Book 'Em!

January at the Pines is finally acting like....well...January in Ohio! We have some snow on the ground and a bite in the air. The temps have been seasonal, in the 20's and lower. Our woodstove is humming along and keeping it cozy.  The sun was out today and I find that even if  "Baby It's Cold Outside" is playing in your head, it's still a mood lifter to have that vitamin D.  When I got home from work this afternoon I was happy to see my new blog book arrived.

My last year life in print and photos.  It's the 10th book I have.  This is my 12th year of blogging but my first book contained 2 years of blogging.  I'm more chatty now and can fit one year in a book with no problem!  I enjoy thumbing through it and comparing the months and seeing if I actually did anything great last year.  Nothing earth shattering but good nevertheless.  It's a journal, a diary, a connection with family and friends and my blog friends that I've never met personally but feel like I've known forever.  Many times I've talked about blogging with others and most people say the same thing: "I don't have anything to write about" or "I don't have time for that" or "I wouldn't know how to start something like that".  Since I've been blogging I've noticed that I ask more questions of people about their lives...past or present...and then realize, even if they don't, that they do indeed have something to write about. Everyone has a story, or a life worth remembering.  I know I'm preaching to the choir here since most folks that read my blog are actually bloggers!  So what do we write about?  Here's an example:  Saturday night talent show.  Our church had it's annual talent show and potluck.  I was surprised at the talent that was shared.   It was shared by adults, teens, millennials, and even toddlers.  Of course I have the photos to prove it!

Everyone brings something to share.  You never know what's on the menu but as most church socials go, the homemade food is delicious.   The following acts were pretty good too!

Family acts with tiny comedians

Clarinet players.

Classical pianists...notice there's no music, it's all from memory and was fabulous.

Magic acts that relied on science.

Guitar player who can also sing and make us smile.

Ukulele players and Mom's with littles who sing and dance. There were  many more but some of my  pics just didn't come out very good.  But a big applause to the poetry readers, sign language singer, trombone player that just started playing and his selection was "Hot Cross Buns" played as only a 10yr old can do it!  Oh, and the 3 year old who did somersaults..backwards no less! Something for everyone I guess!  All blog worthy material.  Finally, as I was looking through the pages I noticed a post from last year with Arnie playing in the snow:

I noticed something strange.  His coloring has changed so much in the last year:

Same dog? Yep....maybe a few pounds heavier too! (shhhh...he's sensitive about it) Gone is the brown hair.  Oh well, we love you Arnie no matter your coloring.  So that's what blogging is about to me.  My simple pleasures on paper to enjoy, share, and remember year to year.  Have a blog worthy day tomorrow and don't forget to write about it!