One Word Essay: Contemplation

A friend of mine sent an email today with a title "One Word Essays" With the post were a long list of words with a photo for each that exemplified that word. I loved the words and the photos. Of course, I could never just chose one photo for any them or one word essay. Today I chose contemplation The one above is my mother listening to my sister present information on Scottish Christmas traditions. She was really contemplating.

 Will I get some?

 Is there an extra hand on my body now?

Will we be BFFs forever?

Don't Follow Too Close: Photographer On Board

 I carry my camera each and every time I travel in our car or truck. I just never want to miss a shot. Unfortunately  that perfect shot often appears while I am driving.

 I try to  pull over, but sometimes I just hold up the camera and click while I am trying to concentrate on driving also. With this one, I pulled over and I am pleased I did.

I never know until I stop the car what I captured. Here are some images from recently traveling the roads around my area. I wasn't driving when I caught this one above.

What We Need Is Here

 I was reading a favorite gardening blog today and the author Margaret Roach used Wendell Barry's poem as an invocation for the new year. Yesterday I focused my energy on the inside of my home, refreshing and rearranging. Today I walked around the outside. I agree with the poem. What we need is here at home.

 I just need to remain quiet in heart and keep my eyes clear so I don't miss any of it.

What We Need Is Here

Geese appear high over us,pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.

Wendell Berry

A House Is a Home

 I love our house. It isn't very big. That is fine. Sometimes  I wish I had more light. The man I bought it from had done beautiful wood work on the walls and cupboards. I used to get tired of the dark wood. I now appreciate it. We decided to change things up a bit without spending a lot of money. Above is a table Everett created. It works well  back into the living room displaying the blooming plants.

 I really looked at all the beautiful wood products Everett has created, and decided to move them all together again into our small living room.  This lamp worked well by the love seat. We also rearranged furniture and recreated Annie's room ( another post). As I gathered his handmade pieces of work, I realized how much I liked them all together in one room, instead of spread out all over the house.

 This lovely table ended up in the room also. Shelby is a bit confused with all the changes.

This lamp and table that Everett created worked well together by the window. I look forward to more changes to our living space in the next few days. It is important to me to honor the create work we share rather than spend a bunch of money on new decor. That's just the way I roll.

2013 Favorite Images: Month by Month

 I have spent time recently reorganizing photos, rereading posts, revisiting calendars, and reflecting on the last year. I saw some beautiful places in 2013. I captured some favorite photos in 2013. We spent quiet time close to home also which I really enjoyed. It was hard to do, but here are some of the favorite images of the year. The one above is a lovely flower at the Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park last January.

 February found us around the fire in the gazebo.

 I love this image in March. Two of my students Stan and Kobe competed in a three-legged race. The weather was warm and I loved how the students enjoyed simple fun outside on the field.

 Nothing lovelier in April then the flowering plum tree.

  I love this image of my student Hannah Blackcrow before our school pow wow.

 A visit to a friend Jane's house provided this lovely blooming tree image.

 Our class reunion was a high point of the year. I was so pleased to capure an image of two of my oldest friends Kathy and Gail at Mom's deck on Saturday.

 August took us on a beautiful trip to the Clark Fork River.

 I love this photo of my niece Cosette playing soccer in September. She is a energetic, spirited player.

 The middle school undefeated girls team before a game.

 The undefeated middle school boys team before a game.

 The year ended with a holiday gathering in Kellogg that included a Scottish Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day dinner. and brother Bill's birthday dinner. I got to spend all of it with my siblings above. This picture is brimming with happiness and good cheer. Happy New Year!

Remember December: Favorite Images

My brother has arrived at our childhood home and is helping our mother prepare for the Christmas holiday. As he describes the preparing of food, decorating of the tree, and all the busyness that goes on at 516 W. Cameron, it reminded me of images I have collected of holidays in the past. He texted me to reassure me that this favorite ornament of ours has been placed on the tree for one more year.

 I love this image of my sister preparing a holiday dinner at her house. Below is a priceless image of brother Bill with his dear dog Snug looking through the window at Mom's house. The last image depicts a favorite ornament of mine I place on the tree each year. Christmas is full of images that remind me of times back in childhood, and better times in adulthood.