I live on a farm ... — faith

[Good News! The photos that have been missing from my earlier blog posts are now back. So sorry for the delay.] Please say hello to my new teddy bears ... they arrived on Christmas morning. Thank you Mom and Dad, and Carol. These are two-too sweet. Another thank you to Dale ... the cypress ball ornament was a dear surprise in the Gracious Parcels box you sent. Viewpoint is an interesting thing. So often what you experience and feel and see around you is a matter of your own perspective and attitude. Today it is just over 50 degrees, rainy...

Hello again, and Happy New Year. One year ago I was still living in the foothills, north of Los Angeles. I was taking four-mile walks several times a week, and one path I followed took me under a freeway underpass, past a few sleeping homeless men, and across the Los Angeles "River". January in Los Angeles last year was unseasonably warm -- unreasonably warm.  The weather was so "nice" I was able to work on my paintings outdoors at a nearby park or in my sister's backyard. There were days when the temperature was in excess of 90 degrees ......

"Christmas in My Pocket" The story of Christmas Joe and a particular important experience. by J. L. Fleckenstein Christmas 2004 And so it was Christmas. And, there I sat ... all alone, on a stoop, outside of the remains of what used to be the inn where most of my life I ate, drank, and made merry with my good friends. Friends. That was something I still had and was glad for it. But, the inn, much of the town, my home, the fields ... all were gone. There had been a bad flood and about half of us lost...

Tommorow my parents arrive late in the afternooon ... preparations are still under way. Yesterday we finished getting the sitting area by the fireplace ready for the holiday. It is in a part of the house that has not been remodelled or restored, and so was a bit rough around the edges. Transforming it into a cozy place for visiting was enjoyable, not very difficult, and didn't cost anything. With a bit of imagination, rearranging a few pieces of furniture, and placing several inexpensive tea and votive candles here and there the area took on a new life. Now an...

Doesn't that pumpkin bread look tasty? Let's pretend ... You just came to my door, I welcome you inside. "Coffee?" I ask, and you reply, "Yes, thank you." I grab two cups of steaming brew and hand one to you. We head for the sitting area by the fireplace to enjoy a cup of coffee and some of this tasty, moist pumpkin bread together. A warm fire is crackling, and you can see our barn outside the windows on either side of the fireplace. Handmade Christmas stockings for my husband, myself, my daughter, son, and parents hang from the mantle....