tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24439853788146350942012-02-27T18:02:00.545-08:00Photography and ProsePhotography captures a moment in time. It makes a moment indelible, permanent, forever. Adding text or words magnifies, enhances the moment. This is where truth as the eye and heart may be told.smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.comBlogger731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-32040495645013357042012-02-21T09:23:00.001-08:002012-02-21T09:27:07.155-08:00When Inspiration Calls<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It all started a month ago when a box of stripey stones arrived from the most talented photographer/creator <a href="http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/">Elizabeth Bunsen</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About this time I scooped up paint that was sitting in a muffin tin and finger painted all over stark white canvases.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0FhfSdFVlM/T0O-_bsUZLI/AAAAAAAAViw/09LFwErO9aU/s1600/_MG_9084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0FhfSdFVlM/T0O-_bsUZLI/AAAAAAAAViw/09LFwErO9aU/s640/_MG_9084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yv4zs8kIlrU/T0O_L4LKD2I/AAAAAAAAVi4/zKQPNxn_2Y4/s1600/_MG_9086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yv4zs8kIlrU/T0O_L4LKD2I/AAAAAAAAVi4/zKQPNxn_2Y4/s640/_MG_9086.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The colorful but neglected canvases sat in a corner waiting for "someone" to gain a bit of inspiration.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>PHOTOGRAPHY</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">what better way to get one's creativity flowing again!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mysterious stone-faced towers, Banyon temples, elaborately chiseled monuments, mountain loads of strewn rock with ancient carvings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Angkor Vat, Cambodia</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMpw5-YL1Hc/T0PPjJmOLBI/AAAAAAAAVlA/ItBFO9QuUMU/s1600/_MG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMpw5-YL1Hc/T0PPjJmOLBI/AAAAAAAAVlA/ItBFO9QuUMU/s640/_MG_2456.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7y0U9e5GPgg/T0PP1nU1KlI/AAAAAAAAVlI/TnI2rDdK6jE/s1600/_MG_2503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7y0U9e5GPgg/T0PP1nU1KlI/AAAAAAAAVlI/TnI2rDdK6jE/s640/_MG_2503.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo28_vtm6sk/T0PIaYd_ACI/AAAAAAAAVjE/0q2sKQMVBTQ/s1600/_MG_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo28_vtm6sk/T0PIaYd_ACI/AAAAAAAAVjE/0q2sKQMVBTQ/s640/_MG_2348.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4Cn6ZrbKZU/T0PJmoXU1yI/AAAAAAAAVjs/b5YZI5iVbA4/s1600/_MG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4Cn6ZrbKZU/T0PJmoXU1yI/AAAAAAAAVjs/b5YZI5iVbA4/s640/_MG_2472.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd-7eLSYi3g/T0PJ72j-KaI/AAAAAAAAVj4/Ky9Jrz8NSPI/s1600/_MG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd-7eLSYi3g/T0PJ72j-KaI/AAAAAAAAVj4/Ky9Jrz8NSPI/s640/_MG_2480.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDmIrQBbqZ8/T0PKK5gQyvI/AAAAAAAAVkA/b0h_XhjRm_g/s1600/_MG_2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDmIrQBbqZ8/T0PKK5gQyvI/AAAAAAAAVkA/b0h_XhjRm_g/s640/_MG_2492.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ16heoflXQ/T0PI6raQBQI/AAAAAAAAVjY/EXR5mLOgoDU/s1600/_MG_2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQ16heoflXQ/T0PI6raQBQI/AAAAAAAAVjY/EXR5mLOgoDU/s640/_MG_2448.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bln3uvfk6PU/T0PJKtiUxLI/AAAAAAAAVjg/dj_Kknaeop0/s1600/_MG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bln3uvfk6PU/T0PJKtiUxLI/AAAAAAAAVjg/dj_Kknaeop0/s640/_MG_2450.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Piles of Cairns</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">my inspiration.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6fWpWVo3Ok/T0PMZ_AoPUI/AAAAAAAAVkg/wUIAaOmDKOQ/s1600/_MG_9144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6fWpWVo3Ok/T0PMZ_AoPUI/AAAAAAAAVkg/wUIAaOmDKOQ/s640/_MG_9144.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6ScxpVsxyc/T0PMh7AW3GI/AAAAAAAAVko/mAug9w57vdw/s1600/_MG_9150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6ScxpVsxyc/T0PMh7AW3GI/AAAAAAAAVko/mAug9w57vdw/s640/_MG_9150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please drop by and see the rest of the Cairn Collection: mixed media paintings. <a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/02/cleaning-out-muffin-tin.html">Click here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">*****************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Heart Thought:</u> my cup runneth over walking these ancient lands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Life and living has so much to teach us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-3204049564501335704?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-71310573942226202152012-02-14T04:02:00.000-08:002012-02-20T20:43:13.214-08:00The Evidence of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Dear friends, work your way down in a lazy-daizy manner, enjoy the snippets of thoughts on each Valentine. (Feel free to print a copy.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">At the end is a treat better than chocolate covered PEEPS.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9NaQIdrCHY/TzfEGVqkOaI/AAAAAAAAVfA/LatGFDM8hLw/s1600/img124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9NaQIdrCHY/TzfEGVqkOaI/AAAAAAAAVfA/LatGFDM8hLw/s640/img124.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUBbxM2JLpI/TzfEQOXqQjI/AAAAAAAAVfI/Jx5Lc7vQfKQ/s1600/img125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUBbxM2JLpI/TzfEQOXqQjI/AAAAAAAAVfI/Jx5Lc7vQfKQ/s640/img125.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7RbUWNNy0M/TzfETAIxryI/AAAAAAAAVfQ/9SP4hlBNplY/s1600/img126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7RbUWNNy0M/TzfETAIxryI/AAAAAAAAVfQ/9SP4hlBNplY/s640/img126.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJt-jduRNA0/TzfEVl9hx0I/AAAAAAAAVfY/ZnZ-GcTQgu4/s1600/img127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJt-jduRNA0/TzfEVl9hx0I/AAAAAAAAVfY/ZnZ-GcTQgu4/s640/img127.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETfm8b4PhfQ/TzfEZKRVmAI/AAAAAAAAVfk/S24EmzohRRY/s1600/img128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETfm8b4PhfQ/TzfEZKRVmAI/AAAAAAAAVfk/S24EmzohRRY/s640/img128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Share a bag of Peeps, or yummy chocolates with your loved ones. Hold them dear.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Love is what binds us together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Love is Evidenced in many ways.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This beautiful video is shared by <a href="http://kateyestudio.com/">Kat Sloma</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A wonderful photographer, teacher, philosopher and artist. It is her gift to us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Dj0DivrIM0s?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Heart Thought: for today, the video is my heart thought.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Kateyestudio</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kateyestudio.com/category/exploring-with-a-camera" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src=" http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n515/ksloma/ExploringwithaCameraButton150x150.png" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span><br /><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-7131057394222620215?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-22228858231376196302012-02-12T12:36:00.000-08:002012-02-12T12:36:21.164-08:00Postcards from Paradise<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A reflection is a color filled shadow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Relax, Drift, Reflect</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDsuIwL6Wno/Tzb31JsZAvI/AAAAAAAAVek/STjhNS75EYU/s1600/_MG_7305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDsuIwL6Wno/Tzb31JsZAvI/AAAAAAAAVek/STjhNS75EYU/s640/_MG_7305.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TonYYUrrbMs/Tzb4A3Les4I/AAAAAAAAVes/fq5W7B0Nc0A/s1600/_MG_7405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TonYYUrrbMs/Tzb4A3Les4I/AAAAAAAAVes/fq5W7B0Nc0A/s640/_MG_7405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXWfkpg-u8/Tzb4LDsvd5I/AAAAAAAAVe4/BL0x3ds2FW8/s1600/_MG_7443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXWfkpg-u8/Tzb4LDsvd5I/AAAAAAAAVe4/BL0x3ds2FW8/s640/_MG_7443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mITCa_jzOQ/TzbjJpoMZCI/AAAAAAAAVds/u5B_3JtJq7w/s1600/_MG_7312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mITCa_jzOQ/TzbjJpoMZCI/AAAAAAAAVds/u5B_3JtJq7w/s640/_MG_7312.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0U_xu2zEDk/TzbjUkrTcPI/AAAAAAAAVd4/eig4-xSNByo/s1600/_MG_7320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0U_xu2zEDk/TzbjUkrTcPI/AAAAAAAAVd4/eig4-xSNByo/s640/_MG_7320.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCn_ClgpCmw/Tzbjdc7qG4I/AAAAAAAAVeA/eVqphiOIQI8/s1600/_MG_7325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCn_ClgpCmw/Tzbjdc7qG4I/AAAAAAAAVeA/eVqphiOIQI8/s640/_MG_7325.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IbT1P8vIRM/TzbjljraDcI/AAAAAAAAVeI/Ep7BNoB0WFA/s1600/_MG_7415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IbT1P8vIRM/TzbjljraDcI/AAAAAAAAVeI/Ep7BNoB0WFA/s640/_MG_7415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4k6_8AaFXM/TzbjtS25ebI/AAAAAAAAVeU/nQDd0S7NLpw/s1600/_MG_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4k6_8AaFXM/TzbjtS25ebI/AAAAAAAAVeU/nQDd0S7NLpw/s640/_MG_7430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Heart Thought: </span><span style="font-size: large;">where do your thoughts drift when your life isn't full of flotsam?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/2011/03/postcards-from-paradise-sacred-ordinary.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="200" src="http://corazon.typepad.com/postcardsfromparadise.rs.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca Brooks Postcards from Paradise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-2222885823137619630?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-86126794681212158002012-02-12T05:30:00.000-08:002012-02-20T20:48:02.892-08:00Scavenger Hunt Sunday<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to my second excursion, photographically speaking</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">to Ashley Sisk's, <a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com/search/label/Scavenger%20Hunt">Scavenger Hunt Sunday</a>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What would you share for this week's five words: Facial Features, Shadows, Spicy, Gold, and Fabric?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Rather than place a word to a photograph, you may choose the subject matter....No worries, no grades here!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRD6LMnxeYo/TzbVFP5zK0I/AAAAAAAAVcw/kYqwLrtsccA/s1600/DSC00983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRD6LMnxeYo/TzbVFP5zK0I/AAAAAAAAVcw/kYqwLrtsccA/s640/DSC00983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Hmmm not too hard. Let's try again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7928fV5KlQ/TzbVdqH4scI/AAAAAAAAVc4/8QYqBRDVxLs/s1600/DSC00662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c7928fV5KlQ/TzbVdqH4scI/AAAAAAAAVc4/8QYqBRDVxLs/s640/DSC00662.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_GsUlf7vDs/TzbWEKU-7VI/AAAAAAAAVdA/QsR9fRfEzjk/s1600/DSC01181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_GsUlf7vDs/TzbWEKU-7VI/AAAAAAAAVdA/QsR9fRfEzjk/s640/DSC01181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">How ya'll doin'? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V20YPEI3IQo/TzbWhH9LToI/AAAAAAAAVdI/ayuyw8yMu08/s1600/_MG_6330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V20YPEI3IQo/TzbWhH9LToI/AAAAAAAAVdI/ayuyw8yMu08/s640/_MG_6330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmbMa8OlaJY/TzbYUHh7XeI/AAAAAAAAVdU/9ICdFJaz26I/s1600/_MG_7383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmbMa8OlaJY/TzbYUHh7XeI/AAAAAAAAVdU/9ICdFJaz26I/s640/_MG_7383.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ya'll get an "A" for making it to the bottom.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Heart Thought: Love yourself; get outside yourself and take action. Focus on the solution; be at Peace.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Sioux Native American</span></div></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-8612679468121215800?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-39266497444291566852012-02-07T08:32:00.000-08:002012-02-07T08:32:20.898-08:00Apricot Sunset<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today my mind drifts to a warm, lush tropical color.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apricot Sunsets</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Peach Jam</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Tangerine Sorbet</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">and</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Flamingos</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGURcNDeuu0/TzFNp7pGUPI/AAAAAAAAVcE/j6PmqEPuPpw/s1600/Apricot+Sunset+in+Singapore" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="491" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGURcNDeuu0/TzFNp7pGUPI/AAAAAAAAVcE/j6PmqEPuPpw/s640/Apricot+Sunset+in+Singapore" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Textures: Taped Edge and Simplicity</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">provided by <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/texture-tuesday-the-february-free-easy-edition.html">Kim Klassen</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The original photograph </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggOPGcpd8us/TzFOvpNmy9I/AAAAAAAAVcM/mclDGYEE_rU/s1600/_MG_4249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggOPGcpd8us/TzFOvpNmy9I/AAAAAAAAVcM/mclDGYEE_rU/s640/_MG_4249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite part of this composition are the <span style="color: #eeeeee;">apricot colored reflections</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Heart Thought:</span> my grandmother made DELICIOUS peach jam with maraschino cherries and nuts. The textured photo reminds me of the color of her jam. Recipe lost so long ago. Do you ever have regrets of lost snippets of paper you once held dear?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-3926649744429156685?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-36398672247441158882012-02-05T14:55:00.000-08:002012-02-20T20:49:36.731-08:00Postcards from Paradise<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">As I sit at my desk, a gray drizzle falls silent.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Gray.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Neutral.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Without color.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Awakens a need in me for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Life.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Come with me and smell the musky sweetness of plants blooming under a sky of glass.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OIYhX6-piI/Ty8CHQ0fS2I/AAAAAAAAVZ8/ndaotl3Qrgo/s1600/_MG_8671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OIYhX6-piI/Ty8CHQ0fS2I/AAAAAAAAVZ8/ndaotl3Qrgo/s640/_MG_8671.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-19G9_8UiKx4/Ty8CYA4cbqI/AAAAAAAAVaE/ZcAx0OdNEf4/s1600/_MG_8687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-19G9_8UiKx4/Ty8CYA4cbqI/AAAAAAAAVaE/ZcAx0OdNEf4/s640/_MG_8687.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_MLdkViGjg/Ty8Ckftk1-I/AAAAAAAAVaQ/A8fUjgLVTVU/s1600/_MG_8688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_MLdkViGjg/Ty8Ckftk1-I/AAAAAAAAVaQ/A8fUjgLVTVU/s640/_MG_8688.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaxLnGOJIGE/Ty8C9rcppaI/AAAAAAAAVao/108FFk1DS-g/s1600/_MG_8695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaxLnGOJIGE/Ty8C9rcppaI/AAAAAAAAVao/108FFk1DS-g/s640/_MG_8695.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oIk6yvzII4/Ty8DGjfwzJI/AAAAAAAAVaw/zMFfl_F4lqw/s1600/_MG_8698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oIk6yvzII4/Ty8DGjfwzJI/AAAAAAAAVaw/zMFfl_F4lqw/s640/_MG_8698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXZsvmPrzZM/Ty8D2lxsSMI/AAAAAAAAVbU/MMNpb6h_BQg/s1600/_MG_8707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXZsvmPrzZM/Ty8D2lxsSMI/AAAAAAAAVbU/MMNpb6h_BQg/s640/_MG_8707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-foAK26PXemI/Ty8EF7uSUAI/AAAAAAAAVbg/Bv0mZ83YI3E/s1600/_MG_8709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-foAK26PXemI/Ty8EF7uSUAI/AAAAAAAAVbg/Bv0mZ83YI3E/s640/_MG_8709.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJtmNYH-WHI/Ty8FRh9djOI/AAAAAAAAVbo/T6JVzKbVFp0/s1600/_MG_6297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJtmNYH-WHI/Ty8FRh9djOI/AAAAAAAAVbo/T6JVzKbVFp0/s640/_MG_6297.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTPFcalUQ1I/Ty8F_Bwka_I/AAAAAAAAVbw/Fk2Kegmsh3U/s1600/_MG_6304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTPFcalUQ1I/Ty8F_Bwka_I/AAAAAAAAVbw/Fk2Kegmsh3U/s640/_MG_6304.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DYlY0uvUn8/Ty8GAC_7ZzI/AAAAAAAAVb4/07-84Mj4VDM/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DYlY0uvUn8/Ty8GAC_7ZzI/AAAAAAAAVb4/07-84Mj4VDM/s640/IMG_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Dip within the glorious beauty of this blossom left for last.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">If I could I would gift you one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit a wonderful woman, creator, humanitarian,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Rebecca Brooks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">at <a href="http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/2012/02/postcards-from-paradise-colorlicious.html">recuerda mi corazon</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">for more exquisite Postcards from Paradise.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Heart Thought:</b> where is more beauty to be found than from that which is alive? </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-3639867224744115888?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-14744711190313686552012-02-05T06:02:00.000-08:002012-02-05T06:02:23.476-08:00Scavenger Sunday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com/">Ashley Sisk</a> a very talented photographer has a wonderful blog Ramblings and Photos, filled with dreamy photographs, tutorials and fun photography prompts. For a long time my intentions have been to join some of her Scavenger Sunday postings, but today is my first attempt.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I rather started out on the wrong foot, I did the entire photo prompt but for the <b><u>wrong week!</u></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Count that as practice....but it had some cool prompts, oh well.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So let's see if I got it straight this time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ashley asks us to scavenger, hunt, sleuth, snoop, peek around for five different items (subjects) each week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Color Me Green:</u></b> these Asian fruits are about as Green as I could get until St. Patrick's Day! Makes one feel "cool" just standing under all that Green shade! Our winter world surely isn't this color.</span><br /><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMa1N_VoQh8/Ty2lcyBiDgI/AAAAAAAAVY8/qVtV7-XOp8o/s1600/FB+Vintage+Frame+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMa1N_VoQh8/Ty2lcyBiDgI/AAAAAAAAVY8/qVtV7-XOp8o/s640/FB+Vintage+Frame+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Footwear:</u></b> if you looked in my closet you wouldn't find many shoes. I pretty much like being barefoot, stocking foot, or choose between a few pairs of rather worn brown or black shoes.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But I did run across this HUGE pile of RED sandals. They are made of solid wood with plastic toe piece. I will stay barefoot thank you.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6tR-ymBYWo/Ty2lebmVfDI/AAAAAAAAVZE/eWtH83dI5X8/s1600/FB+Vintage+Frame+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6tR-ymBYWo/Ty2lebmVfDI/AAAAAAAAVZE/eWtH83dI5X8/s640/FB+Vintage+Frame+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Hobby:</u></b> I was tempted to post a picture of me shooting with a camera in front of my face, but I hadn't combed my hair. So using a different type of brush....paint brushes....ta da, my hobby and profession .....painter.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caUVzitSlmw/Ty2lggMtm9I/AAAAAAAAVZM/XiW4CpSfNt4/s1600/FB+Vintage+Frame+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caUVzitSlmw/Ty2lggMtm9I/AAAAAAAAVZM/XiW4CpSfNt4/s640/FB+Vintage+Frame+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u><b>Strike a Pose:</b></u> I have used this photograph before, but it is perfect for this scavenger hunt. A grandson, aka Michael Jackson! He and his siblings entertained us for hours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_7BLRbbAYg/Ty2lhe1JuvI/AAAAAAAAVZU/lCxc13ENuIk/s1600/FB+Vintage+Frame+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_7BLRbbAYg/Ty2lhe1JuvI/AAAAAAAAVZU/lCxc13ENuIk/s640/FB+Vintage+Frame+13.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Something Shiny: </u></b>we wandered into a Winterland Wonderland of ice crystals and it was a shimmering, shining world of diamond diadems. Honestly I did not dip this pod into glitter from Michaels.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLt4p7wcIa8/Ty2nmFE34QI/AAAAAAAAVZo/G27IEp29H4E/s1600/FB+weed+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLt4p7wcIa8/Ty2nmFE34QI/AAAAAAAAVZo/G27IEp29H4E/s640/FB+weed+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well the hunt is over. It was loads of fun. Anyone can join up at any time. So click on Ashley's link and go to Scavenger Sunday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My frames were from the wonderful <a href="http://www.florabellacollection.com/index.html">Florabella Collection.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000;">Heart Thought: "Sometimes you just have to take a LEAP and build your WINGS on the way down." DJPettitt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000;"> smiles: sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-1474471119031368655?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-34420451605583656632012-02-04T07:54:00.000-08:002012-02-04T07:54:54.932-08:00Did January Evaporate?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">I just don't understand. How can one, wonderful, almost uneventful (meaning less stress) month just evaporate into winter air?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">Adieu January</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Bonjour February</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4vbNq5uRJ0/Ty1S9s-66kI/AAAAAAAAVY0/yggGfVWAHS0/s1600/kk_7imagetemplate_web_elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4vbNq5uRJ0/Ty1S9s-66kI/AAAAAAAAVY0/yggGfVWAHS0/s640/kk_7imagetemplate_web_elements.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">Today I realized it was the Fourth, the </span><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">FOURTH</span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"> of February. I had to really think, what happened to four days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">********************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">If you would like to know what happened to the last four days, feel free to visit me at my "sister blog" Sharon Furner Fine Art</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/02/skipping-through-first.html">See you here.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-3442045160558365663?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-78368443200314104972012-01-31T05:48:00.000-08:002012-01-31T05:48:56.896-08:00A Simple Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGHMDymf31w/TycFI_Dpo6I/AAAAAAAAVVo/FvFuKn4mu7w/s1600/_MG_7451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGHMDymf31w/TycFI_Dpo6I/AAAAAAAAVVo/FvFuKn4mu7w/s640/_MG_7451.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"The waves echo behind me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Patience--Faith--Openness, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">is what the Sea has to teach.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Simplicity--Solitude--Intermittency."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Gift from the Sea</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Anne Morrow Lindbergh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Texture Tuesdays, Texture: Simplicity</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">KimKlassen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;">Heart Thought: there was a time when I read fully entranced by everything, especially the journals, of Anne Morrow Lindbergh.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;">Although she was my mother's generation, I was completely attached to her through her writings. Have you found that at different stages of life you feel certain books/authors are writing just for your eyes? It is a marvelous feeling to find such a gift. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;"> Simplicity in your Day: Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-7836844320031410497?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-5201185154169043432012-01-29T16:55:00.000-08:002012-01-29T16:55:15.772-08:00When Rocks Melt Hearts<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FMLXJMd5RJg/TyXWEpqPyOI/AAAAAAAAVTU/llVMzCXXZFs/s1600/_MG_9069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FMLXJMd5RJg/TyXWEpqPyOI/AAAAAAAAVTU/llVMzCXXZFs/s640/_MG_9069.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It all started with Stripey Stones</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a beautiful blog <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">be...dream....play...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">A world where Elizabeth Bunsen spins a world of dream like creativity, wrapped around Wabi Sabi words, crowned with gorgeous photography.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06NqKZiH3FU/TyXWS4ZS14I/AAAAAAAAVTc/-AhWdZn7i_w/s1600/_MG_9070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06NqKZiH3FU/TyXWS4ZS14I/AAAAAAAAVTc/-AhWdZn7i_w/s640/_MG_9070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Stripey Rocks, say it softly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Downey gray, diagonal stripes of meringue.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Baby smooth born from one thousand years of shifting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth introduced me to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhbkK6vDia4/TyXW4-iz7iI/AAAAAAAAVT8/bOgrUtgr6OM/s1600/_MG_9078+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhbkK6vDia4/TyXW4-iz7iI/AAAAAAAAVT8/bOgrUtgr6OM/s640/_MG_9078+-+Version+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A very heavy box arrived, festooned with stamps and black willowy silhouettes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Peeking inside like a child seeking Santa Claus through the midnight window;</div><div style="text-align: center;">the interior, as splendid as a dancing yellow ballroom spilled over into my heart.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPrCeihC9L4/TyXXGE7gkTI/AAAAAAAAVUE/MsRVQj8Q8rY/s1600/_MG_9079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPrCeihC9L4/TyXXGE7gkTI/AAAAAAAAVUE/MsRVQj8Q8rY/s640/_MG_9079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Layers, small offerings, eucalyptus stained silk, velvet bags, dried leaves, such delights</div><div style="text-align: center;">bound in sunset peach yarn and cotton string.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How did she know I love vessels tucked into vessels....small, tiny, tinier?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">OX-eb Ox-eb love spilled out, layer by layer of lovelies made by her own hands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgCZjlEQJmE/TyXXeSd22KI/AAAAAAAAVUY/NlthRcZXHu4/s1600/_MG_9081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgCZjlEQJmE/TyXXeSd22KI/AAAAAAAAVUY/NlthRcZXHu4/s640/_MG_9081.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Nature's Skipping Stones, carefully wrapped in time rusted cloth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">be...dream...play</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is more to the story....</div><div style="text-align: center;"> wait and see.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My new treasure will go on to touch other's lives.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHZad0p4TRU/TyXXsMFhUHI/AAAAAAAAVUk/hMhWzas6uLg/s1600/_MG_9082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHZad0p4TRU/TyXXsMFhUHI/AAAAAAAAVUk/hMhWzas6uLg/s640/_MG_9082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you would like a destination where Creativity reigns and EB is the designer visit her at <a href="http://www.elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/">Be..Dream...Play. </a> You will visit for a LONG LONG time. She has some beautiful handmade coptic bound books, encaustic gems and Stripey Stones available for purchase. <br /><br />Elizabeth was recently interviewed by Meri<br />on her new blog, <a href="http://www.finallyme.com/">Finally Me.</a> You will find a glimpse into this marvelously creative and generous woman's life, philosophy and art.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />โขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโขโข</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought it was perfect to share this post on Kat Sloma's, Photo-Heart Connection.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a category="" href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20%20href=" http:="" kateyestudio.com="" photo-heart-connection"="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src=" http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n515/ksloma/Photo-Heart-Connection-Button-150x150.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-520118515416904343?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-26923892154338367632012-01-25T20:43:00.000-08:002012-01-25T20:43:54.466-08:00A Gaelic Prayer for Rebecca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I became acquainted with Rebecca but a short time ago, through her blog, <a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/http://www.corazon.typepad.com/">recuerda mi corazon. </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you don't know this gentle, gifted woman, you will wish her to be your best friend, just as I have.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today Rebecca is in need of our prayers and heaven wishes for a full recovery from surgery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rebecca is Nature, Sky and Water. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May this Gaelic Prayer bring Peace to her Heart.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ISkhl-Y5E/TyDDTKSw89I/AAAAAAAAVQo/33iRv8sVFo4/s1600/_MG_7424+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ISkhl-Y5E/TyDDTKSw89I/AAAAAAAAVQo/33iRv8sVFo4/s640/_MG_7424+-+Version+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of the running Wave to you</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qC0n3mwJUs/TyDDppLEBzI/AAAAAAAAVRM/SW2-_eLSsC4/s1600/_MG_7426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qC0n3mwJUs/TyDDppLEBzI/AAAAAAAAVRM/SW2-_eLSsC4/s640/_MG_7426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of the flowing Air to you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zItdwMM0Gig/TyDCJf-pDmI/AAAAAAAAVQg/zdAMBYmfc2c/s1600/_MG_7428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zItdwMM0Gig/TyDCJf-pDmI/AAAAAAAAVQg/zdAMBYmfc2c/s640/_MG_7428.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of the quiet Earth to You.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5TClm0r5SA/TyDGZFn74SI/AAAAAAAAVRc/LumRuWhaOHw/s1600/_MG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5TClm0r5SA/TyDGZFn74SI/AAAAAAAAVRc/LumRuWhaOHw/s640/_MG_7012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of the shining Stars to You.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1jvduZuKyg/TyDGf-m4S9I/AAAAAAAAVRk/IPvcoUF4PL0/s1600/_MG_7363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1jvduZuKyg/TyDGf-m4S9I/AAAAAAAAVRk/IPvcoUF4PL0/s640/_MG_7363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of the gentle Night to You.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jWsLnMO5SA/TyDGnVBvcBI/AAAAAAAAVRw/BLNuKJ0hh28/s1600/_MG_7436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jWsLnMO5SA/TyDGnVBvcBI/AAAAAAAAVRw/BLNuKJ0hh28/s640/_MG_7436.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;">Moon and Stars pour out their Healing Light on You.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkf8U5eQOys/TyDMcMK6yiI/AAAAAAAAVR4/2lDviCQty8U/s1600/_MG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkf8U5eQOys/TyDMcMK6yiI/AAAAAAAAVR4/2lDviCQty8U/s640/_MG_7024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep Peace of Christ,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EC1s4aTT81g/TyDMjTyTALI/AAAAAAAAVSA/BCyfem4hlvQ/s1600/_MG_7121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EC1s4aTT81g/TyDMjTyTALI/AAAAAAAAVSA/BCyfem4hlvQ/s640/_MG_7121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the Light of the World to You.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blessings to you dear, Rebecca</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Count the stars to know how many send prayers and heaven wishes for your full recovery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-2692389215433836763?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-17710375667212073342012-01-24T05:01:00.000-08:002012-01-24T05:01:16.712-08:00What I Have Always Known<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">May this small offering of prose and photography give you a few moments of quiet and reflection.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7o8u8YdCZNA/Tx4kvuS05TI/AAAAAAAAVOw/_VfhUMhlB5c/s1600/poem+and+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7o8u8YdCZNA/Tx4kvuS05TI/AAAAAAAAVOw/_VfhUMhlB5c/s640/poem+and+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Texture: Sunrise provided by <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday">Kim Klassen</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Heart Thought:</span> as you, like I, have aged, have you found certain profound truths concerning the Joys in your life? What Joys do you carry next to your heart?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Feel free to print this card.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have come to know that the joys in life have nothing to do with age.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They do not change. Sunrise, sunset, family, buds in blooms, hummingbirds darting about,</div><div style="text-align: center;">music, words, art, waves rolling in through all Eternity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a name='more'></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-1771037566721207334?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-70489623098971719012012-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:002012-01-23T07:44:18.484-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span></div><div style="color: seashell; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Chinese New Year</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s400/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">The Year of the Dragon</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNrZnaxtpOk/Txxlkhv9aBI/AAAAAAAAVN8/W3nYGE3n1oA/s1600/Asia%2B2011_1.jpg" style="color: #ffffcc; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yA8mdUnpAM/TxyUjxKFb4I/AAAAAAAAVOE/f_b8CvV_vf8/s1600/_MG_9047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ffffcc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yA8mdUnpAM/TxyUjxKFb4I/AAAAAAAAVOE/f_b8CvV_vf8/s640/_MG_9047.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Those born in the year of the Dragon</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">are considered to be very fortunate.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Their sign is Prosperity and Courage</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: seashell;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2443985378814635094" name="more"></a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: seashell; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: seashell; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzrwGPll-TY/TxyUlD1VUjI/AAAAAAAAVOU/PeIwHWCF5cI/s1600/_MG_9053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ffffcc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzrwGPll-TY/TxyUlD1VUjI/AAAAAAAAVOU/PeIwHWCF5cI/s1600/_MG_9053.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee; font-size: 13px;"><u><br /></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee; font-size: 13px;"><u></u></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"> Grab those chop sticks, order some really yummy Chinese </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;">food....don't forget the Fortune Cookies.....and celebrate</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;">the Year of the Dragon.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;">May we</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"> all have Courage and Prosperity all year long.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;">Heart Thought: do you know which of the 12 Zodiac signs you were born under? I am glad that I am not the Rat...!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="color: seashell; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: seashell; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br /><a name='more'></a></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="clear: both; color: seashell; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; color: seashell; font-size: 13px;"></div><div id="lws_0" style="color: seashell; font-size: 13px;"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"></div></div></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-7048962309897171901?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-70229771479509794742012-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:002012-01-22T08:00:06.668-08:00Window on the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I was a little girl, my <span style="color: #f1c232;">Window on the World </span>consisted of sitting in the loft of our barn or on top of the neighbor's garage roof. From those lofty views, the wire and wood fences were the bookends of the World....</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6xsvKiM8DI/Txhul8BzeJI/AAAAAAAAVLk/3ed-I4Jcnns/s1600/DSC01152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6xsvKiM8DI/Txhul8BzeJI/AAAAAAAAVLk/3ed-I4Jcnns/s640/DSC01152.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">One day my third grade teacher pulled out a blue and brown globe. She spoke about China, it seemed so mysterious, colorful and distant on the <span style="color: #f1c232;">OTHER</span> side of the globe.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYen52yU1A/TxhutpDs5DI/AAAAAAAAVLs/xrQESsVgHPk/s1600/DSC01193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYen52yU1A/TxhutpDs5DI/AAAAAAAAVLs/xrQESsVgHPk/s640/DSC01193.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">"Other"</span> to me meant </span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THROUGH!</span> </span> <span style="font-size: large;">I could imagine no way to get there but to DIG down deep...and thus, I started a <span style="color: #f1c232;">BIG HOLE</span> with a very little red tin shovel. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_dO9G-emuM/TxhuzNbSJ2I/AAAAAAAAVL0/kGuGTnY00ec/s1600/DSC01337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_dO9G-emuM/TxhuzNbSJ2I/AAAAAAAAVL0/kGuGTnY00ec/s640/DSC01337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZr-ykXQlgg/Txhu4JObcUI/AAAAAAAAVL8/ug_yUVVaeto/s1600/DSC01343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZr-ykXQlgg/Txhu4JObcUI/AAAAAAAAVL8/ug_yUVVaeto/s640/DSC01343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Just before entering my teens, my aunts took my sister and me on a</span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">JOURNEY</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">Crammed in a car, with no air conditioning, we crossed the farm lands of Utah, the desert flats of Nevada.....the lush vegetation of California ending at the </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">OCEAN!!!!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5k-6YtWNSwA/TxhvAA4AUgI/AAAAAAAAVME/UmoRBVeqF80/s1600/DSC01376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5k-6YtWNSwA/TxhvAA4AUgI/AAAAAAAAVME/UmoRBVeqF80/s640/DSC01376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Huge, Frightening, Noisy, Cold, Never ending, Infinity, the </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">Pacific Ocean</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Surely this was the true </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">"bookend"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to the World. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kMVJ5Il3ls/TxhvLVqE5dI/AAAAAAAAVMc/STbdfgihCNg/s1600/DSC01891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7kMVJ5Il3ls/TxhvLVqE5dI/AAAAAAAAVMc/STbdfgihCNg/s640/DSC01891.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Slowly years drifted by, the windows of my world became larger, more transparent, more welcoming. </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">I had a choice: walk through, or stay behind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Windows can separate us, divide us, keep others out, make us strangers, alienate.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Or windows can be an open invitation to the other side. </span><br /><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">And yes, one day I did go to China, but I left my little red shovel behind.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #f1c232;">Heart Thought: </span></u> have you ever encountered a window that shut you out? Were you able to "go through to the other side?" </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/">Postcards from Paradise</a></span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-7022977147950979474?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-91464425638379657792012-01-19T09:25:00.000-08:002012-01-19T09:27:17.070-08:00The Innocence of a Child's Hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZRRADGU9vI/TxhLfRuv40I/AAAAAAAAVK4/3634G2Q2erE/s1600/DSC00915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZRRADGU9vI/TxhLfRuv40I/AAAAAAAAVK4/3634G2Q2erE/s640/DSC00915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ten beautiful fingers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">blessed with innocence.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTzFmVY9UzE/TxhLwJwpDVI/AAAAAAAAVLA/Rjkh_ntQHHk/s1600/DSC01112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTzFmVY9UzE/TxhLwJwpDVI/AAAAAAAAVLA/Rjkh_ntQHHk/s640/DSC01112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For each, two eager hands</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ready to explore the world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XDK-mglMKo/TxhMl8DufPI/AAAAAAAAVLI/gRt3gAJvtss/s1600/_MG_6808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XDK-mglMKo/TxhMl8DufPI/AAAAAAAAVLI/gRt3gAJvtss/s400/_MG_6808.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Time will slip on the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">waves of time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBhuaU3fCFk/TxhM3RxnLnI/AAAAAAAAVLQ/pCljxw64Kmo/s1600/_MG_8866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBhuaU3fCFk/TxhM3RxnLnI/AAAAAAAAVLQ/pCljxw64Kmo/s640/_MG_8866.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The sweetness born of </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">curious fingers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObPX6qkBwWI/TxhN1u7X7rI/AAAAAAAAVLY/C2QXNHLRQZw/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObPX6qkBwWI/TxhN1u7X7rI/AAAAAAAAVLY/C2QXNHLRQZw/s640/IMG_2710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where will these perfect, gentle hands</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">be as age beckons them on.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For they are our future.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><u>Heart Thought:</u></span> when last did you feel the delicious warmth of a baby's perfect little fingers, grasping your own?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Share the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">J</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">O</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Y</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">with <a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-bizarro-snowmen.html">Meri's Musings.</a></span><br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-9146442563837965779?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-13204779749239220352012-01-12T12:23:00.000-08:002012-01-12T12:23:27.814-08:00Time for Artistic Pursuits<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Artistic pursuits" suggests something different to each of us. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">For me, it is about trying to find a balance to </span><span style="font-size: large;">do something CREATIVE and </span><span style="font-size: large;">NEW</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">within the normal verisimilitudes of life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">those activities that are REAL and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">aren't easily changed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And we all know what that means.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In January I signed up for a few on-line classes, studied a few more photography books</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and decided to pursue NO single activity, but to give myself </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SPACE and </span><span style="font-size: large;">JOY</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">in a variety of art mediums.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWvHHmalbZQ/Tw89Ylv3_QI/AAAAAAAAVKQ/h1EJskuvEBE/s1600/_MG_7974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWvHHmalbZQ/Tw89Ylv3_QI/AAAAAAAAVKQ/h1EJskuvEBE/s640/_MG_7974.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At Meri's Musings, <a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-little-bits.htmlhttp://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-little-bits.htmlhttp://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-little-bits.htmlhttp://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-little-bits.htmlhttp://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy-little-bits.html">Meri</a> asked for an example of something that brings us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~J~O~Y</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This simple photo represents some of those interests that I find JOY in: painting, photography, photoshop (kind of) and textures. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Heart Thought:</u> Remember that even the smallest steps count.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Take Joy, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-1320477974923922035?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-72081316047700429962012-01-10T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:32:45.584-08:00The Non-Conformist: Texture Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I ventured out for a walk around my neighborhood. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sky was a very gritty gray, homes looked weather beaten like the homes seen on beach fronts, only perky pansies </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">spread a dash of purple and yellow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was rather dismal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While walking, I couldn't help but reminisce about how much</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><u>I miss the summer open-air markets.</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I remembered a really quirky melon I had seen at the open market near our home in the fall. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">"Melon"</span> didn't seem at all intimidated that he was 'different.' Rather he just sat there waiting for someone to pick him up, test for freshness and take him home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL2eCD9x0JM/TwyaHclB7_I/AAAAAAAAVKA/5sJQvgCXGLI/s1600/Non+Conformist+Raw+RW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL2eCD9x0JM/TwyaHclB7_I/AAAAAAAAVKA/5sJQvgCXGLI/s640/Non+Conformist+Raw+RW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Very attractive in a rustic sort of way, he seemed perfect to do a little Texture Magic on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SByQkEo5h8/TwyZ_U9cuvI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/uI72fSe6X-Y/s1600/Non+Conformist+Raw+RW+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5SByQkEo5h8/TwyZ_U9cuvI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/uI72fSe6X-Y/s640/Non+Conformist+Raw+RW+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now <span style="color: #660000;">"Melon"</span> will be sent across the internet to the far reaches of the globe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See it pays to stand out in a crowd!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's textures compliments of <a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/texture-tuesday-the-embrace-edition.htmlhttp://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/texture-tuesday-the-embrace-edition.htmlhttp://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/texture-tuesday-the-embrace-edition.html">Kim Klassen</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wonderful Magic (2), Market, and Bent Edges</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Heart Thought: </span>Thank you Open Air Markets, wherever you are...you are the best!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smiles: Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-7208131604770042996?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-40486475940209970942012-01-08T09:08:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:29:40.601-08:00Postcards from Paradise<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Offerings</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZAiKynH_JA/TwnFEbdPAMI/AAAAAAAAVIU/xEFuXS0kv1o/s1600/DSC00608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZAiKynH_JA/TwnFEbdPAMI/AAAAAAAAVIU/xEFuXS0kv1o/s640/DSC00608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt716WWvrYo/TwnFFVyvcXI/AAAAAAAAVIk/CLBwRL77BOg/s1600/DSC00664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt716WWvrYo/TwnFFVyvcXI/AAAAAAAAVIk/CLBwRL77BOg/s640/DSC00664.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Offering...to give what comes from deep inside one's own soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No coins are exchanged.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gift of an Offering is selfless.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JM7Co7iJ4Yg/TwnFE95lQvI/AAAAAAAAVIc/NM321Ioqpig/s1600/DSC00632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JM7Co7iJ4Yg/TwnFE95lQvI/AAAAAAAAVIc/NM321Ioqpig/s640/DSC00632.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Women, mothers, grandmothers daily share Offerings </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">of refreshment and sustenance to all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG6PzRaNYUQ/TwnFGOFzrDI/AAAAAAAAVIs/44TiQS-ChNw/s1600/DSC00860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG6PzRaNYUQ/TwnFGOFzrDI/AAAAAAAAVIs/44TiQS-ChNw/s640/DSC00860.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some carry their Offerings lightly,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for others there is great toil and labor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-LkqBjMrB0/TwnNcraMqbI/AAAAAAAAVJk/AQ1mD4b4soA/s1600/+mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-LkqBjMrB0/TwnNcraMqbI/AAAAAAAAVJk/AQ1mD4b4soA/s640/+mother.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Through generations, Offerings of teaching, training, </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-inftsX5RuDM/TwnNdPWk1rI/AAAAAAAAVJs/vf7pIH9E1nU/s1600/DSC00936+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-inftsX5RuDM/TwnNdPWk1rI/AAAAAAAAVJs/vf7pIH9E1nU/s640/DSC00936+child.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and nurturing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87qSEA2u_ig/TwnLFpMqtzI/AAAAAAAAVJU/wqgaisPsArA/s1600/DSC00870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87qSEA2u_ig/TwnLFpMqtzI/AAAAAAAAVJU/wqgaisPsArA/s640/DSC00870.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She will pass on all that is offered to her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hand to hand</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heart to heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Generation to generation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf_4PeW5WuM/TwnFG0R_AJI/AAAAAAAAVI0/KWxlQRCmMqw/s1600/DSC00894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yf_4PeW5WuM/TwnFG0R_AJI/AAAAAAAAVI0/KWxlQRCmMqw/s640/DSC00894.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Offerings, a communal table .</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7TqABXesFE/TwnFHXhoVUI/AAAAAAAAVI8/nxParVxK5aI/s1600/DSC00908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7TqABXesFE/TwnFHXhoVUI/AAAAAAAAVI8/nxParVxK5aI/s640/DSC00908.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sanctification.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9qcWhiPVZo/TwnFOsowxVI/AAAAAAAAVJE/fvnwdpkdcAU/s1600/DSC01070+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9qcWhiPVZo/TwnFOsowxVI/AAAAAAAAVJE/fvnwdpkdcAU/s640/DSC01070+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-AlZGS18mc/TwnFO9yHucI/AAAAAAAAVJM/OfGSUOsdxB4/s1600/ocean+soltary+person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-AlZGS18mc/TwnFO9yHucI/AAAAAAAAVJM/OfGSUOsdxB4/s640/ocean+soltary+person.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Mother Earth, the Genesis of all</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Offerings.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">*********************</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please take a moment and visit </span><a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Rebecca Brooks</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> at her oasis of serenity and beauty, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.corazon.typepad.com/">recuerda mi corazon</a>,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">to experience her Offering of an open heart, prose and poetry liken to Mary Oliver, photographer and artist. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Once a week she offers Postcards from Paradise where one finds extraordinary beauty in the ordinary. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">warmly, sharon</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-4048647594020997094?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-40416223187100672542012-01-05T06:36:00.000-08:002012-01-05T06:43:54.833-08:00JOY JOY JOY<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Putting together a string of 25 photos</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in a previous blog was like a trip down memory lane.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We can look at a photo taken 10 years ago and it immediately brings us back: where, when, how we felt when we clicked the shutter button!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is like electricity, the returning memories just flow bright and vivid.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Photographs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> are powerful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today I was wandering through <a href="http://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy.htmlhttp://meriak.blogspot.com/2012/01/share-joy.html">Meri's Musings</a> blog and she was asking what brought us <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">JOY! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was tempting to post my previous 25 photos!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">smile</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Too easy, didn't seem right.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What does bring me </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some things can not be photographed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some things are too private to be shared.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But here are a few Joys.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgnjYO9KNM0/TwWuPz0KgVI/AAAAAAAAVFo/NFbWotX2K_Y/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgnjYO9KNM0/TwWuPz0KgVI/AAAAAAAAVFo/NFbWotX2K_Y/s640/IMG_8139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in sharing art experiences with grandchildren, youth, those with special needs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbgVsk3T7KU/TwWub62ekJI/AAAAAAAAVF0/7NJQfulumOM/s1600/_MG_8149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbgVsk3T7KU/TwWub62ekJI/AAAAAAAAVF0/7NJQfulumOM/s640/_MG_8149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of Grandchildren and New Babies:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> seeing the love they have for one another.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5QtbTe2n-Y/TwWwVRWgXoI/AAAAAAAAVGA/Uhj62lyoeDU/s1600/_MG_7131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5QtbTe2n-Y/TwWwVRWgXoI/AAAAAAAAVGA/Uhj62lyoeDU/s640/_MG_7131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXyFTUpeiKE/TwWwbjF0sxI/AAAAAAAAVGI/Te69E3BgGvQ/s1600/_MG_7363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXyFTUpeiKE/TwWwbjF0sxI/AAAAAAAAVGI/Te69E3BgGvQ/s640/_MG_7363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in the endless formations of clouds and water..the poetry of reflections, movement, dancing, day-dreaming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTs0sLcmVmM/TwWyENE0IlI/AAAAAAAAVGY/9L_YeKQfezc/s1600/DSC00631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTs0sLcmVmM/TwWyENE0IlI/AAAAAAAAVGY/9L_YeKQfezc/s640/DSC00631.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbeAt_yUVbI/TwWyE5MxR2I/AAAAAAAAVGg/sZ2UaaOjXm4/s1600/DSC00786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbeAt_yUVbI/TwWyE5MxR2I/AAAAAAAAVGg/sZ2UaaOjXm4/s640/DSC00786.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga_NCZ6sCl4/TwWyF4sp2zI/AAAAAAAAVGo/4kPK6htWdmY/s1600/DSC00814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga_NCZ6sCl4/TwWyF4sp2zI/AAAAAAAAVGo/4kPK6htWdmY/s640/DSC00814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xnUJkmgtM8/TwWyGqXUq2I/AAAAAAAAVGw/XzXnMSKBkXo/s1600/DSC00841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xnUJkmgtM8/TwWyGqXUq2I/AAAAAAAAVGw/XzXnMSKBkXo/s640/DSC00841.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDj62ZiG0nc/TwWyHj1f-pI/AAAAAAAAVG4/R9aBP_hYv1w/s1600/DSC00851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDj62ZiG0nc/TwWyHj1f-pI/AAAAAAAAVG4/R9aBP_hYv1w/s640/DSC00851.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in learning from other cultures: their family traditions, religion, food, way of living life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzYrc6DoCg/TwWzG-wIswI/AAAAAAAAVHE/SipgjZw9_5I/s1600/Colored+Pencils+Alber+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzYrc6DoCg/TwWzG-wIswI/AAAAAAAAVHE/SipgjZw9_5I/s640/Colored+Pencils+Alber+2.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNc3hZC5_SQ/TwWzOTrFUFI/AAAAAAAAVHM/P5hJmpEF-xE/s1600/Gouache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNc3hZC5_SQ/TwWzOTrFUFI/AAAAAAAAVHM/P5hJmpEF-xE/s640/Gouache.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in self-expression: painting, photography, writing, blogs. So blessed to have the means to do all of this.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you Meri, for the opportunity to share a few of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Joys</span> in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Heart Thought: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> do you think that different stages in our lives brings different <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">JOYS?</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-4041622318710067254?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-84135917197090106212012-01-03T11:58:00.000-08:002012-01-04T05:22:54.117-08:00MEMORIES.DREAMS.REFLECTIONS.2011<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.ashleysisk.com/2012/01/memories-dreams-and-reflections-2011.html"><img border="0" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6287143470_11f24a49b4_m.jpg" /></a></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The very talented photographer, Ashley Sisk provided the place to share</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">our 25 Memories.Dreams.Reflections in 2011. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for the prompts!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Me__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF2XqomwWX4/TwNc-eMvGdI/AAAAAAAAU-4/2ugzOMD6RE4/s1600/_MG_3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GF2XqomwWX4/TwNc-eMvGdI/AAAAAAAAU-4/2ugzOMD6RE4/s640/_MG_3195.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My hair is standing on edge for fear of falling into the swiftly moving river in India.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have forgotten the name of the Guide who saved my neck!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">___I Love You___</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sScL55xhkdc/TwNdi_peNgI/AAAAAAAAU_M/cldNXWXVscI/s1600/_MG_3522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sScL55xhkdc/TwNdi_peNgI/AAAAAAAAU_M/cldNXWXVscI/s640/_MG_3522.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My husband safe on dry land. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Still Laughing__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKc-HBRqGFg/TwNjksgBk1I/AAAAAAAAU_c/XkhLhT2LhFc/s1600/_MG_8900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKc-HBRqGFg/TwNjksgBk1I/AAAAAAAAU_c/XkhLhT2LhFc/s640/_MG_8900.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There were some pretty big secrets scooting about,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and the one with the "shhhh" sign, has the hardest time keeping them.....love that girl, secrets or not.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Winter Wonderland__</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuIhtmO-0aQ/TwNkuncYkGI/AAAAAAAAU_o/raujVkzdDdM/s1600/_MG_7573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuIhtmO-0aQ/TwNkuncYkGI/AAAAAAAAU_o/raujVkzdDdM/s640/_MG_7573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Frozen rain, creating a myriad of crystals.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Birthday__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYx4h_pJMbE/TwNm4AoO1CI/AAAAAAAAVAI/y3x3jRB0QWs/s1600/_MG_7513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYx4h_pJMbE/TwNm4AoO1CI/AAAAAAAAVAI/y3x3jRB0QWs/s640/_MG_7513.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is just too good to be true!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Friends__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jou0KW-_Tvk/TwNnmWWF0LI/AAAAAAAAVAU/exM_dXYYDP8/s1600/_MG_2817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jou0KW-_Tvk/TwNnmWWF0LI/AAAAAAAAVAU/exM_dXYYDP8/s640/_MG_2817.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One can feel the friendship between these children and teacher in rural India.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__I Was Inspired__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np5OJI5QSUA/TwNo1sA6BEI/AAAAAAAAVAk/VM37jjhZGoA/s1600/_MG_6934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Np5OJI5QSUA/TwNo1sA6BEI/AAAAAAAAVAk/VM37jjhZGoA/s640/_MG_6934.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A young child full of potential, the world waiting for what she will share.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Spring Fever__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1din4Z8ONQ/TwNp6WYm8BI/AAAAAAAAVAw/r_-MEdfnvCw/s1600/DSC01025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1din4Z8ONQ/TwNp6WYm8BI/AAAAAAAAVAw/r_-MEdfnvCw/s640/DSC01025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sweet offerings for spring's returning birds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Tavel__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e66YzaxTBqg/TwNqqM4kQ8I/AAAAAAAAVA8/vbvfc-atu8Y/s1600/_MG_4283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e66YzaxTBqg/TwNqqM4kQ8I/AAAAAAAAVA8/vbvfc-atu8Y/s640/_MG_4283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To travel by land, sea or air....always an adventure.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Summer Days__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHGAYYmy7KA/TwNraBS2W0I/AAAAAAAAVBI/2tFGMSaE8mE/s1600/_MG_4639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHGAYYmy7KA/TwNraBS2W0I/AAAAAAAAVBI/2tFGMSaE8mE/s640/_MG_4639.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will take barefoot, thank you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__A Day in My Life__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkK52kC2WGg/TwNr8Q086rI/AAAAAAAAVBY/Wtcn9npn7C4/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JkK52kC2WGg/TwNr8Q086rI/AAAAAAAAVBY/Wtcn9npn7C4/s640/IMG_8138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sharing art with our Funny Bunnies. (grandchildren)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__All Smiles__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-540lDXWeCBw/TwNttpC-bzI/AAAAAAAAVBk/sQamhNVjqwE/s1600/_MG_8874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-540lDXWeCBw/TwNttpC-bzI/AAAAAAAAVBk/sQamhNVjqwE/s640/_MG_8874.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our attempt at decorating gingerbread. This Funny Bunny</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">had more on him than the GB.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Autumn Harvest__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1aTSEynilU/TwNu7yODvlI/AAAAAAAAVBw/qp87bgUfpko/s1600/_MG_7333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1aTSEynilU/TwNu7yODvlI/AAAAAAAAVBw/qp87bgUfpko/s640/_MG_7333.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Family__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP7G3gO0pnE/TwNwo3MpWoI/AAAAAAAAVCY/th1Pyi6Qt80/s1600/_MG_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pP7G3gO0pnE/TwNwo3MpWoI/AAAAAAAAVCY/th1Pyi6Qt80/s640/_MG_6613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A sweet part of our family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Celebrate_</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ces5LORZi5g/TwNx8qd1vdI/AAAAAAAAVCw/jxGqIkcGdOQ/s1600/_MG_8104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ces5LORZi5g/TwNx8qd1vdI/AAAAAAAAVCw/jxGqIkcGdOQ/s640/_MG_8104.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A new baby coming home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Let's Do It Again__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvMivmWb3IQ/TwNymyxEmiI/AAAAAAAAVC8/xMBNULGDMKM/s1600/_MG_4538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvMivmWb3IQ/TwNymyxEmiI/AAAAAAAAVC8/xMBNULGDMKM/s640/_MG_4538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chinese New Year, Singapore. The Year of the Hare!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__I Miss You__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jiwEWXmCUo/TwNzgDZMLlI/AAAAAAAAVDM/k0pBzW2dmzk/s1600/IMG_8140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jiwEWXmCUo/TwNzgDZMLlI/AAAAAAAAVDM/k0pBzW2dmzk/s640/IMG_8140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Beautiful__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQK77AH-e7Y/TwNz-lcflLI/AAAAAAAAVDY/ayTLnor_YV4/s1600/_MG_8469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQK77AH-e7Y/TwNz-lcflLI/AAAAAAAAVDY/ayTLnor_YV4/s640/_MG_8469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Dress Up__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZeEII7mO-c/TwN0P_Y5hVI/AAAAAAAAVDk/mwIFcw2-LTk/s1600/_MG_8857+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZeEII7mO-c/TwN0P_Y5hVI/AAAAAAAAVDk/mwIFcw2-LTk/s640/_MG_8857+-+Version+2.jpg" width="606" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Macro__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRiJPOf3YUY/TwN0zRVmsrI/AAAAAAAAVD0/ntTGp3rlKeo/s1600/_MG_8690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRiJPOf3YUY/TwN0zRVmsrI/AAAAAAAAVD0/ntTGp3rlKeo/s640/_MG_8690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Holidays__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcHjMSVnAXw/TwN1j4XHr8I/AAAAAAAAVEA/saa0OCPFAi8/s1600/_MG_8651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcHjMSVnAXw/TwN1j4XHr8I/AAAAAAAAVEA/saa0OCPFAi8/s640/_MG_8651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Favorite Memory__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPi3i_L3xR0/TwN2Mq2NctI/AAAAAAAAVEQ/vbj_DCxWiyk/s1600/_MG_2783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPi3i_L3xR0/TwN2Mq2NctI/AAAAAAAAVEQ/vbj_DCxWiyk/s640/_MG_2783.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beautiful women harvesting tea leaves</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in India. Dignity, despite the backbreaking work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Never Change__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04pCnRtNZoA/TwN24SSiFAI/AAAAAAAAVEc/gfgonStB2Tg/s1600/_MG_3124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04pCnRtNZoA/TwN24SSiFAI/AAAAAAAAVEc/gfgonStB2Tg/s640/_MG_3124.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Friendships that last a life time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Just Because__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZEmCGM99jM/TwN3dT4ouPI/AAAAAAAAVEs/Ns_iLz2QaTc/s1600/DSC00983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZEmCGM99jM/TwN3dT4ouPI/AAAAAAAAVEs/Ns_iLz2QaTc/s640/DSC00983.JPG" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">__Hopes and Dreams__</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and the End!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iC3xye8e7Vw/TwN4EbyTS4I/AAAAAAAAVE4/uFM5n_kqHP8/s1600/_MG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iC3xye8e7Vw/TwN4EbyTS4I/AAAAAAAAVE4/uFM5n_kqHP8/s640/_MG_7424.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MAY WE SEE THE SILVER LINING IN ALL THAT WE DO.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-8413591719709010621?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-89408392333105931852012-01-02T10:48:00.000-08:002012-01-03T05:05:27.347-08:00Texture Tuesday has Returned<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If there was one <span style="color: #990000;">WORD</span> that might be in the minds of people worldwide, I think it could be <span style="color: #990000;">PEACE</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So many yearn for </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">inner peace, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">peace within</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> family and communities,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">our nation,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and the countries of the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIAPNT854Nw/TwH0aFLTb5I/AAAAAAAAU-M/nkVo_YC3tzU/s1600/kimklassenwettile+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIAPNT854Nw/TwH0aFLTb5I/AAAAAAAAU-M/nkVo_YC3tzU/s640/kimklassenwettile+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To do our part moving towards a goal of <span style="color: #990000;">World Peace</span>, we might begin with <span style="color: #990000;">Kindness.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Kindness</span> in thought</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">action</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">interpersonal relationships</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">communication</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">serving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">every day living.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">HEART THOUGHT</span>: a gentle neighbor, who belongs to a church different from ours, knew that our congregation was sponsoring weekend meals for children who leave school on Friday returning to their homes where there is no food through out the weekend. Knocking on the door, he smiled, chatted, then handed me a substantial grocery store <span style="color: #990000;">gift card</span>, to purchase food for these unfortunate children. A beautiful act of unsolicited <span style="color: #990000;">Kindness</span> that will help so many children.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today I used <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe">Kim Klassen's</a></span> textures: Loretta and KK Scratches.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was fun to work with this medium again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Check out Kim's website for all the new offerings from her talented hands, camera and computer. Wishing her well as she starts new endeavors.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Smiles: Sharon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-8940839233310593185?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-86155671871996220322012-01-01T16:11:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:05:08.983-08:00On the Other Side<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="position: relative; width: 820px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSbGcp4pI8U/TwD3Bg079OI/AAAAAAAAU8c/Efgf4KEb5-s/s1600/_MG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSbGcp4pI8U/TwD3Bg079OI/AAAAAAAAU8c/Efgf4KEb5-s/s640/_MG_4539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 36px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s200/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="161" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences? I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words linked like pearls.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another N</span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">ew Year!</span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdoUCWhH0C4/TwD_z0xTrkI/AAAAAAAAU84/QhGKDCljL0s/s1600/DCP_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MdoUCWhH0C4/TwD_z0xTrkI/AAAAAAAAU84/QhGKDCljL0s/s640/DCP_0384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bcWI5qR4ZQ/TwEAX1vDJ0I/AAAAAAAAU9E/UMyuwJLTmQo/s1600/_MG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bcWI5qR4ZQ/TwEAX1vDJ0I/AAAAAAAAU9E/UMyuwJLTmQo/s640/_MG_2128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium; line-height: 36px; text-align: center;"> Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kTjhszhFvk/TwEA1Z00qrI/AAAAAAAAU9Y/nHMvXkXeQcY/s1600/_MG_2563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kTjhszhFvk/TwEA1Z00qrI/AAAAAAAAU9Y/nHMvXkXeQcY/s640/_MG_2563.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 36px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.4;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="background-color: #888822; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px; text-align: center;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="background-color: #888822; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">So Long, Farewell</a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-9219157454700265347" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 820px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well that was a short night! Did you stay up</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see the sun rise?</span></a></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, here we are on the other side of 2011...easy-peasy wasn't it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought of a zillion things to welcome you into 2012, and still haven't quite narrowed it down....but here goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For starters a thought provoking quote that seems to be written just for me</span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Real life. </u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>But there was always some obstacle in the way,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>something to be gotten through first,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>some unfinished business,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>time still to be served,</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>a debt to be paid.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Then life would begin.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>At last it dawned on me that</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>these obstacles were my life.</u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Alfred D'Souza</u></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That rather sums up 2011 for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are familiar with the author Patti Digh, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is my favorite of her many books.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukxL5707qvM/TwCK3AhqS6I/AAAAAAAAU7s/Onmpgx-l-Ok/s320/img091.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such an explosive title, one full of ever so many meanings and metaphors. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Truly: Life is a Verb</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember back in grade school underlining nouns and circling verbs in endless sentences?I liked the circles best as they indicated action, movement, forwardness, direction....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love to read blogs the first weeks of January, as there is an astounding number of writers who choose ONE WORD for their mantra for the year. A word that is personal and speaks just to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have also done this. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long and hard I thought about this "chosen word" to carry around with me for the year. Just too many choices, it was starting to nag at me and take the fun out of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I was thumbing thru Patti's book, and eureka I knew my word (S).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This year I am choosing a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">sentence</span><span style="font-size: medium;">... a string of words like pearls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Life is a Verb</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">....thank you Patti </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can't imagine, at this point, just where this sentence will take me, but it will be an adventure with many new ideas, opportunities, friendships, creative endeavors, family experiences....a 'wellspring' of forward moving action.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Together let's all March Forward into Another New Year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s1600/img087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faBhHVFJPSM/TwCQsqzqYOI/AAAAAAAAU74/_4C_vQS1Nv4/s640/img087.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Doesn't matter if you go left or right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Guhz5K-mRBc/TwCQ4dJyizI/AAAAAAAAU8E/w0jvowQy3UY/s640/img090.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Just remember that Life truly is a Verb!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJlL-2wyU1s/TwCRKth4rKI/AAAAAAAAU8Q/fvo9aMYEfiA/s640/img088.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(102, 0, 0); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">May our paths cross often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="jump-link"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-other-side-of-2011.html#more" style="color: #ddbb99; text-decoration: none;" title="On the Other Side of 2011">Read more ยป</a><br /><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"><div class="linkwithin_text" id="linkwithin_text_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 20px;">You might also like:</div><div class="linkwithin_posts" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/65297379.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Where I am Going?</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-i-am-going.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><br /><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523855.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Year of the Tiger...grrrrrr</a></div></div><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-of-tigergrrrrrr.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-long-farewell.html" name="linkwithin_link_0" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #ddbb99; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 165px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 106px;"><div class="linkwithin_img_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; width: auto;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://images.linkwithin.com/images/41523848.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 100px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100px;"></div></div><div class="linkwithin_title linkwithin_title_0" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: seashell; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">So Long, Farewell</div><div><br /></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-8615567187199622032?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-26753418008031949082011-12-31T10:43:00.000-08:002011-12-31T11:00:30.115-08:00JINGLE BELLS BIRTHDAY<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is indeed a mixed bag to have a December birthday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My kids wanted to celebrate in a GRANDE MANNER!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Not quite my style.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rather we had a Jingle Bells Birthday Party!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So much fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qM5DyKlS47E/Tv9WoU3DZ2I/AAAAAAAAU6A/aM02k6yDq30/s1600/Gingerbread+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qM5DyKlS47E/Tv9WoU3DZ2I/AAAAAAAAU6A/aM02k6yDq30/s640/Gingerbread+House.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the very last minute we bought the last commercial Gingerbread Haus Kit</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">at World Market. Yes, it rattled a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hmmmm shouldn't be surprised that every piece was broken!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay we would have fun decorating the cracked pieces; it is the frosting and candy that is the most fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Putting gingerbread slabs in box tops</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">kept them from flying around and corralled the bits of candy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Funny Bunnies took this VERY SERIOUSLY!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHQoRaN20AE/Tv9XtvPUxOI/AAAAAAAAU6M/EUyoovukPUk/s1600/Ginbgerbread+House+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHQoRaN20AE/Tv9XtvPUxOI/AAAAAAAAU6M/EUyoovukPUk/s640/Ginbgerbread+House+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Meanwhile at the other end of the table, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the men were decorating my chosen birthday cake </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angel Food !</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Looks pretty cool doesn't it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank's Hunter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The party continued, we played kid's Bingo....everyone wins at kid's Bingo.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pizza dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Prizes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The most fun of all</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">an outdoor bonfire to makes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">yummy s'mores!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Forgot TWO things, to keep taking photos,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and to eat the Angel Cake!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope your next birthday is as fun as mine was!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-2675341800803194908?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-3390325990768310172011-12-24T07:48:00.000-08:002011-12-24T07:48:11.484-08:00What More Can I Share?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXePV8-1VC0/TvXxb5-mozI/AAAAAAAAU40/eCLHes3MuGQ/s1600/_MG_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXePV8-1VC0/TvXxb5-mozI/AAAAAAAAU40/eCLHes3MuGQ/s640/_MG_2242.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pnqts-1Fok/TvXxrp_PTWI/AAAAAAAAU48/1_09lL2TlzY/s1600/_MG_2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pnqts-1Fok/TvXxrp_PTWI/AAAAAAAAU48/1_09lL2TlzY/s640/_MG_2254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Like layers of ribbons, we all carry </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i><u><b>Silent Prayers in our Hearts.</b></u></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May your celebrations of </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hanukkah and Christmas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">be deep and meaningful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What more can I share?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You are welcome to click on this link</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and read of my own </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/12/silent-prayers.html">Silent Prayers.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Warmly and with love, Sharon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-339032599076831017?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-2948348497349817902011-12-22T20:44:00.000-08:002011-12-22T21:27:03.003-08:00A Moment of Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After the frenzy of too many</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">candy colored decorations, blazingly lit Christmas trees, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">snappy sales slogans,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">and the bustle and push of shoppers with glazed eyes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">it was time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was time to leave the glitzy side of <a href="http://sharonfurner.blogspot.com/2011/12/silent-stroll-through-wonderland.html">Asheville</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and seek out the balance and sense of proportion that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">nature openly gives each of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the sun slipped low in the gray-cast sky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we discovered the fallow grounds of</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the Biltmore Estate greenhouse and gardens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here was the hush of quiet, the fresh fragrance of earth and flowers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">....... welcomed refreshment for the soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVb0Tef_7nU/TvQKmV27pnI/AAAAAAAAUxs/AUiF_wzEMKo/s1600/_MG_8656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVb0Tef_7nU/TvQKmV27pnI/AAAAAAAAUxs/AUiF_wzEMKo/s640/_MG_8656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qz3KZHDnen8/TvQK7HUHUZI/AAAAAAAAUx0/Q8G9L_3xT8M/s1600/_MG_8664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qz3KZHDnen8/TvQK7HUHUZI/AAAAAAAAUx0/Q8G9L_3xT8M/s640/_MG_8664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebe8eBzCOe0/TvQLFvTfHgI/AAAAAAAAUyA/xKOsloigJ-Y/s1600/_MG_8671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebe8eBzCOe0/TvQLFvTfHgI/AAAAAAAAUyA/xKOsloigJ-Y/s640/_MG_8671.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G6A_fU8urE/TvQLSxl5lxI/AAAAAAAAUyI/XKdWBUtUDxw/s1600/_MG_8679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G6A_fU8urE/TvQLSxl5lxI/AAAAAAAAUyI/XKdWBUtUDxw/s640/_MG_8679.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSfAXaBGQyw/TvQLy7IlEdI/AAAAAAAAUyc/aCpQ1UVoaag/s1600/_MG_8685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSfAXaBGQyw/TvQLy7IlEdI/AAAAAAAAUyc/aCpQ1UVoaag/s640/_MG_8685.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJh1aG9Jsf8/TvQMYaJPg3I/AAAAAAAAUyo/l-iaDedwAFY/s1600/_MG_8690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJh1aG9Jsf8/TvQMYaJPg3I/AAAAAAAAUyo/l-iaDedwAFY/s640/_MG_8690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mho4CCLN-bE/TvQMmRBY2-I/AAAAAAAAUyw/IlIWEj6hRYA/s1600/_MG_8697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mho4CCLN-bE/TvQMmRBY2-I/AAAAAAAAUyw/IlIWEj6hRYA/s640/_MG_8697.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJGzRyg0O4g/TvQMvcGCdGI/AAAAAAAAUy8/PGx_mwS0bUM/s1600/_MG_8698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJGzRyg0O4g/TvQMvcGCdGI/AAAAAAAAUy8/PGx_mwS0bUM/s640/_MG_8698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJkQlkZoPHg/TvQM7U5KT_I/AAAAAAAAUzE/4fKJwC4kmTk/s1600/_MG_8706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJkQlkZoPHg/TvQM7U5KT_I/AAAAAAAAUzE/4fKJwC4kmTk/s640/_MG_8706.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9Ihfcc0Xvk/TvQNKSOC5FI/AAAAAAAAUzM/Jb65YmZGIOM/s1600/_MG_8709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9Ihfcc0Xvk/TvQNKSOC5FI/AAAAAAAAUzM/Jb65YmZGIOM/s640/_MG_8709.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnaecdTfuQM/TvQNXI0LKfI/AAAAAAAAUzc/qFbAxWw3KwY/s1600/_MG_8724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnaecdTfuQM/TvQNXI0LKfI/AAAAAAAAUzc/qFbAxWw3KwY/s640/_MG_8724.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">May there be the gift of reflection and refreshment in</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">your life this day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Warmly, Sharon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-294834849734981790?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-43322821938904208882011-12-10T18:23:00.001-08:002011-12-10T19:14:11.332-08:00Photographing Babies....YIKES<div style="text-align: center;">Funny Bunny Three-Three just turned ONE month old!</div><div style="text-align: center;">My daughter and I thought we would take some of those </div><div style="text-align: center;">dreamy, sweet, soft skinned photos that are so popular.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In complete honesty, anyone who does baby or child photography has my full admiration!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">****************************</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gathered props galore: blankets, basket, jewelry, head bands, fluffy pink tutu, red velvet dress, jingle bell cap.....we were prepared!</div><div style="text-align: center;">HA HA HA</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, FB3-3 needed to be fed followed by diaper change. Then her skin went blotchy with only a pink tutu and daisy headband on. This blanket bundled baby was going into hypothermia shock!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dress swamped her, fluffy collar covered half her face and the jingle hat covered the rest. Shoes popped off like ricocheting</div><div style="text-align: center;"> pop corn.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pink tutu made marks on her skin, goose bumps continued to spread.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there was the sweet, calm face but wiggling feet. Still hands with a half opened eye....you get the idea I am sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing held still at the same time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We won't even go into actually taking the photos, the light would shift, a bulb burned out from my lighting, we tried the floor, couch, basket, table and my daughter's long arms to get a good perspective.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Something, including big brother was always in the way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wzVP_pLKMg/TuQZZyOfRYI/AAAAAAAAUqs/s_kt4RX75eI/s1600/_MG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wzVP_pLKMg/TuQZZyOfRYI/AAAAAAAAUqs/s_kt4RX75eI/s640/_MG_8379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Test Shot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewDVbiZOdMU/TuQYf8N6fgI/AAAAAAAAUqA/oKnqWNBqY5c/s1600/_MG_8506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewDVbiZOdMU/TuQYf8N6fgI/AAAAAAAAUqA/oKnqWNBqY5c/s640/_MG_8506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom I am freezing, I want my blanket!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLKcKdcfrPY/TuQYnD_shwI/AAAAAAAAUqQ/tOQ1ITkRYNU/s1600/_MG_8541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLKcKdcfrPY/TuQYnD_shwI/AAAAAAAAUqQ/tOQ1ITkRYNU/s640/_MG_8541.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am smothering in all of these clothes. But at least I am warm and holding STILL!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbNaiWyJZTI/TuQYcMh3GuI/AAAAAAAAUp4/pBROYMlTc2g/s1600/_MG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbNaiWyJZTI/TuQYcMh3GuI/AAAAAAAAUp4/pBROYMlTc2g/s640/_MG_8437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If I had known you were going to take a photo of my feet, I would have gone for a pedicure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xwua0F8gq7M/TuQYjZKZ7pI/AAAAAAAAUqI/hjw0ZfwwP0s/s1600/_MG_8508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xwua0F8gq7M/TuQYjZKZ7pI/AAAAAAAAUqI/hjw0ZfwwP0s/s640/_MG_8508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay I will hold still, but i will not smile!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey what is that over by the big green tree?</div><div style="text-align: center;">An Angel Elf?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well there is a good ending despite the beginning and the middle.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We managed to get a dozen or so rather nice photos.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe she will end up on People magazine and her parents will get paid thousands of dollars?</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is sweet enough!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome to our world, Little Funny Bunny Three_Three!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*****************************</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heart Thought: a newborn baby is the best of all presents!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2443985378814635094-4332282193890420888?l=sharonfurnerphotographyandprose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>smiles, Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04174598026192853841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443985378814635094.post-75503110423835390752011-12-05T05:52:00.001-08:002011-12-05T06:46:19.436-08:00Mortar and What?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we were visiting Indonesia, it became very apparent </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that chefs/every-day cooks used a mortar and pestle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thus started my intrigue with this heavy stone vessel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since the beginning of time, starting with the cave-people, mostly women, have used a stone vessel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to grind their berries, seeds, tubers, corn, spices into edible quality.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are few things as ancient as a mortar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*******************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can locate mortars online and in speciality stores. They do give an "air" of "serious" cook when placed on the kitchen counter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beware: never let "looks" fool you!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlGVBPXMnoM/TtzOMeOZmMI/AAAAAAAAUoM/SGni6eXY-Qw/s1600/_MG_5564+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlGVBPXMnoM/TtzOMeOZmMI/AAAAAAAAUoM/SGni6eXY-Qw/s640/_MG_5564+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Does this give the appearance of a "serious" cook?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvaAZTAtfDI/TtzOSzxWYNI/AAAAAAAAUoU/GWB7P1iW8Xo/s1600/_MG_5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvaAZTAtfDI/TtzOSzxWYNI/AAAAAAAAUoU/GWB7P1iW8Xo/s640/_MG_5567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now what I didn't know before I carried this big "baby" out of the store was the work it would take to "season" it! Season I thought that was for cast iron skillets?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fill mortar with REAL RICE and start grinding every which way. Up and down, all around, over and over again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Repeat. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRHKJVzTY_I/TtzOZpmlGoI/AAAAAAAAUoc/0ehtv48Rw_o/s1600/_MG_5573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRHKJVzTY_I/TtzOZpmlGoI/AAAAAAAAUoc/0ehtv48Rw_o/s640/_MG_5573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had a little helper because this was "BIG MAN" work.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hours came and went.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many hands ground the rock hard rice kernels.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhJZrE3YIow/TtzOhMSu6pI/AAAAAAAAUoo/mfoXxAxelFY/s1600/_MG_5574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhJZrE3YIow/TtzOhMSu6pI/AAAAAAAAUoo/mfoXxAxelFY/s640/_MG_5574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Are you sure we aren't finished? Smells pretty good to me!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtgoGERY0Y/TtzOrDtSyXI/AAAAAAAAUow/9VgkE1LqHtg/s1600/_MG_5577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtgoGERY0Y/TtzOrDtSyXI/AAAAAAAAUow/9VgkE1LqHtg/s640/_MG_5577.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally a fine, deeply ground rice powder. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If it is grayish, guess what, you do it AGAIN!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was definitely grayish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now my helpers disappeared altogether.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So working a bit each day the rice powder became more light and white.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbxJHzjkyKY/TtzOzkx_ifI/AAAAAAAAUo4/BkBDAMuazto/s1600/_MG_5606+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbxJHzjkyKY/TtzOzkx_ifI/AAAAAAAAUo4/BkBDAMuazto/s640/_MG_5606+-+Copy.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Silly me, I reread the directions and WHAT ANOTHER STEP?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is true. Now flavorful spices have to be worked into the rough, stony surface.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbtFpaIkBUk/TtzO5-4HCHI/AAAAAAAAUpA/Qgx0cF_79sY/s1600/_MG_5614+-+Copy+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbtFpaIkBUk/TtzO5-4HCHI/AAAAAAAAUpA/Qgx0cF_79sY/s640/_MG_5614+-+Copy+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This was easy peasy after the salt episodes!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD__0efmgwo/TtzPBuc02VI/AAAAAAAAUpI/Ulx_SWSjmsk/s1600/_MG_5616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><