OK – so I know I am getting a little obnoxious with the pictures of lawn ornamentation, but seriously, I can’t even believe it. Do people just go to the store and buy every “Christmas” balloon on the shelf?

Quote of the day: “When I speak of home, I speak of the place where – in default of a better – those I love are gathered together; and if that place were a gypsy’s tent, or a barn, I should call it by the same good name notwithstanding. ” Charles Dickens

Have a Merry Christmas this season, in whatever home that may be!

I have been reading a book called “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, not by my own inclination, but because I am reading it for a book club. In the book, he talks about the “ministry of holding your tongue” and refers to scripture in James. Now, I know that it might be ironic that I am talking about the idea of holding your tongue in my BLOG, but it made me think of the fact that it is very hard for me to do this, and even harder to speak positively of people sometimes (and I am not talking about “Wow, those jeans make your butt look really good – where can I find them?”) – true admiration of a character trait someone possesses.

Here – let’s practice. One thing I admire about my friend Shelley B is that she narry has a negative thing to say about anybody, no matter how juicy it may be. She simply chooses to focus on other things – a very good thing to be around. What is something you admire about someone you know?

I found this You Tube video kind of interesting – about a woman who takes artistic photos of herself in dressing rooms wearing designer clothes. A little edgy – but different: