Better Days
Standing in the mud, water dripping from the crumbling roof and down the sagging siding of this once-beloved farmhouse, I realize this might be the last time I take my traditional New Year’s photo here. In the past, I’ve taken shots of the mantle above the fireplace in the upstairs bedroom, but going upstairs is no longer an option. The entire back of the house is basically having a midlife crisis and collapsing in on itself. One of the barns has already toppled like a house of cards in a windstorm. The other barn—where I took one of my favorite photos, the one with the Christmas tree in the doorway—still stands, but someone seems to think it’s an all-you-can-steal buffet. I patched it up once, replacing the stolen siding, but now I’m pretty sure it’s a lost cause. Nature will reclaim it eventually, and whatever’s left will be “reclaimed” by people who think they’re doing the barn a favor by stripping it down to its frame. Spoiler alert: The frame will soon crumble and fall too.
So, no, it’s not exactly the most cheerful scene. Is this the Universe’s way of telling me to move on? To spend my time on something more useful—like, say, not trying to restore a barn that’s one storm away from being a pile of wood chips? Maybe it’s time to focus on new places and new projects that aren’t quite so… doomed.
Every New Year’s I get the same existential question: Is this the year I finally get organized? The answer, as it has been for the last 30 years, is probably not. But hey, one can dream, right? Is this the year I stop hoarding supplies I’m “definitely going to use one day” and embrace minimalism ? (though, full disclosure, have you seen the inside of my car lately? Not likely to happen!) Maybe it’ll be the year I give up junk food and adopt a healthier lifestyle—though I’m pretty sure any “adoption” this year will only involve more homeless cats, adding to the already existing chaos.
So here we are, staring down a shiny new year, filled with fresh hopes and even fresher intentions. Maybe—just maybe—this is the year I’ll make actual progress toward that elusive “better future” I keep promising myself. Because, honestly, I’m running out of new years to make it happen—
And with this, as always.... my wish for you... it’s exactly the same each and every year...
“And you asked me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days
‘Cause I don’t need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days “
~Goo Goo Dolls
Better days my friends.... Thank you for your kind thoughts and words, your encouragement and your friendship. It means to world to me! Happy New Year!
Better Days
Standing in the mud, water dripping from the crumbling roof and down the sagging siding of this once-beloved farmhouse, I realize this might be the last time I take my traditional New Year’s photo here. In the past, I’ve taken shots of the mantle above the fireplace in the upstairs bedroom, but going upstairs is no longer an option. The entire back of the house is basically having a midlife crisis and collapsing in on itself. One of the barns has already toppled like a house of cards in a windstorm. The other barn—where I took one of my favorite photos, the one with the Christmas tree in the doorway—still stands, but someone seems to think it’s an all-you-can-steal buffet. I patched it up once, replacing the stolen siding, but now I’m pretty sure it’s a lost cause. Nature will reclaim it eventually, and whatever’s left will be “reclaimed” by people who think they’re doing the barn a favor by stripping it down to its frame. Spoiler alert: The frame will soon crumble and fall too.
So, no, it’s not exactly the most cheerful scene. Is this the Universe’s way of telling me to move on? To spend my time on something more useful—like, say, not trying to restore a barn that’s one storm away from being a pile of wood chips? Maybe it’s time to focus on new places and new projects that aren’t quite so… doomed.
Every New Year’s I get the same existential question: Is this the year I finally get organized? The answer, as it has been for the last 30 years, is probably not. But hey, one can dream, right? Is this the year I stop hoarding supplies I’m “definitely going to use one day” and embrace minimalism ? (though, full disclosure, have you seen the inside of my car lately? Not likely to happen!) Maybe it’ll be the year I give up junk food and adopt a healthier lifestyle—though I’m pretty sure any “adoption” this year will only involve more homeless cats, adding to the already existing chaos.
So here we are, staring down a shiny new year, filled with fresh hopes and even fresher intentions. Maybe—just maybe—this is the year I’ll make actual progress toward that elusive “better future” I keep promising myself. Because, honestly, I’m running out of new years to make it happen—
And with this, as always.... my wish for you... it’s exactly the same each and every year...
“And you asked me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days
‘Cause I don’t need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days “
~Goo Goo Dolls
Better days my friends.... Thank you for your kind thoughts and words, your encouragement and your friendship. It means to world to me! Happy New Year!