mid-winter thoughts

Well, hello there again little blog of mine. It's been a while.

I skipped over the whole holiday season without checking in and now here it is the end of January. Winter has been a tough one here, but I guess not half as tough as most of the country. We have gotten snow on three separate occasions... and that's something for Austin.

This winter is also a horrific one for the flu. Numerous cases of the disease all over the place and very severe in many cases. It's been a bad winter for me as far as colds and viruses. I seem to get a different strain every few weeks with a stomach virus or norovirus thrown in as well. I read a few articles today that indicated that grandparents often get a worse case (and more frequent) of what their grandchildren are exposed to. The kids bounce back quicker and the parents often fight it off. Seems to be what's going on in my world. I sure love my grand babies, but have not liked being so frequently sick this season.

It's refreshing right now as I sit out on the back patio. This morning was foggy and soggy and warmish for a change, but now clearer, cooler, fresher air has blown in. The wind chimes are gently tinkling and it all feels peaceful. The herbs have survived the cold night temperatures that plummeted down into the teens thanks to their plastic dome covering. Tiny seedlings and bulbs are eager to meet the warmth that so far doesn't want to stick around for long.

I have continued getting rid of unnecessary stuff around my house, in the closets, in the drawers, in the attic.... and it makes me feel more free and lighter. Less bound to things. I heard it said, "If you want a cleaner house, own less stuff!"... and it's true. How I love when I can clean up an area and make it feel more calm.... with less busy energy surrounding it.  Maybe I'm just looking for serenity wherever I can find it these days. Trying to create it where I can in a world that seems wounded and bleeding in so many ways. My prayers lately seem to revolve around healing. Physical, emotional, spiritual... healing... for so many. It's a crazy world. Maybe even more so for introspective types. But I'm learning how to let go of things that aren't mine to worry about, or are too heavy to carry.... and yet to help where and when I can.

Just some mid-winter thoughts....