tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post6556763744667983141..comments2024-02-16T06:59:59.062-06:00Comments on Quarry Garden Stained Glass: It's Getting CloserKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-41430270538885693392017-12-28T21:51:37.390-06:002017-12-28T21:51:37.390-06:00Hi Karen,
Just wanted to say I hope you found som...Hi Karen,<br /><br />Just wanted to say I hope you found some peace at Christmas. I read your comment (only today) and read that sometimes you "think dark thoughts". I think that is normal after a beloved person has died for it makes us think of the meaning of life and death. I hope that as time passes a bit, the edge on the pain will dull and you will remember the joyful moments and treasure them more and more. As John said: "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it". I hope that if you have such dark thoughts, you will divert your thoughts in a better direction, a direction that you will see the shining light that is your Mother's spirit. It is hard when we are being orphaned left, right and centre to think in other ways but it is also heartwarming for you and me to know that our loved ones were blessed with long lives and knew (recognized) us until the very end. That in itself is a huge gift. You could not have been kinder or more generous to your mother and she was well-aware of that. I myself was left with a sense of failure that took me a year to overcome. Your kindness and generosity shone through these pages, too. We are not really raised in our society to think of the wonders at the end of life. I have been sitting here tonight thinking that this is the first Christmas that I really felt like celebrating in a long time but didn't do so. I bought Christmas decorations from my favourite camera store that is going out of business that I can use next year. As an update, only the telephoto lens was broken: the camera actually survived. The good news is that the insurance company covers the cost of the new lens: the bad news is the new lens cannot be used on my old camera (except perhaps on manual which I cannot use due to my eye damage). And so I'm faced with getting a new camera. The bad news is the cost; the good news is that the new lens has incredible advantages over my old one. I was diagnosed with macular degeneration just in late fall and in both eyes, on top of all of my other eye damage. I have been thinking of giving up photography entirely so why buy a new camera? To me, it has, except for the initial outlay, been a very low cost hobby. But as I sat here, I thought "I am going to get a new camera and make the very best of my eyesight and photograph to the max this coming spring, summer and fall". Why not? Now is the time in our lives to have fun, to appreciate beauty on a daily basis, to turn to great nieces or grandchildren and give them more opportunities to know us and for us to treasure them, even more. Now is the time to enjoy life to its fullest. And so, dear Karen, I hope you have a healthy, happy new year rick with blessings and beauty. AnnEllie's friend from canadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240956258453579270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-79675587673716166282017-12-23T08:05:26.696-06:002017-12-23T08:05:26.696-06:00I just love your blue Christmas tree in the gazebo...I just love your blue Christmas tree in the gazebo. It looks so beautiful! I love all your lights, and I'm sure people who pass by appreciate them too. We only managed to get one tree lit up outside, though we put out a couple lit up snowmen, which kept keeling over until we finally figured out how to stake them. It seems to have been such a crazy and busy year for everyone this year, but especially for you. I wish you and your family a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year!Indiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14004102653896371835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-38886935601638114442017-12-20T12:38:52.497-06:002017-12-20T12:38:52.497-06:00I'm still laughing at 'From a procrastinat...I'm still laughing at 'From a procrastination standpoint, today has been wildly successful.' That is outstanding! I'm going to borrow that from you and use it liberally. That could not be more applicable to me! <br /><br />Your Christmas lights are just lovely, very well done. Merriest of Christmases to you and Carl and the family. El Gauchohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16123486882754116176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-28168375407840651632017-12-19T21:21:23.123-06:002017-12-19T21:21:23.123-06:00What a beautiful tribute to your mom. Sorry you...What a beautiful tribute to your mom. Sorry you're having to deal with nursing homes and so many difficult family situations in a short period of time. I hope your aches and pains will subside soon. Your light show is magical!Beth @ PlantPostingshttps://plantpostings.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-65454953689282252662017-12-18T19:30:48.416-06:002017-12-18T19:30:48.416-06:00Karen,
I would love to drive past your place, it l...Karen,<br />I would love to drive past your place, it looks magical. Happy Christmas to you.africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-54507896403683072442017-12-18T12:49:51.027-06:002017-12-18T12:49:51.027-06:00Thank you, Betsy, yes, the nursing home visits are...Thank you, Betsy, yes, the nursing home visits are very difficult, though they are in a nice assisted living for now. We don't know how long they will manage there due to their advancing health issues. I am hoping the stress is the cause of my random misery, too. I am not sure how I'll cope with the same things in just a few short years, either. None of this is easy, is it? I'll get the village up soon, I promise. :-)Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-13683390843077436542017-12-18T11:55:15.918-06:002017-12-18T11:55:15.918-06:00Your decorations outside are beautiful!!! Can'...Your decorations outside are beautiful!!! Can't say it enough. I decorated mine outside the first thing after Thanksgiving. I was scared we would get cold bad weather and we did. The rest inside, just finishing. Can't get with it. <br />I know exactly how you feel about nursing home visits and taking care of the elderly this way. We have to take mom to a nursing home after Christmas. Her money has run out from the sale of her house and it's too expensive where she is. Can't stand thinking bout it.<br />You probably have stress causing lots of those aches and pains. Mine was stress related to some of mine.<br />I see mistletoe on top of your doorway and I love your staircase. Show your village when you put it up, would love to see it.<br />betsyBetsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12285774814387516190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-11267304585566451692017-12-18T11:48:31.331-06:002017-12-18T11:48:31.331-06:00Peter, maybe this is my last hurrah? I hate to th...Peter, maybe this is my last hurrah? I hate to think that is a possibility, but there are days when I'm down in the dumps and think dark thoughts. Hence, the lights! And yes, skiing is fun. Sometimes. (At least when I'm vertical.) <br /><br />Merry Christmas, Peter!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-26346392813800067582017-12-18T11:45:17.563-06:002017-12-18T11:45:17.563-06:00Rainey, yes, as if I don't have enough vision ...Rainey, yes, as if I don't have enough vision problems, we decide to ski in the dark. :-) We're very silly, aren't we? Now I just have to find some ambition to get the cleaning, baking, and wrapping done. I wonder where I left my ambition?? Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-11503721001316008782017-12-18T11:42:41.461-06:002017-12-18T11:42:41.461-06:00Hello Dear Ann! I'm sorry your camera broke. ...Hello Dear Ann! I'm sorry your camera broke. I'm down to using my cellphone as a camera since my son and I used to share his Nikon. Of course, he needs it more than I do. :-) Good idea about sending the cards out a little later; I may just have to do that myself. I love getting cards (and letters) any time of year. Yes, the furnace situation was a real shock...we've been going over to Carl's parents' home every day to check on it and somehow dropped the ball on my Mom's house. Too many houses to deal with, sadly. I'm glad you were able to head off disaster at your brother's home, too. I have to admit, I don't like going into either of the houses very much; especially Mom's. The house is so empty without her there. I saw her snow boots on the basement stairs and teared up; she was such an amazing woman. So many memories, but best of all, they are all good, happy memories. Thank you, Ann. Merry Christmas!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-52552012978024037042017-12-18T09:40:04.112-06:002017-12-18T09:40:04.112-06:00With all you've got on your plate and so much ...With all you've got on your plate and so much pain to boot, it's amazing to me that you've done so much decorating! Your lights are beautiful and I'm sure everyone passing by enjoys them a great deal. Your pictures made my day. <br />"dkiing is fun. Really." made me chuckle. Happy solstice, merry Christmas, and all the best for the new year!outlawgardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08273973572989510382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-83744374679417790762017-12-18T04:39:25.331-06:002017-12-18T04:39:25.331-06:00So good to see a Christmasy post from you. I love ...So good to see a Christmasy post from you. I love all of your lights. The lights are something I look forward to every year.<br /><br />I can't imagine your cross country skiing in the dark. YIKES!<br /><br />Happy Christmas to you and Carl ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLadyFlowerLady Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678852154334714784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-44074590932350209362017-12-18T01:47:52.702-06:002017-12-18T01:47:52.702-06:00Hi Karen,
It's so nice to read about your ligh...Hi Karen,<br />It's so nice to read about your lights and activities. You know Christmas cards received between<br />Christmas and New Year's are equally loved. Your blog brightens up my day considerably. I accidentally broke my camera today. When I was in charge of my brother's house, I had to check it every day for the insurance to be valid. One Friday, we had warm weather so I didn't go over, but on Monday the temperature was going to drop from +30 to -30º in a couple of hours so I sped over. Wouldn't you know, the motor had quit. There was a scramble to get it fixed on an emergency basis.<br />Luckily none of the water pipes had frozen. So I sympathize with your trips to check on your mother's house. The first Christmas without your mother is difficult but I hope you will be warmed by the lovely memories of Christmases past and have a lovely, restful, peaceful Christmas. It's hard to believe it's almost here already. A blessed Christmas to you and yours. AnnEllie's friend from canadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240956258453579270noreply@blogger.com