AHH, THE GREAT WHITE NORTH

I really love living where we get four seasons. Today, was one of those days, especially.
I just woke up this morning to very large snowflakes coming down and over the next few hours it accumulated so beautifully. It was the kind of snow that's slightly damp, so it sticks to the trees and paints such a beautiful landscape. If I hadn't had so much to get accomplished today, it's the kind of snow I love to go for a walk. Although, yes, it's cold enough to snow, it somehow gives off a warm and sheltered feeling.
Grant it, it's not the best for driving in, especially if the snowploughs aren't out right away to clear the roads. My husband drives limousine and he did have to go out later in the day, but he said the roads were pretty good by that time.
Me, I love looking out our picture window and just watching it fall. The little chickadees were busy eating from the feeders and seemed completely oblivious of whatever the weather.
A few hours later it had warmed up more and already that picturesque scene had started to melt away....sigh!
Overall, we've had a very easy winter to date. I would love a few more days of that soft, large, flaky snowfall before the spring comes.
There is something romantic about the snow. I want to get out next time and photograph like crazy.
Got to the love the great white north....I know, I do.
I have a shop on Etsy and for the first time did, what they call a 'treasury' today. You promote other artists work that you admire. I called mine 'GREAT WHITE NORTH WINTERS'. I'm including just a couple of the wonderful Canadian photographer's pieces of winter I featured in my treasury. Is this not beautiful photography? Is winter not just so beautiful!


HanShen

Jeannette Loney

FESTIVAL OF TREES........NOVEMBER, 2011

This is an event our city has held for 21 years. The purpose is to raise funds for health services in our city. In 2010, $210,000 was raised. As yet, the figures for 2011 haven't been published. In the past, it has been held at one location. In 2011, however, they decided it was time to try something different. So, they called it 'City Sidewalks' and almost all the events were held in the downtown core. Most of the shop owners participated and many of the events were held at a local upscale nightlife spot, called 'The Venue'. It was indeed different and feedback was both positve and negative about the changes.I've had the privilege of designing, donating and decorating a tree which is offered up for sale, auctioned or raffled off. I have done this for the past four years. Along with the funds raised, many people enjoy some or all of the events that take place over most of a week. Last year, it was held the last week of November. Here is the link to see what it was all about..

www.pfot.org

I just love coming up with new ideas for the tree I do. This year was no different. I decided on a white tree with orange, rust and crystals to add impact. For the event, the venue is dimly lit, so the lights and decor from the trees really pops. As each year has passed, the Festival of Trees committee tell me they look forward to seeing what I come up with and say they aren't disappointed. Fortunately, each year my tree sells fairly quickly..whew! Here is my tree for 2011!

WHERE DO I BEGIN..........OH, MY!

Sadly, once again, I've been remiss in posting on a regular basis. It's now been two months so it's a bit disconcerting to decide where to begin.
I've decided that I will start back where I left off and over the next few days just do some highlighting.
After many frustrating experiences, I've now managed to get my father into assisted living. My brother and I have set him up with new furniture and tried to make this transition as pleasant as possible. Initially, my father gave me a lot of grief, but when I finally explained he had no choice in the decision, he seemed to come around. It's so difficult explaining to someone they are incapable of safely looking after themselves and they have a disease called Alzheimer's that prevents them from doing so when they think they are perfectly fine. At this writing, my brother and I now have Power of Attorney and have taken over his affairs completely. For my father, we now know he's safe on a daily basis, getting fed properly, getting his medications administered properly, his personal hygiene is managed better and he actually has people to interact with on a daily basis if he so chooses.
This has been difficult for me as my father and I have never been 'warm and fuzzy' with each other, so it's rather ironic that this responsibility has landed in my lap primarily. Ah, life has so many lessons to teach us! For me, I've learned more tolerance and compassion and forgiveness for someone like my Dad. He was always such a proud, stubborn and energetic man. To see him in his present state is tough regardless of our relationship. Life has handed him some tough lessons and experiences as well.
I'm not sure, at this point, what he thinks or feels. When I go to see him, however, he appears somewhat grateful, somewhat relieved and a little less fearful.
Who knows what lies ahead, but I can only hope someone will help me out if I should end up with this cruel disease as well.


These pictures were taken in May 2010. He now looks so frail, by comparison....sad! He is now 92 years old. It's an odd coincidence that he and his sister (the two oldest) are now the only surviving siblings of five in his family. For my generation, my brother and myself(the two oldest)are the only two surviving siblings of four. Strange!

PONDERING.....HMMM!

The title is somewhat a clue of where and what I've been up to lately. Yes, pondering.

I'm pondering what direction I should go with my photography next, pondering what my steps should be regarding my father who is undoubtly at a concerning level of dimentia, pondering what plans to make for Christmas, pondering what to bake for Christmas holidays, pondering who to invite for Christmas or to spend it quietly at home, pondering why some people are a disappointment, pondering how many people I may have disappointed and so on and so on.

It kind of gives you the idea why posting has been on my list, but my brain is slightly on overload at the moment.

The truth be known, I'd much rather be spending the bulk of my time going to different locations and shooting whatever I'm drawn to that particular day. My heart continues to tell me I could be SO good at the photography, but I need to be more patient with myself. When I have quiet moments, I am reassured I should continue to follow my passion. I sometimes feel selfish as I feel right now, I would love more 'me' time.

I was going through a box of clippings I've cut out and saved over time and came across this article I saved out of a newspaper. I have no idea of the author or when I cut it out. It's kind of karma, that I should find it at this particular time.

Here is the clipping I saved....

Ponder and know that HOW you live is YOUR choice alone!

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.

Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.

An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.

As you grow, your associates will change.

Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are.

Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl.

Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream.

Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you.

Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people.

Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how.

Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.

You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.

Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere.
With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it.
Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life.
Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.

If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad.

Note: Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends.

Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will always be your family no matter what.

Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.

"In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us.

In Adversity We Know Our Friends."

"Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."

"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you have to develop the habit in little matters.

Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude."

P.S...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, LINDSAY!

Your entire family loves you!