Hawaii

Just returned from a trip to Maui. It is so beautiful there.

Nearby park and the beach below. We tried to swim everyday, unless the monsoon was still dumping rain on us.
Egret in the shrubs
Palms soaring to the sky.

We stayed for three weeks, the first two weeks with our daughter and two grandsons with us, ages 8 and 5. Unfortunately, most of the dumping rain happened while they were there. But once it eased up we began to see clouds and sometimes sun. They jumped in the waves, and made amazing sand structures. They buried themselves in the sand at one point, until it took a great deal of digging to get them out. 🙂

The sun going down on our last day in Maui. Stunning view. People lined up on the beach to watch it disappear into the water. What a wonderful trip. Then we came home to the familiar February weather on the west coast of Canada. Yes, by the end of the first day back I was wearing a wool pullover. But it was worth it. 🙂

Welcome to 2023

Thank you so much for being part of my community in the last year;— for buying my books in all formats, for being a patron of the blog, for leaving positive reviews on the books and for recommending them to others.

I wouldn’t have this career without you, so thank you and I hope you’ll continue to join me for the year ahead.

So much for quitting the bad habits. 🙂

How did your creative goals go in 2022? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Happy New Year

I just wanted to take the time to wish you all the best for 2023. We are heading into a brand new year and all things are possible. I spent part of the last day of 2022 going through what I had accomplished throughout the year. The list was good, it buoyed me up to read it.

Then I turned a page and tried to list all that I hope to accomplish and finish in the new year of 2023. That list was no longer, but contained a few things that had been on last year’s list but never got complete. I’m okay with that. I feel I gave it my best effort, so if a few things fell off the table, I’ll just give it another try this coming year.

We went with our daughter and two grandsons, aged 5 and 8, to see the light show at the world famous Butchart Gardens for New Year’s Eve. Here are a couple of photos from our visit.

Lights that look like butterfly wings in the dark
Trees captured by the lights.

What did you do for New Year’s Eve?

Big Rocks

I found this post from Terry Odell posted on The Kill Zone and it really spoke to me. Have a look-

A high school science teacher wanted to demonstrate a concept to his students. He takes a large-mouth jar and places several large rocks in it. He then asks the class, “Is it full?”

Unanimously, the class replies, “Yes!”

The teacher then takes a bucket of gravel and pours it into the jar. The small rocks settle into the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asks the class, “Is it full?”

This time there are some students holding back, but most reply, “Yes!” The teacher then produces a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The sand fills up the spaces between the gravel.

For the third time, the teacher asks, “Is it full?”

Most of the students are wary of answering, but again, many reply, “Yes!”

Then the teacher brings out a pitcher of water and pours it into the jar. The water saturates the sand. At this point, the teacher asks the class, “What is the point of this demonstration?”

One bright young student raises his hand and then responds, “No matter how full one’s schedule is in life, he can always squeeze in more things!”

“No,” replies the teacher, “The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the jar, you are never going to get them in. The big rocks are the important things in your life …your family, your friends, your personal growth. If you fill your life with small things, as demonstrated by the gravel, the sand, and the water…you will never have the time for the important things.

So, what are the “Big Rocks” in your life? Spending time with your children, your parents or your spouse? Taking the seminar or class to get the information and perspective you need to succeed? Making the time to set goals, plan or evaluate your progress? When you are hassled because there is no time, remember the story about the Big Rocks and the Jar!”

— Author Unknown