365 Project - Day 18

Okay - I admit to being totally oblivious to the Polar Vortex conversation over the past week. I have a couple of simple explanations for this - I have not gotten out much and the weather doesn't seem to be all that bad to me. Perhaps, I'm a just a little jaded since we've had terrible weather this time of year in the past. What we're experiencing now simply doesn't compare. A couple of years ago, we had to cancel Halloween due to heavy snowfall that blew out our electricity for 6 days. So a little snow in early November with temperatures in the 30s is nothing ... mind you, it is a far cry from the heat we enjoyed living in Houston, but this polar vortex thing seems silly compared to that blizzard. I had to chuckle reading the whole arctic outbreak, polar vortex, global warming, climate change debate. Lots of discussion over which term is correct and whether something is going on with the global climate that may be driving record lows in November. I certainly don't mean to diminish parts of the world that were hit hard with bad weather this week. I found what we received refreshingly beautiful, regardless of what caused it.

Today's Photo: "Arctic Beauty"

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Snowflakes are kisses from Heaven." - Unknown

365 Project - Day 12

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am grateful for so much today, including the opportunity for rest as a result of my broken leg... Grateful for the love, grace and peace of God, the love of family, the laughter of children, the warmth of my parents' voices, the gift of flowers, the comfort of a caring husband, the safe return of a son, the hugs of friends and children, the generosity of a kind note, energizing crisp weather and the beauty that surrounds us every day. Abundance and gratitude are inextricably intertwined. And, again, I am thankful!

Today's photo: "Gratitude"

"This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." Maya Angelou

365 Project - Day 5

After laying in all day trying to rest my leg, it finally dawned on me that I needed to get up and get my shot for the day. It's not that I hadn't thought about it during the day. It's more that I didn't have the will. So after it had started getting dark and was raining, I finally gathered the strength and will to step out onto my front porch. As I ventured outdoors, my 17 year old yelled out to me, "Mom! What do you think you're doing? It's dark and raining outside!" To which I sheepishly responded, "Yep, I know, but I need to get my 365 shot in and I'll be careful, I promise." Wasn't that kind of him to worry about me?

The time was 7PMish and there was virtually no natural light available. I took advantage of the porch light. I used my 50mm f1.8 lens, affectionately referred to many as their "nifty fifty" and snapped away at the Japanese Maple at the edge of my doorway. I alternated between leaning on the frame of the house, the pillars on the porch, and on my crutches. This triad left me with a shaky set-up and minimal space to maneuver (like a 3ft square), but I managed. I'm learning to live within my means.

Cheers!

Today's Photo: "Japanese Maple at Twilight"

"The pain that you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming." Romans 8:18