Out With The Old

Here we are, once again, at the end of the year.

Herself and Beloved Husband looked at one another these past few weeks and concurred that this was the first year in many years that they hadn't gotten to mid-year and said, "I thought this year was supposed to be better than last year."  We are all tremendously grateful that this was, all-in-all, a decent year. There were still repercussions from the previous year -- Herself still periodically feels grief related to her unmooring, and sadness and readjustments were regular features of the days of this year as we learned to cope with Cherished Friend's moving away  -- but everyone is healthy, bills are paid, and :::fervently knocking wood::: there have been no new dramatic or difficult changes.

In our relief, we feel that it might be greedy to ask the Universe for more and better for next year. In our eternal optimism, though, we breathe wishes into the ether for those we love: may they have health, contentment, satisfaction at school or at work, and flashes of Joy. May they know they are loved. And may Good Things, in whatever form they take, come to them, always.

Here's to a New Year.

Picture copyright 2014, 2015, Mediocria Firma. Used with gratitude.

Changeover

This comic, from Hurrah For Gin on FaceBook, sums things up nicely.

On Top

Today's earworm: On Top Of The World, by Imagine Dragons.

I found this in some random internet list of Songs To Wake Up To. And though I won't be setting it as my alarm, it does certainly have that just-right degree of upbeat melody to perk up one's day.

I hope you enjoy.

Sun Dog

Elderly three-toothed dog likes to keep Herself company upstairs when she uses the elliptical trainer. (He is much like ottoman-shaped dog in that respect. And it is nice to have that company.) This afternoon, the sun streamed in just right, so we arranged a blanket on the chaise for him to rest. He was quite happy.

Good boy, Tio.

Snow Shovel

A few thoughts about the snow.

The snow started out mildly.

Just a dusting in the front of the house.

A bit more in the back of the house.

It was really rather poetic.

In the evening streetlight, it was lovely

And then, by the next morning, it was... quite abundant.

Eight-inch (or more?) caps of snow on all of the pots and plants.

The rose bushes were thoroughly weighted down by the snow.

The small dogs were most alarmed.

Even shoveling them a patch of grass was insufficient 

to console them.

It was nearly knee-deep to 6-foot-two-inch Offspring the Third.

He built a snowman.

He said, of the snowman:

"The dramatic snowman, built upon my likeness, is here to bid you all a late merry Christmas and an early happy new year. Also, a big thank you to Mrs. Clause, Jingle Bell, and Jangle Bell for talking to mother nature to get the heat miser to fork over some southern territory to snow miser to allow snow for his creation."

We spent the afternoon shoveling the driveway, lest it all melt-and-freeze. (Herself actually enjoys shoveling snow. I suppose it would be less enjoyable if it was necessary more often, but today, it was a pleasant task.) 

It was beautiful snow. We shall see how long it remains.

Snowfall

It's snowing! 

I have browned the pot roast and put it into the crock pot, and we are all watching the Star Wars movies. It is Good, indeed.

What It Is

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~ Agnes M. Pharo

Picture copyright 2014, 2015, Mediocria Firma. Used with gratitude.