An ‘Ole Grey Day

I can still hear Mom say how much she liked “an ‘ole grey day.’ The adage ‘apples fall from apple trees’ rings true in this regard. I enjoy an ole grey day as much as Mom did.

The past two days have been quite wintery, snowy and rainy. Sitting by the fire is as good as it gets on days like these.

The day itself calls for stillness and quietness. Do not make loud noises in my house on an ‘ole grey day, unless life or limb is not important to you. Just ask my husband of forty-plus something years. Even Jeffy, our parakeet is quiet.

As we walked through the dark woods I noticed even the birds were quiet. All we heard were the crackling of leaves underfoot, and the dogs as they ran past us hot on the scent of who-knows-what.

Another type of day I like happens everyday, and that is twilight. Just when lights of houses and barns and cities start to shine and herald in the coming of nightfall. That lovely transition of daylight into evening-tide.

Mom used to also say there were advantages to old age. She has been gone a decade now, and now I am one of the older folk. So having the time to really enjoy an ‘ole grey day, as well as the evening light are surely an advantage to old age.

Do you agree, all you dear older readers?

I would like to share, through my photos, what I am trying to convey in words. They will probably tell a better story.

An ‘ole grey day, taking through window. Duke and High Hope seem oblivious.
Grey or snowy, it is still cozy. Can you see Raggedy and Snowbell? They are in front.
Walking up the hill in our field—to nowhere?
Outside lights on grey days are warm.
Even the birds are quiet in the woods. The crunching of footsteps and…
…the dogs running make the only sounds.
A fire makes every wintery day better.
By the fire is the best place to be on a day like today.
Evening lights on snow are a delight.
My favorite place is downright inviting at twilight.
The soft glow from the tin lantern warms the snowy sidewalk.

How About You?

I grew up on a big farm, we now live on a small one. Just the same, animals have been a part of my entire life. They have taught me more than I may ever realize.

I am also a photographer. Though that title seems not to fit me, as I don’t really consider myself a photographer. Yet, I’ve taken photos since I got my first Kodak camera at eleven years old. Many moons have passed since then.

I am also unashamedly a Christian. These three loves of my life have lived together in harmony and beautifully. Hardly a day goes by where these three passions do not meet.

May I prove my point to you and share a few photographs of my love of animals and farm life and beliefs?

May you find your peace, joy and passion in this New Year…I have a thought, ask God. He loves to answer the seekers of life. God bless you.

How about you? Where do you find meaning and direction and purpose in this earthly, ephemeral life?

Boo-boo.
A glorious morning.
Where does your hope lie?
Do you keep a garden?
All my sons/grandchildren love fishing.
Where do you find your rest?
All creatures great and small…
The Lord causes rain to fall on the earth.
Ain’t it so?
The Golden Rule.

Christmas Cheer

Enjoying as many Christmastimes as we have over our forty-five years of marriage together has given our Christmas tree ornaments a lot of history. I have given many ornaments to our grown children for their own family trees.

Sending Christmas cheer from our house to yours.

I made these two years ago...
They have aged well.
These two were made…
by Mom.
Open my mouth and…
I’ll give you a kiss!
Christmas horse has seen many trees.
This church has a little red tin roof.
Joy to the World! The Lord has come!

🌲Merry Christmas from us to you.🌲

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Store

Our final FMF prompt for this year—store.

I think of store as always needing to get to for yet another item or gift in preparation for Christmas. Scripture also comes to mind, as its wisdom teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven. Golly! How do I make these two meet? I feel like a slave to one and a slacker towards the other.

Intention and prayer is my answer. I must go to the store to prepare well for Christmas, and I must not loose sight of what I store in Heaven by serving well in this season.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to attend to each store well.

Merry Christmas FMF friends, and dear readers.🌲

Five Minute Friday—Left

‘Why left behind in this skill?’ This was my thought as I read our word prompt for today.

Just what does that mean? The fine art of writing in cursive. It is not taught to our students anymore, and has not been for many years. But why? Why is it not taught?

I have not heard one legitimate reason for our young people being left out of this important skill and artistic expression. I have yet to meet someone who thinks it is a good idea.

Talking to a young woman who was out at a nice restaurant with her teenage nephew only proves my point of this lack in education of our youth. She was reading and thinking outloud about the delicious items on the menu. Which, by the way, was printed entirely in cursive. Her nephew told her he could not read any of it!

This, gentle reader, is a set-up for failure. My husband gave a written note to the young man clerk at the bank this week. He handed it back to my husband and asked him to read it for him. He couldn’t read the cursive...

I thought school was supposed to help set our students up for success?