Winter's Harsh Light

The harsh light of midwinter washed out the background of this photo, but for some reason, I really like the effect. As someone on one my groups said, it looks very much like a mixed-media piece with the lines of siding of the house drawn in by hand. Hope you enjoy.

Joy Journal: a good night's sleep last night

Winter, Winter Go Away!

We have a photography challenge going on one of the few groups I participate in and the subject this time is "Cold". So far, I haven't been able to come up with a photo that really gets that message across but believe me, there is plenty of "cold" to go around in Atlanta this week. And it's supposed to get even colder by the end of the week. NO!! I hate cold! I am such a summer person. Do you realize that to get a "cold" picture I have to actually physically get out in the cold! What was I thinking when I suggested this theme!!!!!!! I'll get that picture - but it may kill me {grin}. And to think, I used to love to ski.


Joy Journal: Drinking hot chocolate while all wrapped up in a Snuggie in my recliner!

I Wonder...

I've never been big on decorating the whole house for Christmas, I have a full time job after all. And I now have additional caretaker duties too. But I do love to have a Christmas tree. And I always have a real tree, not an artificial one. Yes, to me it's worth the fuss and bother of cleaning pine needles out of the carpet. This year we managed to get the tree up and decorated about a week after Thanksgiving, which is almost a miracle considering that my mother is pretty demanding of my time. Thankfully, Saint Gene pulled his usual wonderfulness and went out and bought the tree and set it up one day while my mother and I were at the mall doing her Christmas shopping.

I loved going into the family room at night after everyone else was in bed, turning off the room lights and just sitting and enjoying the glow of the Christmas lights and ornaments, using that time to unwind and slow my mind. The soft scent of the evergreen, the twinkle of the little lights woven through the interior of the tree, the pride I feel in the beauty of the ornaments I make, all make for a good experience.

But now the tree is gone. And the room, which was somewhat crowded with the big tree, now looks so barren and empty.

I wonder why we decorate with such abandon only once a year?

I miss my Christmas tree.

Joy Journal: The wonderful cup of coffee I had while still in bed this morning.

Sunshine On My Shoulders Makes Me Happy

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry,
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely,
Sunshine almost always makes me high.

I loved [still love] John Denver.

It's been so gloomy for the past few weeks and the bright, crisp sunshine today was a welcome blessing. The wind kept it from being warm sunshine, but it was sunshine and it was golden and it was shiny and it was wonderful. And I have a free night with no baby-sitting. And it's going to be sunshiny again tomorrow. Blessings, they are all around us.

Joy Journal: The clear, radiant view of Stone Mountain, with the sun shining on it, from our office windows

Welcome, 2009

Good riddance to 2008.

I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions this year. 2008 continually pointed out to me that most things are totally out of my control. The ability to roll with the punches and to keep getting back up when knocked down were the character traits most needed and most used in 2008.

2009 is going to be challenging. But both my husband and I have good, relatively secure jobs, our home is paid for and our health seems good. Our life has changed a lot now that my mother has moved in with me but overall it is still a pretty good life and I am thankful. So, welcome, 2009, I still have high hopes for you.

Happy New Year to all of you who stop by occasionally. I wish you peace and fulfillment in the coming year. And my prayer is that God will keep you in his care.

Joy Journal: Beautiful sunshine is streaming through my windows on this cold day.