A New Beginning

Hello again! Long time, no posts. Perhaps it is time for a new beginning?

Actually, it just so happens that the word I chose for this new year is "new", and along with that comes the idea of fresh, new beginnings. So now that I am home, now that I have easier access to the Internet (thanks to my youngest son) and also since I would very much like to post some old to me, new to you memories in photos before I add a couple of years more of even newer photo memories, here I am. Oh yeah, speaking of my word for this year, it actually came from my key/theme verse for 2019--you'll find that at the end of the blog post today. It speaks to this idea of newness and so far has been a real blessing to me since the year began. I hope it will bless you as well. 

It’s been so many months since I last posted, and even longer since the events posted actually occurred. And these 2 1/2 years in time have been filled with a multitude of emotions and experiences--way too many to try and catchup with in just one post, and some photos are simply not organized to the point where they're even ready to post--or edit. That is what happens when you are as crazy as I am about recording memories :)

So where to start? I've thought about this quite a bit and just don't have the energy or time right now to go back to where I left you--in Utah, in the autumn of 2016 (the real date for the pictures from the last post). So, instead of continuing our first journey to the South, I am going to post a few favorite pictures I've taken and then, at another date, continue -- in some way -- with that journey.  At least with access to the Internet being easier now (it wasn't then) I might actually get us to the South before we're back there in real life --LOL :)

To start off, I think I'll post by season, and since we just happen to be in winter, I'll start there. Now to be honest, winter is not my favorite season of the year, but it does have its own special beauty...especially at two of my favorite places--the coast and the wetlands. These are a few of my favorite photos from winter 2016-2019--some are not as sharp as I would have liked, but all hold a special place in my heart and in my mind. 

Early morning at Cape Kiwanda

Viewpoint overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Netarts Spit + Netarts Bay

Sandlake Estuary (the new state park is on the left/south side of the photo)

Barview Jetty. Love the winter waves :)

View from Erratic Rock (the actual rock would be behind me in this photo)

Winter camping entertainment. 

Another early morning beach view. 

A new day has started here. 

A new beginning for me, 

a new beginning for you too. 

I wish you a day of peace, joy and love. 

I leave you with my Bible verse for this year. 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

II Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Peace, 

Aimee

As the Blank Pages of a Journal Are

Aimee sat with the new journal in her lap, its pages blank and not filled in yet with the record that would be. It was dawn and as she watched, the light from the sun came over the mountains and dispelled the darkness that was the night -- the nightime that had stood between the old but which had also given birth to the new. The first day of the New Year had begun.

Trees stood bare in the countryside, surrounded by tall bushes and taller yet rock formations and mountains. They awaited the coming of their leaves which would herald in the springtime--but that would not be for several months more--for the season of snow, rain and cold still held court in the lands of the NW.

Aimee looked down again at the book which lay in her lap--there were pages to write in this new chapter of her life, before she placed this book too on the shelf with the others of times gone by--the journals of her childhood and youth; many of motherhood and more recently those of being a grandmother.

So as a new day and New Year began, Aimee picked up her pen and started to write...

******************

A New Year, like a new journal, has a beautiful cover. You can't see it's length--nor the stories in it--and yet it is full of promise for this journal will hold stories of the priceless gift that is your life.

As you open it and turn to that first page, you can turn the page on things of the past too--of hurts, fears and mistakes made. They belong to your past and you will always remember them, but this is a new chapter in your story and you can use these painful times and memories to learn from --- and go on.

Make this year the best yet--strive to fill each page with beautiful stories of love, joy and peace. Stories that will be remembered by others who are just starting their own books or have just a few chapters completed. And remember, this journal will be your legacy. so make it a good one!

Happy New Year from the mountainside.
Blessings, Aimee


Photo: Columbia River Gorge area