"Metalsome"

Another version of a non traditional Christmas tree. Sterling silver and Dichroic glass. What do you love about Christmas? What do you loathe? Is there one special person you exchange handmade gifts with? What is one tradition you could easily depart from? Why haven't you?

My friend Cheryl--best friend from college-- arrives in 2 weeks. Haven't seen her in years. We'll go ice skating. Gallery wandering. Coffee drinking. She arrives 3 day's before my 43rd birthday and the novelty of her presence is a present. It's harder to make friends the older I get. (It's not just a matter of being a hermit---but the pool seems to have narrowed dramatically.) Solution? Try harder? Be a friend? Be open to new experiences? (Gasp!) I have one friend who claims it's all about lowering one's expectations. He makes a far better Buddhist than I do. We'll see. Reflecting on metal. Reflecting on friendship. It's not flame that makes soldier flow. It's the heat of the metal surrounding it. What makes friendship flow?