While sketching these penguins, I was thinking about how resilient penguins are. It is the very nature of penguins to "stay the course," even in the midst of great danger and hardship. They instinctively "muster on" in the frozen tundra powering through great physical challenges. Just living on the frozen tundra would be enough of a challenge for me, but they also journey 30-40 miles during mating season, far away from their food source on their little legs. They must wobble precariously on their small wobbly feet or glide on their stomachs paddling with their tiny feet. They slip and slide undeterred to reach the area where they will court, mate (just once), nest, incubate and protect their young. Often, for over 100 days in temperatures as low as -80*F, and without food, the male and female take turns returning to the sea (40 miles away) to obtain food to bring back for their young chick. They make this long, dangerous trip over and over again during this period. While waiting, the other penguins huddle together in a big circle (literally, the circle of life) to stay warm. They take turns with the warmest inside spots. The penguins never waver in this pursuit, no matter how difficult the task. So many lessons I draw from the penguins way of life; too apparent to list here, but something to reflect on.

Valentine's Day

This is what my house looked like on Valentine's Day this year. I was surrounded by those I love the most; my wonderful husband (this rose being one of a dozen he gave me), my two fabulous daughters, my awesome son-in-law and Michelle's significant other, Scott DeWeese, and my two fun, and funny grandchildren. Life is good this year, and what could be better than being surrounded by those you love on Valentine's Day? It was not always the case in my growing up years, and I remember many a lonely Valentine's Day when I did not think that anyone loved me. I can think all the way back to grade school when the magnetic pull between boy and girl begins, and I was in love with so many of the cute boys in my class. Back then, we decorated shoe boxes with red crape paper, ribbons, white doilies and anything else that would suggest love. Usually the rule was that everyone in the class got a valentine from everyone else; no one was to be left out, and I was just foolish enough to actually think that if I happened to get one of those three cent valentines that said "Will you be mine?" it really meant something from that cute boy across the isle. In fact, his mom probably wrote out his valentines for him, and he was clueless as to who got which one. In many ways, Valentine's Day is much like New Year's Eve; it is hard to be without a "love" for either of these occasions, but I had plenty of these. I remember many times being in tears. I guess that this is one reason that today I am so grateful when I look around and see how lovingly rich my life is. And to all the singles out there, I want to say, keep the fires burning and the hope alive. True love will come along when you least expect it. It did for me!

Snowy Day to Myself

SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW!!! Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day so I took my camera and headed out into nature to take some pictures. It was such a lovely day, even though it was cold and snow-filled, but the wind wasn't blowing so it felt warmer than it was. With the sun coming through my car window, it felt delightful as I listened to classical music and drove through the countryside. I was by myself with nothing to do but enjoy the music and nature all around me. I drove for six hours, and went 150 miles, stopping only to have lunch at one of my favorite spots; a wine bistro that serves delicious lunches in a quaint and picturesque dining room. I was out in farm country where I saw cows huddled together against the cold, and beautiful horses running or resting in the snowy pastures; a scene for a Currier & Ives Christmas card. I passed through little towns with nothing more than a gas station and a mechanic shop, and wondered about the lives of all the people who lived there. I loved the quiet and being by myself; to appreciate the beauty all around me; to ponder some of the wonders of the world and my life, and to truly appreciate the simple beauty of life. I recommend a day like this for everyone now and then. It cleared my head and mind, and brought me back home appreciating things I had not even thought about when I started out. Simply lovely.

Fresh Tomatoes

Why is it that today I am thinking of fresh tomatoes that we grow in our garden every year as seen in this picture I took last summer. Every year, my husband, who grew up on a farm, and I "put up" our tomatoes, and when we are finished, we have about 30 quarts of fresh grown tomato sauce to last us through the winter. I am a city girl at heart, but some of the farm traditions that my husband grew up with have seeped into my soul, and this is one of them. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better in the middle of winter than eating fresh grown tomatoes in spaghetti, chili, or whatever other tomato dish we cook. We are very covetous of these jars of tomatoes and only give a few to family and friends as they are precious indeed. I guess I am thinking about fresh tomatoes today because I am longing for the kind of weather that grows them. The first of February has brought us more of the same overcast cold and gray skies that we had in January. My longing for sunshine and warmer weather runs deep in me, I am sure, as this kind of weather, without question, affects my mood which today is being pulled more into negative energy than positive. Isn't that a nice way to say that I am slightly depressed today? Weather clearly does affect me and no matter how much I try to say to myself, it is only a state of mind, I still feel lousy. Ah, mind over emotions...now that is a subject for another day. For today, I am just happy to be writing on my BLOG, and keeping my head above water.