Well, not really, but now you’re humming that tune in your head, aren’t you? Yeah, you are. [-_^]
Anyway, the countdown to the New Year is on. This Thursday marks the first day of January, the first day of 2015.
May your New Year bring you luck, health, happiness, and prosperity in all things!
Until next time…
[^_^]
~A.M.
With all the political correctness being thrown about when it comes to the holidays, especially Christmas, I feel I need to make a little stand here.
Why should I have to stop saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Yule” (since I celebrate Christmas for/with the family and Yule for/by myself) in favor of “Happy Holidays” just because someone that doesn’t celebrate Christmas or Yule may possibly take offense to said greetings? It’s kind of ridiculous if you think about it. You don’t see me getting all bent out of shape when someone says “Happy Hanukah” (did I spell that right?) or “Happy Kwanza.” In fact, I’d rather that happen. Instead of getting offended by my “Merry Christmas” to you, I’d rather have you respond joyfully with, “Happy/Merry *name of whatever particular holiday/festival you celebrate*”.
Doesn’t that make more sense than pushing the whole “politically correct” thing on something so simple and innocent as a holiday greeting (or decorations since it‘s spilling over into that area too)? There are bigger things out there in the world that should concern us than how someone extends a holiday greeting. I know some of you out there agree with me, and those that don’t, well, this is just my opinion so no harm no foul! d_[^_^]
No matter what holiday, religious rite, or festival you celebrate, I think we can all agree that this is a time of year for family, joy, caring, and love for your fellow human beings. Right? I know!
That being said, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Yule, and a Happy/Merry everything else (to those that don’t celebrate Christmas or Yule)! And since I can’t send everyone a card, I’ll offer up the digital equivalent!
Warm Wishes and Bright Blessings to you.
Tis the season to be kind to others, regardless of your (or their) differences, whatever they may be!
Until next time….
[^_^]
~A.M.
Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner. That’s right, it’s the first day of December already. How time flies, huh? It seems like yesterday when we were ringing in the new year that was 2014. Now, we’re getting ready to say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015.
I hope everyone had a safe, fun, and happy Thanksgiving. And, if you’re reading this, congratulations on surviving that whole Black Friday thing. I hope that if you ventured out to brave the insane crowds, you made it through unscathed. And, in the same vein, I hope you left everyone in your wake unscathed.
I don’t buy into the whole Black Friday thing, personally. I’m a savvy shopper year round, so I have no need to wake up before dawn, stand in long lines (I got enough of that in grade school, thank you very much), and fight crowds of mostly rude and greedy people all for some material goods that will most likely never be used, or, in the case of technology, be obsolete in less than a year.
No. Instead, I sleep in on Black Friday (and Cyber Monday too) and, if the weather is relatively nice, I go hiking. With a majority of people crowding the stores, hiking trails are nearly deserted this time of year. Just how I like them.
This past weekend, I ventured to one of my favorite places. You know the one. Yep, that’s right, Quoddy Head State Park. Now, before I left on my little adventure, I loaded my snowshoes into the car because I always like to be prepared. I figured, with the amount of snow around my house, I’d probably need my snowshoes for the hike.
I was wrong.
The closer I got to Quoddy, the less snow there was. The trees were bare, unlike those at home. The roads were clear and totally dry, unlike those at home. And I could still see the bare ground, unlike at home. So, my snowshoes stayed warm in my car as I ventured out for my hike at Quoddy.
(And yes, if you couldn’t tell, I did some editing on this photo to give it a more “dreamy” quality. [-_^])
I challenge you, yes you reading this, to try something different next year. Instead of following the masses to the stores on Black Friday, get outside (weather permitting of course) and spend some time connecting with nature. It’s a good stress reliever.
Until next time…
[^_^]
~A.M.
Posted in Hiking, Life, Nature, Photography, Snowshoeing
Tagged December, Hiking, Photography, Quoddy
It’s once again the time of year to give thanks for your blessings. Well, that and to stuff yourself silly with too much food! Thanksgiving (at least here in the US)!
Save a turkey! Eat a veggie burger! [-_^]
I wish you all a safe, happy, and (hopefully) healthy Thanksgiving.
Until next time…
[^_^]
A.M.
Posted in Animals, Life, Photography, Wildlife
Tagged Photography, Thanksgiving, Turkey
Tomorrow will mark the anniversary of the day one of my cats was born. He’ll be 16 years old. 16! And he’s still the biggest freaking baby. [^_^]
So, happy birthday to my boy, Sylvester! And, by proxy, happy birthday to my eldest, Tigger, who’s now 17!
Happy 16th birthday, Sylvester!
Happy 17th birthday, Tigger!
Like Bob Barker always said (and because it‘s a good idea), Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. d_[^_^]
Until next time….
[^_^]
~A.M.
Audrey May Photography 