Counting My Blessings # 21: Through the Lens of Another Camera

November sunrise

Because of the time change I am just not home very often when it is light. I catch some sunrise beauty in the morning, but unfortunately I am scrambling around getting ready for school. It is usually dark when I return home. I am thankful JEJ has been experimenting around with his camera so I can catch a glimse of images around our place through his eyes.

Counting My Blessings #20: The Writing Life

I write each and every day. Being a writing teacher gives me practice on a day to day basis . I also do blog posts and also work on some other form of writing when it works into the day. I am thankful that I can carve out time each day to write. Writing helps me sort things out that are troubling me. It gives me a place to capture favorite words and lines. It also gives me an avenue for exploring my creativity and taking some risks in a safe environment. I just purchased the poster above to hang up in my classroom. I am thinking I should have gotten a copy to hang by my writing table at home also. The slogan we emphasize in the Northwest Inland Writing Project is one I try to emulate. " Writing may be the most important thing you do. Do it well."

Counting My Blessings # 19: Signs That Make Me Laugh

I love to take pictures of signs that make me laugh
and spot some online also!

Counting My Blessings #18: Four Seasons in the Inland Empire

I love living in a place that has four seasons. My hometown is now called A City for All Seasons. Sometimes winter moved into this gray time in Kellogg, then summer. Our springs were not quite as memorable as the other three seasons. These new banners hang on street light poles around town to welcome tourists.

Where I live now we get a much earlier spring, a hotter summer, a mild, beautiful autumn and then winter. You never know about winter in the inland empire. It might be cold and icy or wet and snowy. Some years it can't make up her mind what to do. The surprises are another part I love about four seasons. Each season and each year brings unique beauty.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting,
and autumn a mosaic of them all.
- Stanley Horowitz

Godspell: "Two Thumbs Up! Way Up!"

My sister Silver Valley Girl in a scene from Godspell

My sister and her husband were part of the ensemble cast that presented Godspell last week-end at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace, Idaho. Awhile back I wrote a Sibling Assignment about Godspell which was a bit vague because all I could remember about the musical were a few of the memorable songs like "Day by Day" and "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord." Scott Hall playing Jesus

Godspell is no longer vague in my mind. This production was full of energy, passion, humor and spirituality. The cast had voices that blended well together and whether a cast member sang a solo, duet, or everyone joined in, the vocal range and harmony was exceptional. a happy scene with Silver Valley Girl and Jesus

The dance numbers were an added plus as the cast showed us their versatility as they moved energetically to rock dances, slowed it down for the soft shoe, then kicked in unison in a chorus line. It was hard for this photographer to get clear pictures with all the movement!

my brother-in-law Paul

The structure of the musical is that of a series of parables, taken primarily from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus, played by Scott Hall, drew in the audience throughout with the lessons of life from the gospel. In one story he reminded us to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." A pleasant surprise during the performance of " All Good Gifts" was a beautiful recorder solo by my sister.

Jesus preparing for The Last Supper

From the opening number "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" through the final scene after the Last Supper the songs were woven into the parables Jesus retaught many of us.
There is one last week-end of shows left and not many seats. If you want information on tickets go here. Congratulations to the cast and crew of this outstanding production. JEJ, my mother,my nieces and I enjoyed front row seats and all agreed "Two Thumbs Up! Way Up!"

Counting My Blessing #17: Holiday Cactus

one beginning to bloom at my house


I have written other times about the infamous Christmas Cactus that never seems to bloom at Christmas. I have had these plants bloom at Valentine's Day and also one at Easter. This year must be the year for Thanksgiving Cactus. When I was at my mother's house last week-end hers was also in bloom. It doesn't matter to me what time of year they bloom. Any season or holiday they are beautiful blooming plants. I am blessed to have one to enjoy on my table by the window (botanically known as Schlumbergera or Zygocactus).

another shot of the "Thanksgiving Cactus"
the one at my Mom's house