An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
We are heading home today, back to the colder temperatures. I have enjoyed the family time except for all the food I was forced to eat. I have also enjoyed the wonderful weather they have here in Phoenix. Tomorrow will be my pre-op appointment, blood draws and more explanation on what to expect with the surgery on the 5th. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving !
Today is not only our Winter Solstice but it is my youngest granddaughters birthday. I know its hard to imagine this 5 year old with a totally innocent expression in the above image is 21 today. Happy birthday, Madie! You have brought a lot of joy to so many people. I love you!
We returned to home on Saturday evening after enjoying time with family over the Thanksgiving holiday. We had great weather in Phoenix and of course great food. What was most wonderful was all the laughter and conversations. 🙂
While visiting my parents during thanksgiving my dad gave me his father’s pocket watch. A treasure to me. It does not run but the hands turn so I may have it repaired.
I remember the cold winter mornings I would cut a slice mom’s homemade bread, toasting it in this exact toaster and smothering it in “real” butter. Well, mom made her homemade bread before we arrived for Thanksgiving. As expected I cut a slice about as thick as it would fit in the toaster and drowned it in butter. I mentioned how impressed I was that the toaster was still working. Dad then informed it was one of their wedding gifts which makes is almost 68 years old. I made toast every morning I was there. 🙂
A moment of anger can destroy a lifetime of work, whereas a moment of love can break barriers that took a lifetime to build.
This morning is overcast and cloudy. One of those solid and flat gray skies with very little texture. The temperature is around 60 degrees so it is pleasant to be outside, walking or riding the bicycle.
I leave a week from today for 6 weeks. Will camp one night at Great Sand Dunes NP and and one night at Canyon Dechelly then on to Phoenix to spend the rest of the time with family.
This past Saturday afternoon I went to a BBQ at my oldest daughters home. They grilled up some elk burgers and brats. 🙂 Games were played, children and puppy dogs ran all over the place and lots of laughter was heard.
Chris and Cody supplied the meat while everyone else was asked to bring a side dish. Well that meant there were too many salads and deserts to fit on one plate so multiple trips to the table were needed. I found this young girl exploring all of the back yard, walking stick in hand.
As the sun went down I stood along the fence in their backyard with camera in hand and watched the colors. Nature was magically making  art and I had a great front row seat.