Patterns

I went for a walk this morning along the South Fork of the Merced River here in Yosemite. 

It's hard to believe today is the last day of 2011. We had a high of 55 degrees! Goodbye to a warm December. 

As I neared the river, however, the temperature significantly dropped and I was delighted to see ice and snow! 

And such pretty patterns too. I discovered them first in the ice. Then I began looking everywhere...    

Prelude

My talented little sisters had a piano recital today. They had practiced diligently and both preformed flawlessly. As the last notes faded in a wave of applause, such beautiful smiles spread across their faces. They were proud of their accomplishment. So was I and all the rest of the family beaming from the audience. Music has always been a passion in our family, and I'm excited to see my little sisters discovering that passion for themselves. 

They are music in my life.     

Our Tree

It was one of those instances where you're working so closely with something that you don't even see what's evolving right before your very own eyes... 

The kids and I began excavating shortly after breakfast. 

The living room floor was enveloped in a couple dozen boxes and bags of various shapes and sizes. Their content was sifted, sorted, and scrutinized with the utmost severity.

 Not just any old ornament would be allowed a spot on our magnificent tree... 

Pieces were at long-last chosen and hung with the greatest of care. The last bow was tied and the lights were plugged in.

We all stepped back as stared... 

... and that's when we first saw it - our Christmas tree. 

    

I'm HOOOOOOOOOME!!!

Feels like home...

There's a place that means more to me than any other spot on earth... I struggle expressing with words the feelings I get thinking about being there. It seems the farther I go from it, the more I long to return.

My bags are packed, my ticket is printed, and my alarm is set for 3 a.m. 

I'm writing because I can't sleep.  

I find that music is often the channel through which my feelings best express themselves. A song can say more for me than most anything I could write. So this is the song I'm feeling tonight....