Live Each Season

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each

Henry David Thoreau

Winter will be passed, and then spring, and before you know it, winter again. Don't wish away your days spent inside keeping warm longing for the next season. Instead, make a quilt, read a book, discover something you've forgotten about, something way, way back in the attic. Let it take you to a memory, then perhaps, write a poem, a short story, paint a picture or share your recollection with another.

See the Blue Jay?

My new winter companion

Ta-Da!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My present from Santa: This new old looking thing has a radio, will play records and cds! The first one ordered came from California and didn't have a cd player (my bad, I ordered the wrong one). Let me tell ya, it's not cheap to send a big ole' thing like this back to California a week before Christmas, but we did. Luckily, my sister had stowed away all these old albums, some of which were our mom's. Listening to these albums was like peeking through a window into the past. Besides listening to old records and making jewelry art and painting, there isn't much more exciting news to release. However, when you consider all the stress you get from watching the news on television with all their exaggerations, fear tactics and down out big fat lies, it must be refreshing to read my blog. lolo!!!

State Parks are vital to sanity

Ahhhh!!! It's over. I loved it, every bit, but it's over and now my normal routine way of life is a major welcomed sight. After Christmas I think I sat in my lazy boy chair for about, oh say, 3 days. No, not three days, but for sure a good 8 hours!!

A few days after I went to a state park in our area, Quail Hollow, where I have gone for years and years to get back my sanity. So many good memories at this place.

There are trails galore and the herb garden is, I think, the largest in Ohio. The mansion, well, it's old and it has a beautiful personality! Here's some pics of the place. The sky was as blue as the air was cold. I about froze my fingers off taking these snaps.

A blessed New Year to all of you and a special congrats to our friends who just had their first grandchild and to my nephew's just-born yesterday, baby boy.

Life!

I have said, many, many times, if my home in Heaven is like Quail Hollow....that would be wonderful!

And, since I'll live for eternity, then there will be plenty of time to do all the upkeep for a home like this!

(Miss Ellie Mae in her smashing faux fur prancing about the grounds.

ooh! la! la!)

http://worriersanonymous.org/Share/Oholynight.htm This video is so moving!

Everything thing matters!

It's a busy time of year for everyone and that leaves little time to blog!

I found this old oil painting I did in 1989. It was packed in a box with some books, way back in the remote areas of the attic.

I really like old decorations the best as they envoke such fond memories. I'm lucky, I know, that I have fond memories of Christmas, the sort that stay in your heart for life and serve as a reminder that you are loved and wanted.

Now, I'm deeply appreciative of all the time and trouble my parents and siblings put into this blessed holiday and realize the importance of Christmas devotions, and want to continue the tradition so that my daughter, nieces, and nephews can know they are loved and wanted.

If you make pretty things for the house, or take so much time and trouble to get the Christmas Ham.

Whatever your contribution is, never think it's not worth it. IT IS!!

The past 9 days

Everyday, I draw and write about my day in my journal. This week's entries were just crumbs.

Man, oh man. I've been in such a slump! It all started a couple days before Thanksgiving; feeling sluggish and uninspired. Then my daughter informs me she has a bad cold. I felt bad for her but darn it, if she would get proper rest she wouldn't keep bringing colds home for me to catch.

I had hadThanksgiving Day had all figured out Martha Stewart style, but when the day actually came my body said, "ah, no, it's going to be cranky style."

My daughter sniffled and the in-laws, well God love them, they make their own special sounds.

(just kidding mom and dad!!!!!!!!) yikes.

Everything grated on my nerves. Next day, I was so sick with a sore throat, fever and chills. I put on my winter knit hat, my dad's old sweater and wrapped myself up in a blanket to discover that daytime t.v. is trash.

Thanksgiving weekend, and following week were planned to be one of great accomplishments, because? because my husband went hunting for a week which means most of my domestic time eating chores were on the shelf for awhile and I would have had great and long spans of time to do projects.

Thank the good Lord for the Lawrence Welk Show, thats all I gotta say.

I live in the stone age don't forget.

Anywho, the entire week I was sick with a cold and felt rotten.

I cut my foot too, just a little.

My brother sent me a box of apples from Pennsylvania which I thought was the sweetest thing in the world and I do believe it got me over the hump.

Next day? I felt like my mood was a rain cloud stuck over my head and trying to drown me.

Today? I counted my blessings, my cold is on it's way out and I'm in a much better mood.

Woopeedoo.

I know, its big news.

When the coffee tastes best

Maybe it is from having a father who loved winter. My dad went ice fishing every day in the winter, hunted or went for walks. He saw winter as an adventure.

Or, maybe I remember how happy mom was when dad was out of the house all day!

Especially after he retired.

I love winter!!♥

It provides a peaceful quiet by keeping noisy people inside their homes and off their motorcycles and lawn mowers. It also keeps me inside where I can stay focused on a task rather than in summer when I'm torn between working in the garden or working in my studio.

A couple nights ago it had snowed most of the night and by morning the sky had cleared and a beautiful sunrise took over gradually making it's way to my house.

These treasures of winter would not be so lovely if I didn't have my family, a warm place to live, plenty of food to eat and little to worry about. To delight in simple every day things is much easier if your tummy is full and you are warm and safe. I know this, and I am grateful.

I do not take it for granted, or assume it will always be.

Before the ice is in the pools, Before the skaters go, Or any cheek at nightfall Is tarnished by the snow,

Before the fields have finished,Before the Christmas tree, Wonder upon wonder Will arrive to me!

-Emily Dickinson

I wish you an invigorating winter's walk, a warm and happy home to return to and a cup of hot coffee!