Merry Be

A Festive eCard

This Send A Blessing eCard was inspired by a version of Greensleeves on Christesmas in Anglia by the Ensemble for Early Music, directed by Frederick Renz. I found this LP in the ‘80s in a bin Tower Records on East 4th St. and Broadway in Greenwich Village. I have always loved Greensleeves and its bittersweet, haunting tune. This ancient version gave insight into how people celebrated the new year in medieval England.

One winter when Tim and I lived in North Boulder, Colorado, two mama deer decided to make our backyard “Deer Daycare.” The does and their three fawns jumped the high fence to shelter under our trees, away from the threat of coyotes. I was able to capture closeups of the deer, which inspired me to hunt down other animals on nearby farms and paddocks, including sheep, horses, an American Brahman bull (also called a Brahma Bull), and llamas.

Near our home was a farm with over a hundred llamas of all colors. One day, traveling the road that made a right angle at the farm, we were behind a station wagon with a strange occupant. I took it for the driver’s aunt, wearing a most odd bonnet. Her head was quite skinny and I wondered what had befallen her, perhaps some strange birth defect or disease. “Something’s terribly wrong with that person,” I said. Tim agreed and we both fastened our eyes on the passenger, who leaned at quite an angle. As we turned the corner, the station wagon rolled straight towards the llama farm gate, and we caught a glimpse of the “aunt’s” face. She had a very long, furry nose indeed!

Another time, we drove into the llama farm. I love animals and sidled against the fence, as close to the herd as possible, clucking the way I used to call my palomino steed at summer camp. A white llama ambled toward me, her head cocked with curiosity. I smiled and leaned closer. The llama began kissing my forehead from the left ear all the way up across the hairline and down to my right ear—eleven kisses! I have rarely felt so blessed and would have stolen her for my own, except we only had a Volvo.

For the interior scenes, a friend lent us use of her elaborate home. I was able to shoot from an overhead walkway that looked down on the great room to capture the adults dancing. So many beautiful people volunteered their time, helped assemble costumes, and performed simple choreography to tell a story of celebrating at the darkest hour of the year.

I wish you every joy and festivity of the season! May your days be filled with great food, good friends, and magical moments!