Boxing Day

Today, the day after Christmas, is the lesser known holiday of Boxing Day.  A British tradition from a long ago time when servants had to work on the Christmas holiday and had the next day off to celebrate and visit with their own families.  The servants would receive a Christmas box from their employers as a present for their service during the year.

Boxing Day was celebrated in the United States until independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.  Now there are some Boxing Day events at historic locations within the US, and I have found one to go to today where there will be a sale of British goods and foods as well as a tour of a home right near one of the battles for independence.


In trying to think of something to leave for finders on Boxing Day, I thought of the lesser seen $2 bill.  It seems a lesser known holiday could be celebrated with a lesser known bill.  Plus the $2 features Thomas Jefferson who was one of the founding fathers responsible for helping separate the United States from Great Britain and leading to the end of the Boxing Day festivities in the new world. 

Hope the finders can buy themselves a little treat for the holiday.  Perhaps a cup of British tea. 

Annual Ornament Gifts

I have chosen my ornaments for what has become my annual tradition of leaving ornaments for finders.  Regardless of religion, a sparkly ornament can  make a lovely addition to a tree, doorknob, peg board, etc.  May they bring a little joy into the hearts of the finders.

Birdies in the Grass

On a recent weekend in Kansas City I had a whole day to just enjoy the city with no set plans.  I started the day at the free tour at Hallmark Cards.  The museum walked through all the cards, movies, bows and wrapping paper, ornaments, etc. that the company has ever made.  There was also a bow making machine making free souvenirs at the push of a button!

 

Hallmark, a family owned business deeply rooted in the KC community, has been very generous to the community and especially generous to the Nelson-Atkins Museum which as a result has an impressive collection and is always free.  So after meeting up with a dear friend for lunch we went to the museum to wander through the contemporary art wing and then around the grounds.  The museum has an outdoor sculpture park and is known for the birdies on the lawn.

The day had me feeling so good that I left a few gifts around and even snapped a couple pictures after they were dropped off which is a rarity.

 

Joining Social Media

After existing only in the blog world for 5 years, the time has come to join Facebook in order to better connect with followers and gift finders.  Going forward all posts will be on both the blog and Facebook.

If you follow my blog and are on Facebook please like my page.

Riding the Rails

Last week I had to travel from Boston to Philadelphia, and after consideration of driving, flying or riding the rails, I decided the train was the route to go. 

There is something peaceful about riding a train and watching the world go by outside the window.  Although I rode to Philadelphia on a weekday fully booked train, I took a much less crowded train back on a Saturday and found time to read, write emails to friends, work on some art projects, etc. 

While I brought a few magazines to read, I also read the usual seat back staple Amtrak magazine which got me thinking about leaving some messages within the pages for other travelers.  Since I rode until the very last stop, toward the end of my trip I was able to move to many empty seats and leave the below message in several copies of the magazine.

Little Libraries

As a child I remember so enjoying the nightly reading of a book or two with my parents and eventually on my own.  Summer reading contests at my local library where there was a healthy competition to read the most books among my siblings and neighbors were an annual event.

I have continued to love reading into adulthood.  Mysteries tend to fill my shelves now as they help me escape the everyday.  When I have a book with me on a bus or the subway sometimes it can be a conversation starter with another rider or even a co-worker when on my desk at work.

While I probably should use the library more than I do as it would be a savings over the course of the year, I just don't find myself getting there.  I have noticed in my community little free libraries, though and they are so appealing!

The Free Little Library is a non-profit that began in 2009 and now has so many involved.  Participants either buy or build the most adorable little boxes that they then fill with books.  Community members can walk by and both take and leave books.  All of this is free!

I was driving home from the grocery store this week and noticed yet another new such library in my community.  I am going to leave bookmarks in a few boxes near by as I think the types of individuals who are likely to participate are also those likely to enjoy a random kindness from the Undercover Ladybug.

Colorful Moon

Tonight there will be a rare Blood Moon in the night sky.  It is a supermoon lunar eclipse and the sky in my area is predicted to be clear allowing for an amazing view.  Yet another colorful natural occurrence in the fall to match the changing leaves.  All the fields are also turning brown as corn stalks give way to corn mazes. 


Like every season of the year, the fall is a great time to be creative and artistic making Halloween costumes, carving pumpkins, planting mums, etc.  How about some sidewalk or driveway drawing?  :)