So dull and dark are the November
days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world.
~ John Clare, November ~
Last year, throughout the month of November, I vowed
to think of at least one thing I was grateful for, throughout
the month. Too often we concentrate on those things which are
sad and stressful, without remembering all those things which
bless us in our lives. I decided I will keep the November daily
gratitude journal this year too. Since you already know that my
husband and my children mean the world to me, it's not necessary
to mention them in these daily entries - as I am thankful for
them every day of my life!
| November
1st: Today I am thankful for the flutter of
wings and the songs of the chickadees as they visit my feeders
just before sunrise, and just after sunset. I love their exuberance
at finding a fresh supply of sunflower seeds, and their chubby
little bodies make me smile. :) |
November
2nd: Today I am grateful that my husband
financially supports me so that I don't have to work outside
the home. I don't miss working outside the home at all.
I did it from the time I was 15, had no choice but to do
it while I was a single mom, and after Steve and I married
I did it because kids really cost a lot of money to raise!
I worked when we got to AK for a few years, but didn't feel
very fulfilled in the job. I am so thankful that I had the
option to stop working.
Now my work is keeping the house
in order, while bringing in a few extra bucks doing free-lance
web design and selling photos, and letting my husband know
how proud I am of him, and how grateful I am that he takes
good care of me. |
| November
3rd: Today
I am thankful for good company and good food. Steve
and I had a wonderful breakfast with our new friends Lisa
and Charlie. Lisa found my Alaska Journal several years ago,
and we ran into each other once in Denali Park, but this is
the first time the four of us had a chance to get together.
It was nice to finally meet them and have time to chat. I
hope we'll see more of each other while they are here in Alaska. |
| November
4th:
Today I am grateful for the fox footprints I found in my driveway,
and around the side of my house, before they disappeared into
the woods. It would be awesome if Mr. Fox would show himself
again - preferably when I have my camera around my neck! I
haven't seen a fox in this area since before we moved into
the house. Oh how I love living in a place where we are surrounded
by wild animals! |
We had absolutely no visitors to our house on Halloween
night. I didn't expect to see too many kids, but wasn't prepared
for no visitors. I suppose a lot has to do with the fact that
our homes are spaced far apart here, and that many families have
decided to take advantage of the public venues for trick or treating.
I didn't buy a lot of candy (thank goodness!), but now Steve and
I will have to eat it all ourselves. That's never a good
thing!
On Friday night, I picked up my friend Abby and
we did the "First Friday" circuit around town. First
Friday is an event that takes place on the first Friday of each
month, when various venues allow artists, craftsman, photographers,
jewelry makers, etc. to bring in their work and display it for
the public. The event lasts about 3-4 hours, and there are usually
8-12 galleries and shops involved. I checked out the schedule
in the local newspaper, and planned our route so that we could
visit all the places we wanted to, in the most gas-efficient way.
Our final stop was Willow Creek Clothing (519 12th
Avenue), so I could chat with the owner, Joanne. On Friday, she
had Two Sisters Beading (two gals who work with beads to make
beautiful jewelry) displaying their work. My reasoning for stopping
by to see her was two-fold. Not only was I interested in seeing
the jewelry on display, but I wanted to see the set-up of her
store as I'm going to be displaying
my photographs there for December's First Friday!!!!
I was so nervous about doing this show, but now
that I've talked to Joanne, I feel a little more relaxed. My only
goal is to get my work 'out there' so that people will know who
I am. I'm not so much concerned about making any sales (but of
course, that's always a good thing), as I am about meeting folks
from the community and sharing my passion for photography and
this great state. So.... if you're local and you read this journal,
please stop by and say hello. And if I stammer, or get all red
in the face (yes, I do tend to blush when I'm nervous), try to
understand that I'm new to this. *grin*
I hope to also be doing the March First Friday
here in North Pole - at The Grange. This is still in
the planning stages, and I'll update with more details as things
come together.
I haven't had a chance to play with my new lens
much yet. After breakfast on Saturday, we took a roundabout way
home, circling Fairbanks on the outermost streets. I had my camera
with me and we stopped a few times so I could snap a few photos.
It was an overcast day, and snow was falling off and on all day
long. I consider these photos snapshots, more than photographs,
and I can't wait to really get out there with my new lens and
play.
