The View From Here (Stopping By Blogs on a Snowy Evening)

Whose blogs these are I think I know...

I'm officially declaring this blog a STRESS-FREE zone. My wonderful friend, Mrs. 4444, sent me this message recently in response to one of my (infrequent) posts: "You know what I love about you? (Well, one thing.) You don't apologize if you don't post every day; it's calming. Your blog (like I'm guessing your home) is a peaceful place to stop by. " That comment made my day. It also made me laugh. Because I think of my home as anything BUT peaceful, most of the time. And, frankly, sometimes the blog feels a bit stressful as well! But I do ASPIRE to a certain level of serenity. In all aspects of my life.

When I'm feeling buried, I love to look outside. The photo above is the view from our front window. It's beautiful year-round. But it's especially peaceful during the winter. There's something about that blanket of snow that is also a blanket of quiet, a blanket of cleanliness and order, a blanket of peace. Oh, there are days I wish that a blanket of quiet, and cleanliness and peacefulness would fall from the sky, like manna, INSIDE the house. Just cover the clutter with a layer of white. Cover the discord with a layer of peace. Cover the hubbub with silence. And stay there for MONTHS! :)

When I REALLY need to detox from all the chaos, I strap on a pair of snowshoes and head for the canyon. There is a quiet and a peacefulness and a letting-go there that is matchless. It's literally like walking into your own private Christmas card. If I go with my friend Mary it's all the better, because she adds her knowledge of the trails and the wildlife, her delightful companionship, and wise, uplifting conversation.

They may not see me stopping here
To watch their blogs fill up below

I want my blog to be a virtual snowshoe trek. Not devoid of chatter. Not at all. Just free from stress. I'm sure it's no surprise to any of you that I feel no pressure to post with any regularity. And sometimes I go completely AWOL. But I always come back. Sometimes for a breather. Sometimes for a quiet, lonely reflective walk. But usually for delightful companionship and wise, uplifting conversation. I love it when we laugh!

Some give their harness bells a shake
Others, just the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

So, the pressure's off. I hope you come often. But I hope you never feel obligated. Just stop by whenever you're in the mood. And I hope you'll add to the conversation with your comments. But never if it becomes a chore. (We all have miles to go before we sleep.) Just comment for the joy of trudging along the trail with a companion or two. I've stopped counting. I choose, instead, to delight in each and every friend who chooses to pass the time here. And revel in the very thought that some are engaged enough to comment, and find it valuable to accompany me on my trek.

The blogs are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.