Year in Review....

In no particular order... certainly not chronological... The year has been what it has been... As I look back, I know I could have done, been better. I hope for the future. I dream of the past. I fear the unknown, and I dread the repetition that numbs the soul. I sit here one half hour before I head down the road to my second eye surgery... If all goes well, and I think it will, I will not see the world through foggy, unclear, blurry vision again for a while, if ever. True to my soul, I have developed a way of looking at the world that sort of makes the best of the situation I was dealt. I am one to grumble a bit, sure, but I usually try my best to see the glass half full... Sometimes that irritates my son, my dearest of friends.. but it's me. I am excited and blessed by new vision for the upcoming year. But ah, the mystery and the rationalization of what might, "just might" lie in the wings surrounding me in the cloud of non-vision... that mystique and blurring wonder is gone. Clarity is a gift. I must not ever think it otherwise. I can hope only that next year finds me here in as good a shape as we are now. I honestly don't like change, sometimes not even for the better... Distrustful of the future although it's never been anything but kind hearted to me.

These snapshots of the year seem paltry compared to so many other blogs. They've refinised rooms, furniture... decorated for parties, made fine jewelry... I've set the table. But that has been the most fun of the year... inviting guests into mother's home and making merry with dear family and friends.... So, draw up a chair to our table and enjoy some good old comfort food and hot tea.... or sweet iced tea... Soup's on. Come in from the cold.


The year... generally it starts in January, but for teachers... it's September or late August... I prepared for my 34th year in teaching....

Memorial Day at Mom's... Spring's locust flowers are simply breathtaking. My first spring and summer away from home... This was my childhood house... Daddy's barn reigns supreme in the photos...

And then it's autumn... and my door welcomes the stray fey.... That's fine with me... I'm not a big fan of summer. This one brought such stormy nights, snakes... and yet a nice vacation from school...

June's my birthday... It was a honey. I have used these wonderful dishes to many times to make the kitchen seem more like home... Prim and magical.....

Biggest change for me in years was the eye surgery.. Second eye is today... and then they will be "normal." Wow... the first of the six million dollar woman... We can rebuild her! haha...

My girl, Dartha... I love my lake ducks and geese...

Quackerack... He's such a sweetheart....

Lucky Irish me... St. Patrick's Day is always special with me. After all, my ancestor, John Tedford, arrived here in 1704.... straight from the emerald isle.

New shoes.... to replace my eight year old friends.....

Easter's bounty...

=

My cousin visited from California... She was a special treat because I didn't realize I had her until only very recently... It was so much fun to get acquainted...

Life is so different living at Mom's... I feel like Cinderella... between the ball and the fairy tale...

Shirley Temple's party at Mom's.... such fun...

Sorority Fall Party... Sesquicentennial Celebration in our town

Have fun on your tour.... Talk soon....