1.06.2017

relive & record

As this past year wrapped up, I found myself feeling nostalgic. Dates change, and chapters of life move onto the next. It makes me kinda sad. What the future holds is anybodies guess. There isn't anything anyone can do about time passing, but look at the bright side. We are still here.

I find it so interesting, barely anyone wrote year end Christmas letters, year end review blog posts, or new year word affirmations. I am also pretty sure I am the only person still making Christmas Cards by hand. Sending off for a digital photo card doesn't count, altho much more fancy & efficient. Things that make you go, hmmm.

I don't do New Years Resolutions perse, but I do try to get things sorted out in the direction I want to live my life. A fresh (re) start. Of course this could be done at any time, but starting with new numbers for some odd reason is more inspiring. 

2017 is going to be one of the busiest years of my life, and already too many things are filling up my time. Some are self inflicted, others are obligations. It doesn't help I am a liker of most everything, except brussels sprouts and coconut. 

My plans are to continue blogging. It helps me relive & record life, and sort things out. I enjoy staying connected to you guys & appreciate the friendship!!

For some silly reason, I took on a 365 day photo challenge. Good idea, bad year. I've always wanted to do one. Supposedly they help a person find their style. Something I've always struggled with, even in art school. Jack of all trades, master of none. That's me. 

I want to grow my photography. Being creative makes me happy. I am taking the challenge one week at a time. To give you an idea of how it's going, I just might call it good. Already. If you are interested, you can find my related challenge photos on Instagram & some on Facebook. Links on side bar. I'll share a few photos here too. I only wish I could infused more equine photos. Horses & dogs are among my favorite things to photograph. Patience. Have I mentioned I need to work on this as well? 

Once our horses live with us, I can only hope my equine photography will evolve. I did see our horses twice this past week and rode both days. Before the frigid cold set in. Our long distance visits just aren't conducive to taking outdoor photos, especially in winter. These days it's get them in, get on and get outta there. Koda is being very good, altho I am not asking a whole lot of him.

Way too many other plans swirling around in my overactive head to share them all on here. The most obvious and important one, is building a homestead. That just might be easier then sorting and moving without 18 years of junk! In some ways, I am looking forward to it. Kids these days (ha ha, how many times have you heard that) just don't appreciate keepsakes like we do - so why am I saving them? I thought they would mean something. I don't want so much "stuff" anymore, I want experiences. To relive and record. Memories for years to come, that don't collect dust.

This year more then others, I seek balance & efficiency, and the ability to say no... 

"Contemplate"
Day 3 of a 365 day photo challenge
Life is for the living, and I plan to live more this year. How about you?

8 comments:

Linda said...

Yes, I plan to push life's envelope this year, too. This is the big 5-0 year for me. I look forward to more of your beautiful photographs, especially after you get your horses home. I want my theme this year to be inner strength and inner quiet.

aurora said...

Love your themes Linda, perfect for a great year. They will serve you well!!

Grey Horse Matters said...

You sound exactly like me. We have similar personalities, it seems like I could have written this post! This year I plan on having more time for myself and living more. I'll check out your photos, I like photography too. I'd never get through the challenge though. Oh and I hate brussel sprouts too!

Good luck and have a great year!

aurora said...

Arliene, I'm not sure if I should say "misery likes company" or "sorry" ~ ha ha! Seriously, it's not so bad being like us. It's nice that you can relate. Knew I liked you for a reason! I am not going to get through the photo challenge either. I think most people don't. I always look forward to photo prompts, and then I spend hours trying to think of something unique that fits. I will continue, but likely change it up to a more do-able variation.

Shirley said...

Good luck with the photo challenge- some days just aren't conducive to taking good photos especially dreary grey winter days. I often take my camera with me, only to leave it in my pocket.
Now that I'm retired I have a lot of things on my to-do list, but I'm taking it one day at a time, no pressure.
REally looking forward to your posts on the progress of your new home!

aurora said...

Thanks, I am going to need all the luck I can get with the photo challenge. The real goal is to take a pic every day, or whatever days work & it's ok not to use their prompts. No pressure makes it easier.

Congrats on your retirement Shirley!! Your days will fill quickly & you will wonder how you ever had time to work. I am semi-retired, it was an adjustment at first - and I still have "those" days, but overall I love it! You will too!!!

C-ingspots said...

I love your photos. I appreciate your friendship and wish we could go on a few rides together. That would be grand! You will be very busy, I'm sure, but it will be well worth all your efforts when you look back and reflect at the end of this year. I am also very thankful for your comments and for your ability to see things from a perspective, many times different from my own.

I have chosen a word for this new year, just took me a while to find my feet and found what felt comfortable, and right. I think I've done that now, and will try to do a blog post soon. I've just been lying low and have felt very introspective lately, not sad really, just quiet and thoughtful. December has been a month of many losses, and I always spend time waxing nostalgic - winter really, it seems is a time of quiet and of pause. Thank you for checking in on me.

We are in the throes of a short meltdown after another snow storm, followed by ice. They say more snow is on the way tomorrow night. Wow! For us, this is a very cold winter with more snow than is usual. One day at a time...

Stay warm my friend!

aurora said...

Great to hear from you Lorie, thanks for your kindness. I think we all have those times in our lives when looking inward feels best. I look forward to reading your post(s). Take care.