you, McAdenville, for sharing over fifty years of Christmas joy to millions of children and families.  Although the town spends untold hours each year putting up and taking down the lights and decorations, I hope it is a tradition they continue for future generations to enjoy.

As your family celebrates Christmas throughout the month of December, take time to make memories, establish traditions, but most importantly--focus on the true reason for the season....Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World!

Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney