Hello there.

This is a do-over. Unfortunately a very Y2K era problem has happened and I just lost the whole blog post I finished only moments ago, because I didn't save. But my reason for doing this is stronger than my irritation, so here we go again.

I was never great at keeping a journal. I love a good memoir, and as a girl I admired Anne Frank for her journal becoming her source of hope in a dark time. I always start strong - writing out goals and dreams and sometimes even poetry - then ending up writing grocery and to do lists from my stream of consciousness. Here's hoping this venue can provide me with something a little different. 

I've been on a journey, lately, of picking apart the many hobbies and interests I have found with the hope of bringing myself into a place of authenticity and deep joy. It feels heavy, but worthwhile. You see, I LOVE doing things. I'm never really bored, because I can fill up my time ten times over before starting to wonder what I should do. I am the crazy person who believes that the best gifts are homemade. So naturally, every holiday, birthday, or reason to celebrate - and when is there NOT a reason - I am up to my elbows in flour, paint, yarn, or glue. About 80% of the time I am loving every moment. The rest of the time I am so stressed I want to punch someone! Then I have found that there are certain activities that I can do for hours and hours, and instead of it draining away my essence, I feel nourished on a spiritual level. Walking in the woods with the hope of spotting a new bird, watching my daughter come alive on stage, and staying up all night to finish a great book are some of the things I love most in this world. As it turns out, taking and editing photos for hours and hours is one of those things that is life-giving for me.

So here is what I'll be doing for a while, I think. I'll find a photo that captures what I mean - a moment that feeds my soul or tells my story. Maybe there will be a story behind it that I can write about, but I'm sure that won't always be the case. Either way, as I head into Thanksgiving week, I eagerly anticipate devouring all the synchronicity and beauty I can find!

This photo, taken on my phone, is a maple tree I walk beneath every day on my way in to work. If my eyes weren't required elsewhere, I could certainly sit and look at it for hours! The changing light constantly brings out new colors that steal my thoughts and my gaze.