Dear friends, at this time of the year, I wish you would enjoy the spirit of Christmas, which is Peace; the gladness of Christmas, which is Hope; and the heart of Christmas, which is Love. MERRY CHRISTMAS, dear ones!
Friday, December 25, 2020
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Socializing: Pre-CHRISTMAS Reunion 2020
As we are nearing the completion of this very different and tumultuous 2020, tonight (Tuesday - December 22'20) we had our usual year-end gathering...it was the perfect time to speak about some old seasonal customs, to sing few traditional Christmas carols, to recite several dear poems appropriate for the occasion & to simply share a number of unforgettable childhood stories...without any doubt, a peaceful instance to bring each other joy, to bond, to reconnect & to create new memories.
Once again, dear friends - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your ongoing, loving, support, which is deeply appreciated!
I hope that the distinct peace and joy of this very special season would stay with you throughout the year ahead! 
Monday, December 21, 2020
December 21, 2020: WINTER Solstice
Winter solstice marks the arrival of winter in our Northern Hemisphere, so at this time of the year I'm wishing you all a safe and pleasant season!
"When life gives you snow, make snow angels."
The year of 2020 will end with a very interesting astronomical occurrence...the closest great conjunction of two different planets is happening, when Jupiter and Saturn will almost touch in the sky.
● Additional references:
> Jupiter and Saturn converging in the night sky, shown in weekly intervals. This simulation is for New York (USA), but the great conjunction on December 21, 2020, can be seen all over the world.
> Excerpts:
- "On 12.21.2020 (the December solstice), Jupiter and Saturn will align so closely in the nigh sky that they will create a radiant point of light, some call 'Solstice Star', 'Star of Bethlehem', or the 'Christmas Star', said an expert."
- "Alignments between these two planets are rather rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another", said Patrick Hartigan, an astronomer at Rice University. "You would have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226 (nearly 800 ago), to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky", said astronomer Hartigan.
> ARTICLE: "For the First Time in 800 Years, a 'Christmas Star' Will Illuminate the Skies This Month"
> ARTICLE: "The December 2020 Great Conjunction"
> ARTICLE (via "The Globe and Mail" / Canada): "How to see and photograph the great conjunction of 2020"
> ARTICLE (via "CBC News"): "Christmas Star 2020: Jupiter, Saturn to meet in rare <great conjunction>"
> ARTICLE (via "The Sun"): "Great Conjunction 2020 LIVE: Watch Jupiter & Saturn 'nearly touch' TONIGHT on winter solstice plus meteor shower"
> ARTICLE (via "International Business Times" / Science section): "Is 'Christmas Star' Visible on Winter Solstice 2020? How to Watch Great Conjunction"