Hopeful for Unity
It’s a new day! And, even after the events of two weeks ago, I am hopeful we can come together as a people despite our great differences. I loved the quote from St. Augustine in President Biden’s address that “a nation is a multitude of rational beings united by the common objects of their love.” Let’s focus on our commonalities and not our differences, people!
So no photography today- just these shots from our tv. Note: as a genealogist/family historian, I am fascinated by that Bible!
Shine On!
But we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun,
And we all shine on
Come on and on and on on on.
John Lennon
I’m holding a vision of a shiny new year ahead!
HAPPY 2021!
Valley of Lights
We had heard mentions of the Valley of Lights display in our neighboring Prescott Valley and somehow had the (wrong) idea that it was a neighborhood of decorated houses. We went last week and discovered a long line of cars snaking along a road through magical archways of lights with over a hundred I’m sure displays of lights sponsored by various area businesses. It was a wonderful treat and so well done. There was everything from an animated fishing Santa to wild west scenes to fairytales to Noah’s Ark to patriotic tributes. Very impressive!
Autumn Beginnings
We took a walk in Watson Woods about a week ago, looking for signs of fall. We did find some autumn color in isolated groups of yellowing leaves on some of the trees, yellowing grasses, and brown leaves scattered on the ground. What we also found were signs of drought. This stream that usually flows from Watson Lake through the adjacent woods was drying up, which you can see as the water curves to the left in the photo.
Healing Field
Today is Nine Eleven. I will always associate that day with our daughter’s wedding which happened 11 days later in the aftermath of that terrible day. Today we visited the Healing Field in our neighboring town of Prescott Valley. The Healing Field is an annual tribute to the nearly 3000 lives that were lost September 11, 2001- one flag for each life, with a tag telling about that person and where they died. The flags seem to go on forever, a sobering reminder of how many families lost loved ones that day.
I was especially moved by the BOOTS! Each flag that memorialized a firefighter had boots at the base. I couldn’t help but think of the firefighters fighting so many wildfires today- especially in California (my home state). God Bless our Heroes!
Driving to Class
We woke up to 5 inches of snow today- and the flakes continued to fall. Lonnie drove me to my photo class in his snow-worthy Subaru, and I took the opportunity to shoot a few iPhone photos out the car window.
Edited in Snapseed while watching the New Hampshire primary results
Happy New Year!
I’m back- sort of! As of yesterday, I have my MacBook back from having a BIGGER hard drive installed! It’s attached to my new monitor, so I’m now able to work on two screens- a fantastic bonus for both photography and genealogy! I’ve mostly recovered from my knee surgery (just have to get the knee stronger and more flexible), so I should actually be out taking photos soon. I’m determined that good health will be the hallmark of my 2020. Best wishes to you for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Merry Christmas!
I’m thrilled to say that our Christmas celebration this year is totally family-centered. Having kids and grandkids so far away, we really appreciate the times when we can all get together as a family. This year, we stayed in a Scottsdale resort for a few days, and our son’s and daughter’s families joined us! Our Alaska kids especially enjoyed swimming most of the day, and we all enjoyed playing with Caleb, the youngest grandson, who will be two in March. Sunday, our son’s family drove back to Southern California, and Monday afternoon we drove back to Prescott with our daughter’s family. And now- we are getting ready for Christmas!
We are so blessed to have these three little boys!
Here’s Caleb!
Henry started today by watching the Grinch and playing with Legos.
And as I write this, Miles is baking Christmas cookies!
My MacBook Pro is in the shop getting a new hard drive, so I am using my iPhone to post these candid shots.
Best wishes for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
In Praise of the Walker
This looks like a depressing post- it’s not! I had a knee replacement almost a week ago and am doing great. I am very mobile with the help of the much made fun of WALKER. Like most people, I associate walkers with advanced age and decline, but I’m here to tell you that, for me, it is a pretty great little device. I hardly put any weight on it now and basically just roll it around in front of me as I walk. It is such an improvement over the crutches I had for my last surgery! I haven’t figured out yet how to carry dishes while using it, but since I know I will soon be using just a cane, I’m letting Lonnie do the dish carrying (as well as the cooking, pill management, icing, etc. etc. etc.). I am easily able to maneuver with my iPhone under one arm and my kindle under the other- my usual accessories.
What am I watching on TV?, you ask. It’s Hanna, an action/thriller series on Amazon Prime (I think). It stars Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos, the stars of The Killing (I love this duo)- only this time they are trying to kill each other (instead of solving crimes and resisting being in love). Pretty good so far. What am I reading on my kindle? I just finished Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur. It’s a memoir of the author’s incredible relationship with her pretty narcissistic mother. I first heard of this from a podcast I’ve been listening to- Family Secrets with Dani Shapiro. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Next up is Suffer A Witch, a novel by my friend, Susan Lanning! Having some accused Salem witches in my family tree, I’m eager to get into this one!
I have several photos scheduled to post here over the next week or so and may also post more, depending on what I feel like doing as I recover. And a big thank you to all for the emails, texts, and phone calls- all much appreciated!
