More than a single word

Dear Laurel,

  Choosing a single word to set a theme and tone for the new year seems to be a popular idea.  I've tried several times and I just haven't been able to make it work.  My visual self needs a picture and I think this a good one.  It was an early spring day in Olympia with a cold, brisk wind, freezing cold rain showers off and on, and the most glorious warm sunbreaks in between. These brilliant windsocks moved with the wind and rain, and danced and sparkled in the sun.  That's what I want to do this year.

All my best,
Kate

Rich

Dear Sonja,

  I hope your winter garden is as full of diamonds as mine is, and I hope you feel as rich as I do.

All my best,

Kate

Winter Sunset



Tulelake Sunset

Dear Cal,

  I have stacks of postcards to write.  I don't know how far I'll get this evening, but the trick is to do the first one then, in theory, the second one should be easier.  A good long Christmas time followed by days and days of mild, barely winter weather has made the early darkness so much easier to bear.  I love this sunset picture--my mother left their dinner cooking on the stove, put on her coat and went outside to capture it.  I think everyone should do that more often; it can change a person's outlook.

All my best,
Kate

Success!

Dear Laurel,

  We did it!  I think everyone is happy, but the grandparents are the happiest of all--in fact they're still flying high.  Just for the record it was not perfect.  After a few days there were the inevitable minor family tensions, I spent Christmas Eve evening at the ER with my mother, I missed the Christmas Eve service, and I didn't count on the ongoing fatigue factor.  But we did have fun, and we have pictures to prove it.  And yes, I would do it again!  Happy New Year to you and yours.

All my best,
Kate