Curve Balls We've had a few "curve balls" thrown at us over the past 4 months, some anticipated and some totally unexpected. Yet, through all the loss and hardship, we are coming out the other side more fulfilled, intentional and more prepared for the next phase of life than we ever have been. This period has changed us and I like the changes. No other time of life has taught me more to not despise the storms of life. The hardships were a catalyst for internal change, bringing greater character, wisdom, love, and grace into our lives and more intentional habits that are producing fruit. Those are all things I need more of and I've come to treasure life's storms, knowing that life afterwards is all the sweeter and richer. 3 in 1 In the span of one month, we lost my sweet mother-in-law, went … [Read more...] about The Roller Coaster of Life
Life
How do you photograph “Artic Cold?”
Looks can be deceiving! The view through the camera has remained the same for several weeks now, but something quite drastic changed in the last 24 hours. A polar vortex arrived. A polar vortex is an area of low pressure and cold air in the stratosphere that swirls like a wheel around each of Earth's two polar regions. Sometimes the polar vortex wobbles and a lobe surges south through Canada and into parts of North America with bitter temperatures. Add 25 mph winds to the colder-than-normal temperatures, and you have a nice recipe for Artic Cold! Frostbite happens in 5 minutes to exposed skin in these conditions. Here was my midday (warmest part of the day) weather on Wednesday Jan. 30th: Dangerously cold Practically everything closed ~ schools, government offices, the university and local … [Read more...] about How do you photograph “Artic Cold?”
Just shoot me and bury me next to the dog
"Sickness comes on horseback and departs on foot." ~ Dutch proverb This past week I've gone through 2 boxes of tissues, sneezed so many times in a row I nearly passed out, consumed sour-tasting zinc lozenges, coughed my way through sleepless nights and soothed my sore throat with a daily mug of "Zarbee's Cold & Cough Tea." It was WWIII in full engagement in the top 12" of my body. And it only got worse day after day after day. On Day 6 there was so much congestion bottled up in my head, I'm sure my brain was as waterlogged as a peat bog and had as much clarity too. That's when I gave my husband permission to put me out of my misery and bury me in the backyard. He gave me a knowing smile and patted me on the back instead. Despite succumbing to the plague, I did get outside for a … [Read more...] about Just shoot me and bury me next to the dog