Snow Day Puddle

Just a little fun after a snow day. This one is for Photo Friday #PUDDLE

 

It's Christmas time again...

 

It’s Christmas once again, and I really try to get into the holiday spirit, but it’s become increasingly difficult as the years pass and I realize that the years ahead of me are fewer than those behind me. So here I am, writing this essay—not for anyone else, but for myself, trying to express these emotions so I can push through them and move on.

For me, Christmas has turned into a time of compromise—struggling to find a balance between its spiritual meaning and its secular aspects. As I grow older, I find myself focusing more on the true essence of Christmas and less on the gifts we give and receive. Our family doesn’t celebrate the way we used to either. In years past, we’d gather at my parents’ house, and that little space would fill up with the warmth of hugs and laughter. Some years, when we couldn’t go to my parents’, we’d host at our house, exchanging gifts and enjoying a Christmas feast, lovingly prepared after weeks of planning. But now it’s become “too much trouble” for everyone to come to our house for the holidays, and that thought weighs on me. I never wanted to be the “trouble” for anyone. Yet, as I write this, I think back on the times when I didn’t visit my own parents because it felt like “too much trouble.” Oh, how I wish I could turn back time and visit them every chance I had, spending endless hours just talking to them. But for now, we compromise. My son and his family will come over, each in separate cars, and my son will stop by the store to grab a small gift for us. I’ll say the blessing before dinner, trying to sound as grateful and uplifting as possible. After the meal, we’ll exchange gifts, and I’ll watch the look of disappointment on their faces when the presents you chose with care are met with expressions of disappointment or comments like, “What is this?” A few hours later, everyone will go their separate ways, quietly scrolling through their phones to avoid conversation. And just like that, one family gathering is over, and another awaits.

That brings me to this morning’s conversation. Our family out of state won’t be joining us for Christmas, so we planned to visit them instead. We debated whether to go on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and over the weekend, I thought we’d agreed on Christmas Eve. But this morning, as you were preparing to go to work, I asked for clarification on what I needed to do to get ready to leave this afternoon. Your response was, “You never said okay, so I didn’t think we were going today.” Then you added, “I know you wouldn’t want to go at all, since you just don’t feel it.” I wanted to talk about it more, but you didn’t want to engage. After you left for work, I felt disappointed, as though my feelings didn’t really matter.

I’ve earned the title of “Scrooge” during this time of year because I want to spend less on gifts. Living on a fixed income means we have to be more mindful of our spending. We always talk about scaling back on gifts, but every year we end up spending more than we planned. I try to remind you that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren already have more than they’ll ever need or use. The toys and things we give them will bring joy for only a short while, because there’s always something newer or bigger just around the corner. But please don’t misunderstand me—I don’t begrudge a single gift. I know they are given with love, and that brings you joy. Your generosity is one of the things that make you so special. I love how giving you are, and I know it’s part of who you are.

Now, for the truth that’s hard to admit: I do love Christmas. I love its spiritual meaning, but I also cherish this time of year because it reminds us to pause and think about others—not in a materialistic sense, but in a genuine, heartfelt way. We send greeting cards to friends and family and wish “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” to strangers. If only we could carry that spirit with us all year round, wouldn’t the world be a better place? And wouldn’t it be wonderful if gifts were given from the heart, not just because we feel obligated?

One of the questions I always dread is, “What do you want for Christmas?”

What I want for Christmas is to feel closer to you and our whole family.

What I want for Christmas is to feel that same excitement I once had as a child, waking up early to see what had been left for me under the tree.

What I want for Christmas is one more day, hour, or minute with my mom and dad.

What I want for Christmas is for my failing eyesight to improve so I can marvel at the world around me.

What I want for Christmas is to be able to see more of the beautiful world out there.

What I want for Christmas is for people to treat each other with a little more kindness and respect.

What I want for Christmas can’t be bought in any store. It’s a connection with my family, bound in love.

But most of all, what I want for Christmas is to feel deep gratitude for all the blessings God has given me and to feel connected to the world around me. I want to remember Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace, and for Christmas to be more than just a holiday—but a spiritual occasion.

I always love the moment in A Charlie Brown Christmas when Linus so beautifully explains what Christmas is really about:

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Merry Christmas, Susan. Your love and companionship are the greatest gifts I could ever ask for. I love you more than you will ever know.

LOST!

 

Once a vibrant shade of yellow, Benny the banana lay forgotten in the vast expanse of a Walmart parking lot, lonely and lost. With the bustling shoppers rushing by, he felt abandoned, his hopes of becoming a delicious snack fading with each passing moment. Beneath the gleaming mid-day sun, he dreamed of a home with loving hands to peel him and savor his sweet flavor, yet here he was, a small fruit adrift in a world of asphalt and chaos.

Photo Friday

 WINDSHIELD SHOT

Here's another picture that I posted on the Photo Friday website for the Friday September 30 subject #Windhield_Shot. This was a rainy day and I was scouting out locations to film a short video with the drone following Highway 78 into Leeds, passing underneath the train trestle before continuing through town. 

https://www.photofriday.com/tagged/windshield_shot

 Photo Friday: COAST

Welcome back to the blog. In this post, I am displaying a photograph that I shared on Photo Friday, the weekly photo challenge website. The challenge for this week was #COAST. I assume that the challenge organizers intended this to mean coastline, as in the beach or coast on the ocean. However, I am stretching the meaning of the word coast to include the shoreline. And what do you see at the coastline? Seagulls! And there is no shortage of seagulls far inland, on the shores of Chickamauga Lake. I had to dig a little bit on this one as my photo was taken quite a few years ago at Chester Frost State Park.

 Dad and Mom

#dad

A photo of my dad, LeRoy Howard with my mom Lynette taken in 1954

Obviously I did not take this photo as it was taken a year before my birth but I love this picture of my Mom and Dad.

I've posted this one on Photo Friday for this weeks challenge #dad.

Am I a fraud?

My previous post was not written by me. I asked CHATGPT to write a blog post based upon the following input:

Write a simple blog post explaining that I am in a bit of creative slump and cannot seem to come up with anything new and creative, or attention getting.

So, the post about being in a creative slump was written by AI. It's not a bad post but it really isn't written in my style. It's a bit too clean, maybe a little too eloquent for me. It did however,  capture my feeling and intent. So what do you think? Is AI the wave of the future? Will we all be getting CHATGPT to write for us?

 **Overcoming a Creative Slump: My Journey**

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. Today, I wanted to share something a bit personal that I've been experiencing lately—a creative slump. As someone who loves to create and share my work with you all, it's been a bit disheartening to find myself stuck in this rut. 

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to come up with anything new, creative, or attention-grabbing. Ideas that once flowed effortlessly now feel out of reach, and the usual spark that ignites my creativity seems to have dimmed. It's a frustrating and, at times, isolating experience.

But I believe in being open and honest with my community, and I know that many of you have likely faced similar challenges in your own creative journeys. Creativity is not a constant; it ebbs and flows, and sometimes we just need to ride out the low points.

I've been spending some time reflecting on what might help me overcome this slump. Perhaps a change of scenery, diving into new experiences, or even taking a brief break might be what I need to reignite my creative fire. I'm also exploring different sources of inspiration and allowing myself the grace to step back and breathe. Having said that, I am going to take a break, go to a nice resort in Orland, and laze by the pool for a bit.

I want to thank you all for your continued support and understanding. Your encouragement means the world to me, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.

If any of you have tips or experiences you'd like to share about overcoming creative slumps, I'd love to hear them. Let's support each other through these challenging times and come out stronger and more inspired on the other side.

Until next time,

Ron Howard

Hilton Grand Vacations Resort -Las Palmeras, Orlando, Florida