"We become what we think about." ~ Earl Nightingale

Welcome to Sacred Ruminations

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,


Thursday, December 31, 2009

Blue Skies and Random Reflections - 2009



Happy New Year to All
from sunny Southern California!


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for other Sky Watchers
I've shared a Mosaic of 13 Wintry Beach Sky Views
at Small Reflections today.

Thirteen ...
How Time Flies
1. On this last day of 2009, I'm grateful for so many things, and I'm glad I've kept a 'Daily Gratitude List' in my sidebar at Small Reflections for the past 14 months & transferred those lists to Happily Retired Gal ... for it's the small things (all too easily forgotten) that seem to matter most these days. I'm also glad share Really Good Things and Blog My Blessings periodically. Looking back at these lists reminds me of experiences I might otherwise forget.

2. This is my 462nd post here at Sacred Ruminations ... my 148th for this year. Added to 652 posts at Small Reflections, 210 at Happily Retired Gal, and 33 at Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs ... that makes a total of 1362 posts in the 26 months since I started blogging. Somehow this boggles my mind ... especially since I'd never even SEEN a blog before a friend I met at the Taos Writer's Retreat (who lives in New Mexico) gave me a 'guided lesson' over the phone in late October of 2007 and helped me set up a blog ... then pestered me to publish something!

3. Looking at my early posts, I realize how little I knew about this virtual world back then. I'm amazed by what I've learned ... the people from all over the world I've encountered & the connections created ... and the expansive potential as yet unexplored. I'm grateful for it all.

4. The 'writer' in me has taken a back seat to the 'photographer' this past year. I'm hoping to find some 'balance' in the coming months by setting clear 'intentions' and clarifying 'focus' for each of my blogs ... sharing primarily writing here as I did initially and reconnecting with virtual friends I've lost track of in the past 12 months. Perhaps I'll pick up
One Single Impression again ... it's a challenge I used to enjoy and kept me in touch with creative souls in the Blogosphere.

5. I've enjoyed learning to use Photoshop Elements to create mosaics and am pleased with the gradual refinements & embellishments added over recent months. When I look at early efforts, I'm appreciative of the Adult School classes offered where I live. Without guidance, I suspect I might have given up early on.

6. Today is Molly's 5th birthday and if the drizzily weather clears, I plan to take her to Dog Beach to run & play with her fur-friends ... and perhaps to the Doggie Spa after if they have time for her.
If not, I suspect I'll be giving her a bath myself.

7. If you've not seen Jib Jab's Review of 2009, you can find it at Small Reflections along with a Mosaic of Wintry Beach Skies (and a bit of Haiku). These can be contrasted with 13 Beach Sunsets shared a couple of weeks ago here at Sacred Ruminations.

8. I know how fortunate I am to live where I do and love sharing my Southern California Coastal Views & photos from my sister on the road with you on each of my blogs. I try to keep my 'labels' and links up to date & accurate, but if you encounter problems with any of them, I'd appreciate a 'heads up' so I can fix them. My email address is available on my Blogger Profile page.

9. I love seeing 'wintry wonderland views' shared by many of you who live in different parts of the world without having to put on shoes or a jacket. Thanks so much for sharing as you do.

10. One of these days I may update my list of 101 Things About Me (or not). Every now and again someone finds it & leaves me a comment there, and when I get the email notification I find myself feeling 'exposed' ... but then that's what writing is all about, isn't it?

11. Sometimes it's fun to revisit my beginnings by checking out my
Top 7 in '07 Small is Beautiful Review of Small Reflections and 2007 Blog Review of Sacred Ruminations ... just because. Reading those early comments reminds me of how visitors kept me posting early on ... before blogging took on a life of its own and makes me want to reconnect with those bloggers I've lost track of due to time constraints and shifting priorities. Perhaps these thoughts should be part of #3 above, but I'm running out of time and need to get this published so methinks I'll leave it as is.

12. Ohmygosh ... sitting here staring at the computer screen I realize there are too many thoughts swirling in my head and deciding which to share has me 'stuck' ... especially since the sun's up and Molly is pestering me for her early morning walk. It rained all day yesterday so she's filled with extra energy so I don't think I can ignore her much longer.

13. So ... here I am at #13 so I guess I'll end with this graphic and a few thoughts for the day ... just because ;-)



Click for others participating in Thursday Thirteen

Thoughts for the New Year
"There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." Thomas Edison

"Don't make quitting an option if there is something you want to achieve." David Leonhardt

" Every situation is perfect the way it is. Every circumstance offers you a lesson that will help you become the person you're capable of being." Marianne Williamson

35 comments:

Andi said...

Your "Thoughts for the New Year" are very fitting. I hope you have a very happy new year!

Gattina said...

I started one blog in 2006, and had no idea of what it really was. Nobody could help me, I discovered slowly slowly all by myself. And photography too, just like you. I just had 1000 posts on Writer Cramps, but I should also count the others. I had to split my first blog into 4, my travels, the cats, the photos and my "cramps", lol
Happy New Year to you !!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I really like your quotes! What's up with Thursday's Thoughts picture? I love it, was it perhaps taken by you? I can't believe anyone could get a picture like that. You said you are looking forward to snow pictures, check out my post from about a week or so ago called "The Aftermath". We just had over two and a half feet of snow. I am also really looking forward to pictures from California! So don't let up on your picture taking right when I've come on board!! Happy New Year!!!!!

Irishcoda said...

Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

Alice Audrey said...

I don't know how you find the time to do so much in so many places.

Shelley Munro said...

Blogging is fun, isn't it? Happy New Year.

Carver said...

What a beautiful tree against the blue sky. Happy New Year!

jillconyers said...

Great thoughts on 2009. I love playing with PSE. I just got PSE8! Your mosaics are always a pleasure.

Happy and healthy new year to you :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I really enjoyed reading those comments -- it's interesting to learn how you started blogging "from scratch" because all of your blogs, since I've been reading you, are so extremely well done.
Needless to say, I also loved seeing the blue skies. Happy New Year again!

Journeywoman said...

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2010.

I am Harriet said...

I use Photoshop a lot!
Happy New Year to you :)

Pamela said...

blessings on your coming year!

colleen said...

I just got totally lost, went into jib jab world, then to facebook and back.

I like to review my posts too. It's a wonderful virtual journal aka filing cabinet for writers.

Have a happy one!

eden said...

I have photoshop but I am not very good at it:)

Love the tree with the blue sky a lot. Thanks for sharing.

My entry

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Can't tell where to post for the 31st. Hope to see more of your great work in 2010!

Jan
GDP

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy New Year

LadyFi said...

You have certainly achieved a lot this year. Here's to even more goals achieved in the coming year.

Ralph said...

The sky is beautiful, the best thing about the Golden State - I feel warmer by merely looking at your splendid skies...

Your thirteen thoughts are a nice read. I hadn't thought about the blogging world before Patti convinced me to start one. I have 'met' so many wonderful people from all over the world. As long as I keep it fun and not make it a job, the enjoyment shall not end. You operate the same way, writing is a wonderful way to keep things in perspective - and real, too. Happy New Year to you in beautiful SoCal!

maryt/theteach said...

I've enjoyed your photos throughout the year, storyteller. Please stay devoted to photography! :) Happy New year to you and Happy Birthday to Molly! :)

Linnea said...

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts and photos throughout 2009. I'm wishing you a new year of happiness and continued joy in the blogging world! happy new year from Norcal...

Martha Z said...

Nice to see the blue SoCal skies as I sit surrounded by gray skies. I love the immage you chose for your reflections. I have not been blogging as long as you but share many of your reflections on it.
Happy New Blogging Year!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Here's a thought I would like to add to your list. I'm thankful for YOU and for your being such a sweet and special bloggy friend. May all the blessings of the Lord be yours throughout 2010 and always!

Happy New Year...

XO,

Sheila :-)

jeanne said...

I'm very happy we've connected here in the blog world. I feel the same way about letting my pictures to the forefront and not writing as much. Hoping to balance the two more this year. Love that rose picture and the giraffe in your sidebar is so cute! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Vicky said...

Hi, wishing you and your love ones a happy and blessed new 2010!
God bless you alsways!

Paulie said...

Hi and Happy New Year! I hope you have a terrific year and many blessings.

BTW, If your internet provider allows you several addresses, you can just make a new blog from a different email or use a google addy or a yahoo one or hotmail one. Nothing to it. That helps when you run out of space.

EG CameraGirl said...

Blogging really is fun, isn't it?

All the best in 2010!

Maude Lynn said...

Happy New Year, Storyteller!
And, Happy Birthday to Molly!

Janice said...

Thanks for the thoughts, photos and everything over the past year, I'm glad we connected thru haiku. One of my goals for '10 is to get better at PhotoShop and Illustrator as well. Love the quotes. Going to check out the 5th birthday link and your haiku next, I can see you'll keep me hopping this year, which is inspiringly good!

Martha's Favorites said...

Wow, you get more interesting every day. Thank you for your kind words. I did not know I had to write 100 things about myself. I will get to it. I do not think I have nearly that much to say. You write so beautifully. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your blog. May God richly bless you this new year! Martha

Kathy said...

I enjoyed reading your year in review - blogging has become an unexpected joy in my life as well!
Blessings to you and yours in 2010!
xo...Kathy

Amanda Moore said...

Finishing my 100 things about me.... I would like to get past 50! I think it would be a blast to have you come with Ebie and I, we'll work something out!
HNY!

Dick said...

"Happy New year"

George said...

I like your year-end thoughts, and I always enjoy your postings.
Happy New Year!

Mary said...

Great year end thoughts. Thanks for stopping by my blog. You might like the photos of the flower displays in the Horticulture Building. It was awesome and one of the things that we all enjoyed while in Washington. Drop by to see them when you have a moment. The buildings made out of plants are amazing.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year.
Blessings,
Mary

Japa said...

Great thoughts. Happy New Year!