One year ago today,

I published my first post, “Hello World”. Testing 1 2 3… What a thrill and what a ride it’s been! The year flew by and will continue to fly by at an alarming rate since I’m over a half-century old now. Ughh. Honestly, blogging has probably been one of most enjoyable experiences for me. It has given me an opportunity to know and admire so many wonderful folks who have inspired me, like the “Flock” and others - you know who you are. Because of this anniversary, I examined the reasons I blog once again. There are previous posts written by me on the same subject, here and here. Over the weekend, I revisited some of my posts and came to some conclusions about things I want to change.

I need to freshen up my blog appearance and take time to create a new template and learn new things like uploading videos and playing with the sidebar. I want to be more concise and abbreviate my posts. Blogging will remain to be my passion but not an obligation. If I have something worthwhile to post, that’s great, but I won’t fret over subject matter on my way home from work anymore. Learning to be an ant-type blogger instead of a crazy, off the cuff grasshopper will be a challenge for me but I am going to give it a go. At 10:00 p.m. on weeknights, I’ll listen to my body and shut down the darn computer instead of reading blogs until 11:00 p.m. (maybe). Complaining about the weather will be forbidden (maybe – who am I kidding?). North Carolina is a beautiful state and I want to see more of it to share through my blog.

There are things that I won’t change. No way. No how.

My desire to find a way to work less hours and still afford birds and shopping sprees with Gina will make me investigate options.

My girlfriends want me to be with them more often.

Odd things will always have my attention, and

I’ll always have a view that many won’t notice.

Grieving for a very battered hummingbird that stopped by two days ago on her journey - I can’t help feeling that way.

I’ll keep making u-turns and fast pull-overs vs. the law in high hopes of seeing hawks, Great Blue Herons, Great White Egrets, and vultures, even when the pond waters are evaporated.

A few minutes to reflect on the sky’s reflection on water will keep me happy, always.

It would be nice to post a photo of myself once in a while. With that said, here’s a rant! I will always rant about something like,

Why do very tall people hang art and mirrors at their own eye level? I was on crutches when he mounted this mirror and appreciated his effort but every time I walk by it I shake my head. The bathroom mirror in the first home we bought back in 1977 must have been hung by a seven-foot tall man. I had a hissy fit about it and made them lower it eighteen inches. I'm a little tall, at 5-1"!

So, feeling silly last night, I tried to photograph me at the bedroom dresser. Poor lighting without a flash, but here it is.

To everyone who lifts me up, thank you. Hugs.