Yet another river photo...
The mail just arrived in our mailbox.
My mom’s good friend, Rose, from Florida–and originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Lake Linden) when she was a young girl–sent a Christmas card.
She included a clipping from the Fort Myers newspaper.
It showed “Pictures from Paradise” winners. This is a photography contest in a Fort Myers newspaper.
Rivershapes
She suggested maybe I might be interested in entering the contest. Maybe with one of the pink spoonbill or egret photos from our recent trip to Florida.
Pink spoonbill
On another note–but related, as you shall see–Kiah, our daughter, called last week, during the height of my gall bladder agony. See blog here if you have no idea what I’m talking about.
She said, “Mom, I was going to wait until Christmas to tell you this.”
“What?” I said eagerly. OK, maybe not so eagerly, as I was probably nursing said gall bladder trying to keep from having an acute attack.
Yellow birch over ice
“You know, Mom, when I go to so many places on the Internet I feel neutral or not-so-good. But whenever I come to your blog–I end up feeling happy. Really happy. Because it feels so real, so honest.”
And then our son, Christopher, also called recently. “Do you want a hard copy of your blog for Christmas?” he asked.
OK, maybe I’ve completely lost it, but I am feeling on top of the world from early Christmas gifts like these. THANK YOU, Rose and Kiah and Christopher! You have no idea how the simple gift of your words lifted my heart and spirit during one of those–shall we say?–challenging weeks.
More rivershapes
Maybe I will enter the pink spoonbill or snowy egret photos in the Fort Myers newspaper contest! Maybe this blog does make a positive difference for some folks! Maybe life is really A-OK.
People really do care. Life shines brighter than the lights on the Christmas tree.
Even if we’re suppose to get a foot of snow before the weekend ends.
Let’s not forget to share our appreciation with others! Over and over and over again! Our gratitude, our joy.
Let’s pass it on.
Rivertracks
I am SO grateful for all of you, dear readers!! You have no idea how grateful I am. Your presence and comments fill my days with joy. I hope I express this to you enough! Thank you, and thank you, and thank you again.
Lake Superior Spirit 
Kathy I am smiling and breathing into your truths shared back to you by those you love. As one of your regular readers, I echo what Kiah says about the honesty that comes through in your post – a genuine real human-being kind of writing. It is refreshing and inspiring. Thank you for being you and sharing that you with us. Terrill
Terrill, you share of yourself in ordinary extraordinary ways every single day. I see you giving of yourself over and over again, in so many ways. I appreicate you so much. thank you!
We’re just giving back what you give to us! I so much enjoy reading about life in your house in the woods…or wherever you travel. And I think a hard copy of your blog would be a great gift!
Your blog gives so much, too, Dawn! I thank you for being such a regular reader and giving back comment after comment. You are a gift. I admire you more than you will know.
No!!
Thank You
You are like a lighthouse on Lake Superior!!!
ENTER SPOONBILL!!
Kim, here you are, going through a rough patch in your own life–and yet you can say kind things like this. Your comments light up many lighthouses across this blogosphere. (Yep, gonna do it!) thank you.
We love you as you love us……such a beautiful reflection! Shine on, Kathy, shine on!
Usually you can enter more than one photo in a contest, so my vote is that you enter both. They’re really quite stunning and you just never know!
We reflect one another so brightly so many times, Sue! I am so very grateful to have you as a friend–to go camping with you under shooting stars in the Keweenaw and share lunches in Lake Linden. Thank you for so much that you give! So happy about the new doors and windows opening in your life. (OK, I will try to enter both in the contest–it will be fun anyway.)
🙂
Dear Elisa, you know how much I appreciate you, don’t you? Your bits & pieces of ordinary wisdom in so many places. Thank you for going back to last year and reading my own blog and commenting so many mornings. It is such a pleasure to know you!
I didn’t know you put this here, until today. Just on a day that I very much needed to see it. Thank you.
Glad you found it, then!
Kathy – I, too, am a regular reader. I love what you have to share – the word pictures that you paint and the supporting photographs — both.
Laurie, you are yet another person who gives phenomenally and gives more! You have taught us so much, in so many ways. I love how you show up, how faithful you are, and what a steady light you cast. Blessings to who you are. Infinite blessings.
In love with your family, bio and otherwise … and smiling so big it’s almost melting the snow bank forming against my windows… Love you so. Thank You!!!
Oh Susan D, you know I am in love with YOUR family & bio & otherwise…let’s get serious! lol! So you finally have a snowbank over in the civilized town of Baraga? I love you SO much! I am so glad we met working together at the school… thanking all the six thousand stars up above.
Remembering how wonderful it feels to receive heartfelt compliments or thank you’s should make us want to shower them on others. And I DO thank you, Kathy, for your words and your photos which give me immense pleasure and make me think. Hope you’re feeling better – you seem to have had a health problem while I was away.
Barb, and I appreciate YOU so much too! I love your blog, the quiet simplicity of your words. Your magnificent photos. Your kind comments here. The fact that you’ve been to the Keweenaw. 🙂 I have had a health problem…heck, I’ve had one for five years. Seems like now might be the time for Ms. Gall Bladder’s suffering to end. Waiting to meet with the surgeon tomorrow.
They’re right (Fie on you spam filter!)
Ha ha, John, how did you stay out of the spam filter this time? laughing…you did good. I appreciate YOU too! You have been such a support with your kindness and words of good cheer. Heck, I should send you a Christmas card. Or you can consider this your Christmas card! Or maybe we can eat at Carla’s some time when you’re up? Although they might close for the winter. Thank YOU.
Kathy, I also echo what Kiah so beautifully expressed. So honest and true and happy-making……you always make my heart smile 🙂
Colleen, you are another shining star that radiates light into my days, over and over and over again. Thank you for being YOU. (And you can take what you said–honest and true and happy-making and apply them to yourself, dear mirror!)
You give us something to look forward to on your blog, Kathy. Your nearly daily posts are filled with humor or inspiration or things to think about (or a combination of those) and they make me wonder how you find so much to say on a regular basis that makes us keep coming back for more!
Karma, ohmygoodness! I have SO much to say! I could write six blogs a DAY! I am not kidding. I have no idea where all these stories come from–ok, not true. It was from almost 30 years of having so much to say and no one to share it with. so here you have it! 30 years worth of repressed stories!
(And you know how much I appreciate you, don’t you?? Thank you for YOUR honesty, your sharing, your gifts!)
I always look forward to your images and the way you weave them together with words. Lovely thoughts from your children. And the yellow birch photo is exquisite.
Tammy, thank YOU so much. I love it that both kids appreciate this blog and know what it means to me…and Barry does too. Thank you for your readership and the gift of your blog that you share with the world. You help so many people who want to live a more natural earth-based life. I admire you so much, truly.
Oh yes, the world really is just fine. At least the parts not populated by politicians. Your blog is always a breath of fresh air, words and pictures both. A hard copy of your blog? A wonderful gift!
Carol, last year he gave me a hard copy of the 365 day outdoor blog. Both kids are regular readers (although Kiah comments more than Chris.) I am glad you find this blog a breath of fresh air. Yours is, too! We need to share that fresh air of joy with the world…I appreciate you, Carol.
This is so beautiful, Kathy. What lovely gifts. Kiah is right.
Thank you, marianne! So much…