Reflecting on the Year Gone By

                                                    T. Remington photo
  Well Folks, it seems I've survived another year aboard the Big Blue Marble we call Earth. The photo above was taken near our home and the chair overlooks the area in general facing west toward New Hampshire. The views in the area all seem to call out demanding to be photographed, although the views will outlast most images of them.
  The year has been interesting. Lost a good friend in the opening days with the passing of 'Brother Tim' O'Donnell, and surprisingly few after that, a condition I hope lasts until at least year's end. Illness seemed to be a constant companion this year, although we've survived them all so far in fairly good shape. At least we're more or less intact.
   Last winter was mild, so this will likely be wild, at least that's what my Uncle 'R' used to tell me growing up on the farm. If the old place wasn't gone back to forest and a few new homes & cottages, we'd be laying in winter food in the pantries & ice cellar. Hunting season meant cows & horses sporting white paint if they were brown or tan, nice hand painted signs on their sides identifying them as cow, horse, mule, etc for the enlightenment of the city hunters from 'away' who shot whatever moved at times. Time to roll out the snow fences and pack the hay in the barns neatly for easy access. Other repairs as needed. Much easier these days, having far less winterizing to do. Still, always plenty needed to allow us to co-exist with Nature here.
  I'm really hoping the next year sees much less rancor and far more progress in many areas. Politics, GLBT issues, racial tolerance & acceptance of ALL beings we share the Marble with. If they dropped all cable 'News & Commentary' and brought back more newspapers and news magazines I'd be happier. Even if the 'Net' stays as it is. A bit too outrageous to expect, up there with the 'Great Pumpkin'.
   Made a few new friends & lost very few old ones, got a new-old vehicle, a 'power chair' so I can function more effectively about the house. Lost one more of our furry family members to old age. She was one of the two we first took in in 1993 and we lost her sister in spring the previous year. Down to three, the eldest being almost fifteen years old.
    Well, as seems to me, it was a pretty good, pretty peaceful year all things considered. If the folks at Yahoo ever get my main address for e-mail to reappear it'll be a slight improvement to a good year. I also found a new friend via the 'Blogosphere' at http://missgmb.blogspot.com/  who wrote this little poem that struck me as very nice.

Something Old

My mind on what is to come

Visions of the seasons i'm leaving

All the hard work that i've done

All that's ahead is dreaming

As I recall people and memories

The want and need to get away

Now free to float on any breeze

Somehow I choose to stay 

   

    Until next we meet, stay safe, stay well, hug all you can, and love as much as possible, and live as large as you can.

Time to Reflect

Well folks, it's that time of year when I reflect on all that's transpired in the past year. Lost some friends to the ravages of life, gained some new ones, had ill health and good health. Not rich, not needy. Family is doing well and so am I. Guess this year will go in the 'great' column of the old score book. I only have two columns that I use, 'really great' and 'pretty great' as I think any year I'm allowed to enjoy life and our beautiful 'Big Blue Marble' of a world has to be at least 'pretty great'. Thought I'd share a couple of my 'reflecting on the past year' favorite songs. Anyone of any religion or even no religion at all can relate to the sentiments and scenery as this is a truly wondrous planet we're allowed to 'borrow' for awhile. As a wise man once said, "I don't question whether or not there's a Creator, as somehow it's happened and it's all here; my question isn't who created it, but why was it created. Mankind often seems very unworthy of being the tenant of such a beautiful creation." That said, my best to any who pass by here, and may your past, present, and future years be as great as those I've enjoyed. Until next time, take care and be well.

A New Day Dawns

Photo: Mosquito Mountain and Moxie Lake in the morning in the fall.

Hi Y'All, I'm easing my way back into the old routines with a new perspective and appreciation for everything and everyone. To paraphrase an old quote, 'an old friend dying concentrates the mind wonderfully', and the recent absence was primarily the result of my trying to absorb the reality of the sudden death of a number of longtime friends and colleagues in a very short span of time. The numbers matter not, but having felt as though I was being, in my own selfish thoughts, subjected to a daily series of body blows, I found myself, for one of the very few times in my life, unable to function properly. It was rather much like a fog had settled in my mind and was growing denser every day. Not a great description, but words are inadequate to describe the empty feeling I allowed to settle within my deepest being. I don't say this for sympathy, just to let you know a bit of the reason I left so abruptly. But, I'm happy to say, I'm pretty much back to being my absentminded, short attention span, and constantly contemplating the next meal, self of old. Although I do have a whole new determination not to waste any more of the time allotted me, and to daily remind all that I love and care for each and every one. Well, maybe some more than others, but I'm trying!!
As I write this at 0625, it's 36.5F\2.5C and the sun just woke up. Another great day of testing my new attitude and my recently regained eyesight. The fall quilt of colors is starting to appear and the pumpkin and apple harvests are in full swing. The place is ready for almost anything that may befall us, short of a major disaster. Other than the car being due for its yearly State Inspection, all is fairly well with the world as I know it. For some reason, even political discussions have taken on a newer, less demanding nature. Just throw the bums out!! All of them, every last elected official, whether deserved or not. A new broom sweeps clean, time to start over. Maybe, since most of us hold our moms in such high regard, we should turn the whole place over to the women. We've had our go and blew it in my view.
Well, enough of that, not going to let a beautiful, sunny day be ruined by anything. Life is too short and precious to waste. A short nap for energy, then off to explore and enjoy nature's gift of autumn. One of my four favorite seasons. Until next we meet here, take care and savor every minute as if it were your last.