Christmas letter 2024

Christmas 2024

Another Christmas is here. Another year has raced by . Things blend together like a kaleidoscope of shapes changing into different events. I think ! ?  I lived another day but what did I do in those awake hours. I was busy doing nothing. My pace is slow, younger ones go by me quickly while I am aware of every step . Slow is good ., more time to appreciate every little action. Yes caution, pay attention and keep moving become daily thoughts, along with a little help from my friends. My mind thank goodness is still working . It does not age, I am just as inquisitive and creative as ever, and so it is! And so it goes! Yes a wonderful life continually evolving.

My world revolves around Ya Po Ah. I take part in most of the events. The people here are amazing. They make this place the best place to live. The other attribute is it’s location, a butte and river on the north side and city on front side. I get to cool off on hot days in the river. I use my trike to get around, errands, like  groceries, post office, farmers market etc. Fifth Street Market is a beautiful mall with a court yard in the middle and elegant shops and restaurants. I take all the Ya Po Ah trips to the coast and various places of interest. One of the outings was a climb up Spencers Butte, here in Eugene, 750 feet to top on a fairly steep slope. I took my time and rested many times but I made it. I am proud of  that accomplishment being 88 years  old.

I had my six weeks in Maine, August and part of September. I did everything I love to do, painted, swam in the cove, went to galleries and museums and gallery openings. I painted with friends in beautiful places. I went to potlucks also in beautiful places. 

Several times I went to the Farnsworth to see the Wyeth’s exhibits. There was a first time show of Andy’s abstracts He had never show these paintings. He was a realistic  painter at the hight of abstraction..when realism was out of stile.I consider him one of America’s best artists. There was a show of Jamie’s strange paintings. He looks physically  like his grandfather N C Wyeth, the illustrator and Jamie’s painting definitely tell a story, I would say dynamic. There was a premier showing in Rockland of a full length documentary movie about Jamie. Called “Jamie Wyeth and the Unflinching Eye “ I missed it there in Rockland but I did get to see the movie in Boothbay. It was very well done. 

I did sell a few of my paintings in a friends gallery in Friendship. Waldoboro sponsored a gallery studio tour. Twelve artists had signed up .My friend who was on the list said I could use her outdoor tent.  She  is a great artist herself, promotes artists, and works hard to keep the gallery in the public’s eye.   

I hate to leave Maine It is so beautiful there, little towns with beautiful architecture. Not much changes in Maine. All the factories and industries are gone. Young people leave because there are fewer jobs. People with money own the coast and retired people make up a good portion of the population. There is a huge influx of tourist in the summer and they bring in the money.. Maine is ranked ninth in least population, plenty of space. Maine’s largest city is Portland,  69 ,000.

While I was in Maine my friend Prem, across the hall from me, sent a text that all residents living In Ya Po Ah had  to take down all decorations and paintings from the hall walls by October first, with no explanation.  I have over 100 paintings hanging on those walls. Well this decree was a shock . Luckily there are a few feisty people that rebelled. Petitions were gathered and a committee started writing letters. When I got back I wrote a letter To Ya Po Ah that I would not take my paintings down until we were given an explanation. There is a  lawyer and writers and creative people living here. Dennis on my floor is good at communications. He wrote a letter that did not blame or criticize and had suggestions for solutions. We still didn’t know what cased the problem.  Many did take there things off the walls and some left them up. On October first we had notices on our doors that everything on wall could remain until further notice. We haven’t heard a word  about it since then.

This building has Hud housing, apartments for low income people. It has a staff for maintaining the building and running the office, Minimum. Other retirement buildings may hire people to do planed activities and other things. Here it is the residents that volunteer. This brings people together, form friendships and work and help each other. You get to know some amazing people that you appreciate and enrich your own life. I am grateful and blessed to live here. It is a special place.

It was still warm here in Eugene in September. I took more dips in the river. On October 12th Prem, who has a car, took us to Mount Pisgah where there is a swim hole on the river. The water is also a little warmer there. It was a beautiful day. That was the last swim of the season.

My two sons and families are fine. Chris and Diane still have the cannabis farm. Doug has been working on this dad’s music and is posting it on you tube. He has upgraded the Bechler web site. Go to Charlie Bechler and friends and the web site www.bechler-arts.com .  Christina works on a farm in Damariscotta. Most of my time with Chris is at his farm in the summer.He takes me to his house for dinners and this fall we watched together the Oregon Ducks collage football games. The Ducks won every game this year.

Some of Diane’s family gathered  at Seaside Oregon for Thanksgiving. Dian’s daughter and husband own a house there. There were 15 people for the feast. The weather was perfect, three days of sun and no wind. A small Aquariam was near by, off of the boardwalk that  goes the length of the beach. All kinds of displays of marine life but the best part was watching the seals. They have a pool up front where  you could feed them. Seals are very acrobatic and have tricks to get your attention to throw the food toward them. The house where we had Thanksgiving only has a couple of bedrooms so most of the family members had to stay at hotels. I stayed at a hotel, right on the beach. There was a jacuzzi in my room with a window that faced the beach. The first time I used it I watched the sun go down over the ocean. It was very luxurious.

The Halliday season begins the day after Thanksgiving,  lights, decorations and Christmas trees.  Many events are scheduled in December here in Ya Po Ah, birthday party, with a mens coral group singing Christmas music, Christmas dinner and Christmas party. Ya Po Ah bus took us  on  a trip to see the light displays  in two areas in town. We saw the musical Oliver at the shed and their Christmas concert. Lastly we went to a play at the Oregon Contemporary Theater

The traditions of the Christmas season are a combination of many celebrations of rituals and customs from people around the would. The winter solstice. is an important time of year The time from moving out of darkness into the light. It was not just Jesus born December 25 but many gods had the same birthday, Hermes, Buddha, Krishna, Horus, Heracles, Adonis, Dionysus,  Zarathustra, Mitra, and Tammuz.

Here are some of things that changed and influenced current Halliday traditions

I grew up in a time when almost every Christmas had snow. Snow became a popular  theme of Christmas after Charles Dickens, wrote A Christmas Carol. Back in his day it snowed in England as it was the end of the little ice age. A Christmas Carol did much to promote a renewed enthusiasm for the joys of Christmas in Britain and America. The book was published on December 19 1843 and 6,000 sold out by Christmas Eve.

The greatest message in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol was the inequalities of the times. Scrooge was shone the reality of how people lived and survived..Scrooge  learned that his accumulation of money did not bring joy or happiness  and very important, it is possible for a despicable person to change  and become a caring and loved person.

 Here is one quote , Marley, Scrooge’s business partner says   "Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my  business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy,  forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my  trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my  business!"

Saint Nicklas was the original person who loved children and gave gifts. In 1931.Coca‑Cola commissioned Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom, to develop advertising images using Santa Claus. — Sunbeam got his inspiration from Clement Clark Moore's 1822 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (commonly called "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"). Moore's description of St. Nick led to an image of a warm, friendly, pleasantly plump and human Santa. 

Christmas, the time I love best . As the earth rotates around  the sun it moves through the seasons. In New England, the four seasons ,- Spring, - new growth, -Summer,- hot , green, full,  Fall, -harvest ,brilliant color, Winter, -cold, dark, renewal. All life starts in darkness, all seeds germinate in darkness, all animals come from a womb. Dark and light ,the two sides of a coin, the yin and yang. It is the Christmas Hollidays coming on the darkest days , yes I love it.

It is the contrasts of winter I love. In side my home in Maine, warm and secure I watched the storms and accumulation of snow as it drifted into magical shapes. Coming into the house out of the cold is the wonderful feeling of warmth and the smell of the wood burning in the stove.

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Christmas for me wouldn’t be Christmas with out the Christmas tree. I always have a live tall tree, and I decorate my whole living space with fir branches. I have candles, and lights , and all my bears and decorations collected through the years. Christmas Day was is the time our families got together.  Christmas is a time for friend to celebrate. Every year I had a pot luck Christmas party. We feasted, and told stores, had interesting conversations and exchanged a small gift from Santa’s big basket . As I grow older the memories accumulate .

A friend sent me a letter that was to be read after her friends death. Summarized it said  

Don’t let fear fuel your choices. Don’t worry about what people think about you. Be true to yourself. Be intentional about cultivating friendships that lift you up.

LOVE YOURSELF no matter how weird and silly it might feel. Say to yourself, out loud, “I trust you.” What I know, deep in my bones, is that learning to love myself has led me to be able to say this: I’m so proud of how I lived.

May you, dear reader, feel the same when you head out on your soul journey, too. Until then, enjoy the ride.

Another wrote  

Be soft soft soft ... When you think there is "NO TIME!" take time ... There is time ... This is the only time ~ I want to live in a world where hearts come first, and I have to start with ask for help ~ connection is the thing we will remember in the end .

Quotes

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart” — Eleanor Roosevelt

“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.” — Tom Baker

“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." — Agnes M. Pharo

You don’t have to do anything to contribute to a world for peace . Just be!! just be the loving person you are and your light will radiate out to the world and beyond.

I Love life and am grateful for all experiences on this beautiful planet especially those of friendships that have helped me along my path. HAPPY NEW YEAR

bill and Charlie

  This painting was painted many years ago in  Newburyport. I don't have a good memory but I remember painting this one on my birthday. Bill was living with us at the time. They have on their jackets because the house was cold.

Bill and Charlie

 

Christmas 2023

Winter Night.      
Our house, Audrey, Charlie, Douglas and Christina
There is no place like home

 

CHRISTMAS 2023

This is the first day after Christmas Day and I am starting my letter of my life in 2023. 

At 87 I am upright on two feet, not a pain in my body, but the energy is becoming less and less, and the grocery bags heaver and heaver. Last March the pacemaker was replaced because the battery was running out of the one I had for 8 years. I just wish they could charge up my body. I had the virus or whatever was going around and I was tired and weak for longer then  I expected. One gets along with a little help from friends. Every day is precious and everything is done with awareness. Life is wonderful as it always has been , just slower. 

This year I went to Maine June and July and stayed with Doug and Christina in the old homestead.I flew with Lucy, Christina’s daughter and Johnny, from Eugene to Boston than a bus to Portland where Doug picked us up. Lucy’s Grandfather turned 90 and there was a party for him and Lucy and Johnny had a party for their friends because they are were getting  married in September in Eugene. Not many would  be crossing the country for that.   

It was an amazing lush year for everything growing, flowers, to blossoming trees. Fist fields of buttercups and lupine then followed  by the hedges of rosa rugosa roses, filling the air with their fragrance. It was cooler and wetter than usual and I didn’t get into the water until July. The ocean water is getting warmer and warmer. It was quit comfortable to stay in for a while. I didn’t stray from the house, painted outside in the yard, or places up and down the street. I painted along the shore sitting on the granite rocks and if the tide was right I would slip into the water and float  for a little bit and then with a cold body warm up on the granite heated by the sun. In all the years I lived on Back Cove I could skinny dip because there was never anyone around. I painted 19 paintings of Maine. I met with old friends, went to shows and galleries and took a few trips with Doug and Christina.Of course I had my fill of lobster, clams and seafood. I also helped Doug with sorting out my paintings. He took photos an I wrote a little description for each one. It took awhile. Everything takes longer than you think it will. Then it was time to go back to the West coast. Doug drove me back to Boston for my flight. Charlie’s sister Cookie, her daughter, and Charlie’s other sister Sue’s children came from Quincy and we met and had lunch together. Sue died a couple of years ago. I am glad we had a little time together. 

 The Farnsworth Museum had a show of Edward Hoppers paintings done when he summered in Rockland in 1926. Along with his paintings were Andrew Wyeth’s painting of Rockland done  forty years latter. I saw that show three times. Rockland has a museum and about twenty galleries.It is interesting to get the history of different times in a place. Rockland in 1926 was a city of 9 thousand with all kinds of industries that supported each other, railways, trolly lines, the beginning of automobiles . There were all kinds of trade people, stores, fish factories etc. In 1962 Charlie worked at the Thorndike Hotel In Rockland.. The hotel built in 1857 was still in use in 1962, owned by the  brother of Louse Nevelson the famous painter sculptor. The city had fallen into decay. Downtown was empty and boarded up, yet this was the time Wyeth was painting in the area. (It is interesting to note that in 1962 in the club in the Thorndike Hotel we met and became friends with a person that sold real estate. This person showed us the home we bought in 1984 on Back Cove Waldoboro.) 

When  Charlie and I moved to Newburyport in 1968 and the city was abandoned, deteriorating, beautiful buildings covered with asphalt shingles, a city that  was famous for shipbuilding,  trading clipper ships, one of the most beautiful cities on the East Coast going back to pre revolution times. With real-estate prices being so low in Newburyport back in the 60s creative people moved in started fixing up the homes, bring back downtown. Now the houses in Newburyport cost half a million or more. On Back Cove in Waldoboro a place I lived for 32 years nothing changed, a few barns fell down. No one was able to change the  downtown of empty storefronts, new little business came and went. I think it best we don’t know the future, otherwise we would never take the adventures we do, always thinking it will come out ok. Yet connecting the dots is interesting. I have probably lived through the fastest changers in the world  from the invention of TV to internet to iPhones, communication on a global scale. I don’t understand how any of it works. 

When I left Maine the weather there continued to be wetter then usual. Back in Eugene August was hot and dry. It seldom rains in Eugene in the summer and it can get hot, a few days of 100. I rode my trike to the river to cool off. The temperature  of the river water was colder than the ocean water in Back Cove. Our apartments do have air condition units. I live on the north side and don’t get sunlight so my apt is cooler. Chris took me to the cannabis farm if the weather wasn’t to hot. I would bring my watercolors and paint outside or read a book. I like to wander around the farm, look in the green houses, see what’s growing, check out the chickens and the vegetable garden that managed to produce vegetables, chocked with weeds and covered with cucumber  beetles. I help out a little bit, in the spring planting vegetable seed and later picking vegetables and sorting out bins of onions or potatoes. Chris would have me to dinner every couple of weeks. I always look forward to those meals because I have never had food anywhere that is as good as what he makes. 

August rolled by and then Lucy and Johnny got married Sept 2nd at Johnny’s parents home in Eugene. A  large sprawling house, open spaces and high cathedral ceiling, big wooden beams and beautiful wooden floors. There is a deck around the outside where guests sat at tables and ate. I love this house in the country  surrounded by  woods. It is like a museum with beautiful art on the walls. However I wouldn’t want to live there. Lucy and Johnny ,the bride maids and  groom men did a dance routine for the guests. Luce has a friend that is a dance teacher and she choreographed the dance. Everyone loved it. It was a a nice day and a beautiful wedding. Lucy works at the university  and Johnny works at landscaping. He loves trees. They bought a little house in Eugene.

In the fall everyone was coming down with the flue and many residents at Ya Po Ah got it including me. It was mild but left me tired and weak. I still haven’t got my strength back. Ya Po Ah is like a little community, a diversified group of over 200 residents, The 2nd floor has a dinning room, entertainment area, TV room with a pool table  and a library.  It is used by card players, knitters, music group, line dance group, philosophy, tai chi, exercise, bingo, birthday parties. We have a Resident Association that meets once a month where all the heads of committees talk about what’s happening and upcoming events. We have a bus that takes people grocery shopping. The bus also takes us on trips, the coast and other places of interest. Also outside are about 50 garden spaces. Mine is 12 x 4 feet which is the largest size.  Christopher lives about a five minute drive from here. This building includes hud housing. I pay a third of my social security for rent. I have never been so well off. 

Ya Po AH was built in the 60s. It is the tallest building in Eugene. It sits at the base of Skinners Butte with trees behind the building so it doesn’t stick up like it would if it was in the middle of the city. However there are only two elevators for 18 floor. They break down a lot because of constant use. Everyone waits for the elevator. It is the place where you meet people and get the news. All the friends I have live in Ya Po Ah. Chris  and Lucy and Johnny are the only people  that live in the city that I know. My small world revolves in and around this building. I see a lot of people here, say hallo, make small talk in the garden or around. I have a few friends that I know fairly well and enjoy their company. Alike draws alike so my friends don’t fit into normal reality. They have interesting histories as we all do when we look back to our younger selves. I like hearing their stories. There are some very talented  people that live here, and people that are generous and give of  there time helping out in a lot of things that go on here, like helping  in the dining room or kitchen or collecting recycled cans from the trash closet every day. There is a couple of people that work in the gardens almost every day. Of course we look after each other when we need help. I am lucky to live here.

I have to say that earth is heaven for me. I love being physical. I am not interested in sitting meditating waiting to experience bliss. I like the feeling of all the senses, hot showers, cold ocean and warm rocks, the taste of Christopher’s cooking,  the sound of calling seagulls, and wind rustling  the leaves or wind roaring, causing the sea to crash over rocks like thunder. I like the smell of new mowed grass and the fragrance of lilacs. I look at nature with wonder and appreciation of it’s beauty. I see the potential of thousands of paintings I want to make.

Humans as flawed as we are have created magnificent cathedrals, temples, carvings, tapestries, all art, music, dance, poetry, great inventions. Yes greed and power have caused wars but always comes rebuilding. Creativity is our nature. Imagination is our inspiration.

 

When I got to Eugene I had to put my paintings in storage. However over 100 paintings are hanging in the halls of Ya Po Ah  some of my best paintings. There are two  galleries in Eugene that show professional artists paintings. They have their roster of artists and have shows booked in advance. A city of over 150 thousand population,  two art galleries !!!  Just think every town of a few thousands people along the coast of Maine has a gallery or artist studios to visit. Portland Maine has a wonderful museum and the colleges and universities also have great museums. I never knew how lucky I have been to see so much art, original paintings. 

Eugene does have great Muriels  that cover the whole side of buildings. They are all over the city. Eugene also has fine crafts and every Saturday in the summer outside is a place where they set up their booths. It is a fun place with food vendors and live music. Also in the same area is the farmers market, one of the oldest in the country. I go to the Farmers market every week I can, fresh organic vegetables and bakery booths with  crusty breads and sweet pastries. I love the people of Eugene, friendly and helpful.

Thanksgiving this year was in Ashland. Diane’s brother, daughter and family live in Ashland. Her mother also lived there and she pasted on this year. Diane is Chris ’s wife.  Ashland is special during the Hollidays, a beautiful decorated down town with many interesting shops. It is know for it’s Shakespeare Theatre. The Halliday season starts the day after Thanksgiving. I love it because it is my favorite time of year.  Christ bought my tree and put it up for me, and helped with the lights. It is the best tree I have ever had, 8 feet with space between the branches to get all my ornaments hung. 

Ya Po AH puts on a Christmas dinner for the residents, We have a Christmas party and a trip to see the lights of the decorated homes in the north side of Eugene, a residential area of about 5 blocks. This is a holiday tradition in that neighborhood that has been going on for years, and many people drive around to see the displays.  I have never see anything like it. This year Christmas was at Christ and Diane’s house. Chris picked me up in the morning. Diane made breakfast, pancakes and bacon. Early afternoon a friend came over and we opened our stockings. Chris made dinner, roast pork. I haven’t had pork for years. Of cause anything Chris cooks is delicious. In the evening we watched a Christmas move.

It is now the 4th day of Christmas. I celebrate all 12 days, put on all my lights, listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas movies and admire my magnificent  tree. I miss the snow. I prayed for snow back on the East coast when I was little. I love all the stories of the north pole, snow and light and  magic. Miracles happen and Santa’s generosity  is in the hearts of people.  His spirit never dies. It is a wonderful contrast, the cold dark winter nights. Animals burring down in there protective holes, resting, dreaming. Humans coming out of the cold, entering warm homes heated with wood in fireplaces and stoves. Light shines from windows onto the snow. This is not a fairy tale, it was real for me living in Maine.There is something wonderful about surviving in the cold. It is a challenge, a time to be prepared for. It is satisfying , comforting . The best part of Christmas is sharing, being together with friends and family, all ages together, children to grandparents. 

Of course we can’t all have friends to celebrate with or a wonderful cooked meal to share. Yes there are those out in the dark, homeless and many of them live here in Eugene. Be thankful for what you have and pray for those without. We must imagine  a better world and believe it will change, believe without any doubt, believe knowing it will change into a world with compassion, tolerance without judgement. Together the energy is growing, spiraling toward peace. I feel blessed to be alive now in these times as chaotic as it is appears because I see a better future and I am helping with the millions of other souls to manifest this future reality. As it says in big letters on the top of Ya Po AH    “PEACE ON EARTH.”

May your love energy radiate out into the world. Everything is connected. Peace health and happiness. Merry Christmas to all

A few quotes for inspiration

All winter long    beneath every snowing. Guess what we saw  beneath every snowing,   a thaw

And a growing,  a greening and growing.          Native American  

Again, again we come and go,    changed, changing.  Hands join, un-join in love and fear,   

grief and joy. The circles turn,  each giving into each, into all.    Wendell Berry

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’ m Possible!”   Audrey Hepburn

If my mind can conceive it,   if my heart can believe it,  then I can achieve it.    Muhammad Ali

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance —each beautiful, unique and gone to soon.

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are things we can’t see.  

The Polar Express. 

 

Christmas

This years tree is the best one I have ever had. It is 8 feet with lots of space to get the ornaments on. 

There are ornaments from the 1960s till now, three new ones this year. 

for me the tree is Christmas. I celebrate the whole 12 days. I am wishing everyone a Wonderfull Holiday, peace , health and joy.

houses on the north end of Eugene that have fantastic light displays

my nativity

This is a huge estate