Friday, January 1, 2016

Reflection



Oh my, have I been neglectful of this blog, wow. No updates since October. It looks like I fell off the blogger wagon, which I did but with the New Year 2016, I hope to do much better. I'll admit I don't seem to take as many photos as I used to, no reason, just lazy I think.

Last week in church, our Pastor asked us to reflect on this past year, reflect on the good as well as the bad and that is what I have been contemplating all week.  Little snippets of the year have drifted in and out of my brain for most of the week.  I should have written them down, since the operative word in that last sentence is "out". Images and thoughts have wound their way thru my brain like snow, landing but either whisk away by the wind or buried by others falling from the sky.

This past year what has not disappeared is....

I have found delight in my travels, Paris being the highlight. And a close 2nd is Arizona. What a nice getaway each year.



I have become lazier, spending way too much time on my I-Phone, checking emails, facebook and instagram or playing some benign game. Time I should have been making pictures or writing a blog post.

I am beyond blessed with finding a church that has totally embraced me.

I am distraught over the violence in the world, one that I alone cannot overcome.

I am buried in books to read, only wish my eyes wouldn't tire so easily. To help resolve this I have begun to download audibles when affordable.  Read for awhile, then listen until the eyes regain clarity. (falling asleep while listening has also become a slight issue, it's nice that you can set a timer with audible)

I found this Christmas holiday a little sadder than usual. My calendar was quite full of lunches, breakfasts, celebrations, holiday musicals, church events, but in the midst of it all I felt a sadness that my sweetie isn't here with me, more so this year than in the past. No wonder they title this disease as "The Long Goodbye".

I am delighted that there is a toddler in our midst. Matilda Mae is just pure delight. So inquisitive, so focused, pure joy.


I am not happy about the increasing expansion of the waistline (probably due to the laziness issue, see above), the addition of more wrinkles (don't let anyone convince you that there is a product that removes wrinkles within a week, 10 days, 2 weeks. Not happening.)

This year our Fall was beyond beautiful. Colors so deep and lush, with some leaves hanging on until our first snowfall.  And the light was tailor made for photographing those lovely shades of yellows and golds.



I was introduced to Netflix last year which probably added to the "laziness" issue.  In defense, there are some darn good series on Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Right now I am watching "The Man in the High Castle" on Amazon Prime. The premise is what the USA would be like if the Axis powers, Japan and Germany had won the war. Something to think about.

I presented my first book review last year and if I do say so myself, I think I did an admirable job. I belong to 3 book clubs.  Two of them we read a book a month and then discuss it, the 3rd book club is a luncheon along with one of the members reviewing a book.  I call it "the story-time book club." I kept the delivery quite animated which in turn kept everyone awake. Giggle if you will, but after a nice lunch and a comfy chair it's quite easy to nod off. The book I reviewed was "The Red Notebook", a charming story with Paris as the location and a main character a bookstore owner.

I participated in my 3rd Open House in November where I sell greeting cards and calendars created from my photography.  The profits of $576. went to the Alzheimer's Organization. Going to put my thinking cap on this year to come up with more ways to expand.

Family time is certainly the best time.  Thanksgiving brought my whole family together around our table to eat and give thanks for our many blessings.



I hope this new year of 2016 is good to us all.  No resolutions, no word for the year, I tend to fail miserably at both, so I am just going to focus on appreciating life and the goodness and love that surrounds me.  I wish new hopes will always be a part of your life. Happy New Year.

Until next time.....


18 comments:

  1. It's wonderful to see a blog post from you, Deanna. Your words and your photos are always from the heart. This seems like a great goal for 2016 - "focus on appreciating life and the goodness and love that surrounds me" - I think I'll do that, too. Happy 2016!

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  2. Happy New Year, Deanna! I'm so happy to see you here and thoroughly enjoyed your reflections on 2015. Don't ask me why, but I thought a lot about you and Gary over the holidays. Telepathy? But you were - and are - in my thoughts. Much love to you for 2016! xxoo

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  3. Happy New Year to you, also. It is good to see you back to your blog. I hope you have had a wonderful holiday week- blessings!

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  4. Happy new year, Deanna! Hope it is a joyful one!

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  5. You don't sound lazy to me. You sound quite busy. I'm glad to see you back blogging! Happy New Year and all the best in 2016!

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  6. Hi Deanna! always nice to "catch up" on your news. I agree with EG CameraGirl - you always sound busy and active and your entire family is gorgeous (but especially Matilda Mae ;)) I'm looking forward to reading more in 2016! Happiest of New Years to you and yours!

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  7. A lovely blog posting with heartfelt words and lovely photos. I do love that bird surrounded by beautiful autumn lighting and how you captured him with a red berry in his mouth. That little sweetheart Matilda Mae must be pure joy in your life! Wishing you all the very best for this new year which is just blossoming in all our lives!

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  8. Oh you have been missed! Seeing your beautiful photos made my day!

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  9. I think "appreciating life and love that surrounds me" will be my "focus" too . . .
    Beautiful family pictures . . .
    Your photos are "just the best!"
    I would love to purchase some of your photos, cards . . . and help support "the cause" . . .
    My heart breaks for you . . .
    I hope smiles and snuggles from Matilda Mae will brighten your 2016 days . . .

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  10. I think you still accomplished a lot. The great thing is every day is a new day, and we can chose to do something different. Goodness knows I am going to work on that hard this year.

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  11. I love seeing all the pictures with you and your family. It sounds like you had wonderful holidays and how could you not with that precious Mitilda Mae. Grand kids can bring smiles like no other..Happy New Year and I hope it brings you adventures that you can't even image....Thanks for stopping over at my new blog. Sometimes I just have to change things up....maybe it's age I don't know....Glad you are back sharing your life; we miss you went you get busy....

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  12. I thought of you so many times these past few weeks knowing that it was a struggle deep within you to once again celebrate the holiday's without your Sweetie present in the midst of it all.
    Praying for a healthy 2016 for you and may all your travels, near & far, be amazing and make amazing memories.
    We must once again make it a priority to spend time together.

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  13. Happy New Year. Deanna! Glad to see a new blog post from you and that you are doing well. Rest, relax and enjoy whatever makes your heart sing!

    I'm with you on the picture taking thing. I upgraded my phone in September and have picked up my "big girl camera" once or twice since then. I need the catch the photography bug or go on an adventure.

    What are you reading? I'm 3/4 through The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. It's a long book full of soap opera drama. It keeps my attention, but I'm ready for a new read.

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  14. This was a beautiful post, one I related to in more ways than one. I too am becoming more sedentary with books, tv shows, music, instagram etc. sigh. I just love it all, and my thighs have not thanked me!!! As for what I am reading right now, the new John Grisham...Rogue Lawyer. I do find it entertaining. I would love to do something like an open house. Can you tell me more about it? Do you do it in your home? What publisher do you like to use? BTW...your family is beautiful in all ways.

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  15. Wonderful post, and your photos are gorgeous and heartwarming! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada, and Happy 2016 to you and yours. :)

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  16. I'm glad your back. Happy New Year if I haven't wished it yet. Your family is beautiful. Netflix can be a time suck for sure! I've introduced binge watching to my husband, which is totally not his style, so he keeps me grounded! Sending you big xoxo Deanna.

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  17. Always love your updates and photos of course! Glad to see you here, and hope that both you and I do a better job this year with the blog updates. Really hope this year to get together and have some sort of fun photography adventure.... Lou nettlehorst perhaps???? Something that you might have in mind. I have been rather bogged down with these two surgeries, but am hoping to be back in the swing of things soon! Here's to a new year!!

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  18. Love your blog! Beautiful photos, I especially love the bird with the berry in his mouth..I hope you have a great New Year :-)

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