My Lovely Dwelling Place

January Joy I’ve been feeling troubled lately, thinking negative thoughts.  Worrying about things I can’t control and not liking the way other people behave is bringing me down.  I’m not particularly enjoying winter this year either, although it has been mild, and there is nothing to complain about.  Somehow winter and my mood appear to be related.  It is funny how a dark cloud of sour discontent can settle on a person. I really should be happy – many things are right in my life.  Plenty of people have seen a whole lot more trouble than I have.  Disappointments and challenges are a part of life, after all.  They come and go like our seasons.  Is it reasonable to want to be exempt from the experience?  Changing seasons can be a beautiful thing.  Spring flowers, the color green, summer sunshine, blue skies, autumn colors, windy days, fresh falling snow, larger-than-life snowflakes – variety is truly the spice of life, right? ...

Auld Lang Syne It’s the time of year for reflection – the end of one year and the beginning of another - the time to make resolutions, goals, hopes and dreams. I’m not really a resolutions person.  I’m more a ‘Lord willing’ person.  Not that I don’t have goals.  I just don’t tie them to January first.  Nevertheless, buying a new calendar makes me think of the year that passed…what I can remember of it.  I woke up this morning pondering my life.  Like most people not all of this past year was good, not all bad either, most of it just there.  Highs and lows, triumphs and defeats, gains and losses…life lived. I’d like to say I accomplished goals, met milestones, and lost a hundred pounds – twenty pounds even!  Alas, I don’t know if I’m much different than I was last year. Hey, you know I’m just trying to survive around here.  While folks stay up late and drink sparkling something, I’m looking forward to the kids sleeping late in...