Settling Into the New Year

Yes, I DID go to The Farm in Michigan, and yes, I DID come back safe-n-sound (in spite of a breath-stopping spin-around on the ice going back to the airport this past Sunday)! How long ago was that?!

There was no snow on the ground when I landed in Detroit on December 30, but by the next day there was. So I was a happy camper. The wind-chill factor, however, was so strong every day that I only went outside once (except for two nights in the hot tub, one with the snow falling on our heads).

What I captured with the camera was little and wasn't in the cold outside but in the cold inside the barn.

Don't ask me why I was so fascinated with these kerosene lanterns. I had to use one years ago as my source of light while in Jungle Camp in Mexico. Maybe that's why. Maybe they have a story waiting to be told...like so many of us do.

Actually, that door latch and handle also intrigued me. Another story, for sure. But I wasn't even curious enough to find out what was inside. That's kinda like not asking questions to pull out the stories inside each other, I guess.


I did visit the coop and chatted up a storm with the best of them. They tickle me to death! Inside the house with sister Ruth, Don and Peter, we, too, chatted up a storm, but other times we nested and brooded, reflecting on the moment.

Sister Ruth did a post on the board game we played almost non-stop, morning, noon and night: The Settlers of Catan. I'm not what you'd call a board game lady BUT this game sure is addicting. I think I became a Settler of Catan overnight!

Now that I'm back home...and Donica is in Amsterdam...I'm working on our basement, trying to unclutter and clean it. Did 2008 really come and go just like that? Has 2009 already seen a week pass by? Will I really have to take down the Christmas tree eventually?

So many questions, so little time. That's like looking at the syllabus on the first day of class and being overwhelmed by everything that has to be done by the end of the semester. Remind me that it's doesn't all have to be done TODAY. Settle down, Ginnie. The year has just begun!

Looking Ahead

When we left Phoenix, Arizona, for Sedona, the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to drive the long way via Prescott and Jerome. That's also when we saw Tuzigoot (from my last post).

I told Donica I couldn't imagine being that close to Prescott and not at least driving through it. When I think of Arizona, I think of the biggies: Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, Prescott....

So, we drove to Prescott's Courthouse Plaza, got out, took pictures and...basically decided not to waste any more time. It wasn't what we expected.


However, besides the few moments of sun shining on the courthouse (above), I loved this bronze statue that stood in its wings: "Cowboy at Rest." It's a replica of a miniature done by Solon Borglum in 1903 and was so soulful to me as I stared at his face.








As we look ahead to this New Year, 2009, I wish for us all to be "at rest," regardless of what happens. My own personal mantra will be:

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
(Isaiah 30:15)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(from Ruth and Don's farm)