Our first real snow of the season. Not quite finished with us yet, though the sun is trying to dissolve the gauzy veil across her face as tiny flakes continue.

A few views:

just beyond my sewing room/tiny guest room north window

west window next to my computer desk

upstairs sliders 

note the clay pot at the bottom of the picture: my mandevilla wintering over and climbing the bakers rack plant stand

gotta love that southern exposure!

and my beloved potting shed

There's no urgency to cleaning up the drive or walkways as we have all we need here at home, we're not expecting company, and there will be no mail delivery today. There are leftovers from yesterday's calzone luncheon in the frig, chili and soups in the freezer. I think I'll bake some cheese bread today to warm up the kitchen and fill the house with its divine smell. Oh, and brew lots of tea. 

Not sure if the local kids have a holiday or a snow day today. As an educator I can't help but think the best way to honor MLK would be to have the kids in school focusing on his life and times. Can youth  today truly comprehend his life and his passion? In 1968 did I, a naive college freshman, living in an all white middle class neighborhood on the NW side of Chicago? How have I changed since that day? How have you? 

How has America?? 

Worth some thought...

2018

Each year I look forward to a new calendar. Actually, three new calendars.

For years and years I made calendars as gifts for my family. Each would be hand decorated and personalized with birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I only make one of these each year now, for my computer desk. It acts as my organizer.

A long time ago Jerome bought a wooden calendar frame for me which he fills each year with a new Lang calendar. He used to choose the designs for me, but these past few years he's asked me to choose my own. Are you surprised I'm drawn to birds and flowers??? This framed calendar lives in my kitchen. I tend to hold onto these and repurpose the pages for paper crafts. I receive this calendar on Christmas morning and spend the week until it's hung studying its pages. Did you know that in 2018 we'll quickly have two blue moons, January and March? Though it was cloudy at moonrise last night, and we had a bit of snow in the wee hours, the moon did illuminate the night like so much magic. Jolie gently purred and patted me awake a few times and together we appreciated that full moon presiding over the fields as we stood together at the upstairs sliders gazing in wonder at the beauty just beyond.

And then there is the amazing calendar from Anne. Each page a print of her original watercolor painting. This precious gift sits upright on my desk where it brings unceasing joy. 

At its opening, the year seems to stretch out before me full of promise and possibility. I'm thrilled to have the ability to read the writings of so many of you whom I admire, looking back on your year just past and ahead to your hopes for the days to come. Many of you write so profoundly, craft so beautifully, live so hopefully that I am drawn along to do the same.

I thank each of you for these blessings on my life. For filling the frightening voids with love so compelling that I am convinced, utterly believe, that even my life has purpose and value.