360:365

I have been procrastinating writing this post... because I'm sorta at a loss as to what to say.

I am humbled... and thankful; as today is my "anniversary" of sorts... having written this blog, every day... for 2 full years now. I hope you are enjoying it.... THANK YOU so much for reading.

When I first started writing this blog... I really didn't expect it to last. I figured... that I would run out of things to say... or just sound like an idiot... and it would fade into the sunset. Over time... it carried me thru alot. My kids graduating... my son getting married... gaining a grandchild... starting and running a gallery.... leaving the gallery... starting an Etsy store... more or less "coming into my own" as an artist... focusing on my photography... getting published!... winning awards... having shows... traveling...traveling some more... and traveling even more... my parents being sickly... my father getting cancer... and passing away... It's all been so much. Thru it all... has been my wonderful hubby (BAJ), my awesome kids and fur faced kiddos... my faith... my friends... my photography... and this blog (and all the wonderful people I have "met" on-line here).

The blog too... has evolved. Featuring some original Haiku... "Sneak Peaks" into local art shows/ venues/ galleries... my 365 Photo A Day Project... and tabs and links to other places you can see my stuff...

And so... as we enter a 3rd year... I am taking suggestions from you... the readers.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or have featured?

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

139:365

(photo by Elaine A. Russell)

Honey... I love you... and I miss you more than words can say.

You are my heart. You fill my soul... you saturate me with your love and understanding until every open wound... every empty space is filled with your sunshine. You make me a better person... and because of you I can go forth into this big bright world and be myself... feeling safe, loved, and able to come home to a safe haven. I could not wish for a better partner to share this life with.

20 years ago today... I married the best man on this earth.

Be safe and be happy my dearest...

and rest in the knowledge of our love until I can be with you again.

127:365

...the phone started ringing at 9am. I am not a morning person... thank goodness my mom is.

We ran lots of errands today... and actually got quite a bit accomplished. Then we spent the afternoon visiting with my dad... who; according to my mom.... was the most alert he has been since I left 2 1/2 weeks ago. Not that he wasn't confused... or easily distracted... and fading in and out of conversations... BUT... he wasn't sleeping, and he even drank some fluids while we were there.

We left and had supper, and then we brought my brother and his son back with us to visit this evening. My nephew and his fiance also came... so it was sort of a small reunion of sorts.

My father was very affectionate with my mom today... lingering with his hugs... kissing. It was so good to see. I am so glad that he and my mother had such a good day when they celebrated their wedding anniversary a few weeks back ( it was their 58th anniversary).

Tomorrow, the son of a friend of mine is getting married. I am not sure if I will be able to go... but I was thinking of them today... and how it is a glorious time of year to get married. I wish them all the best.

And in a few weeks, I will be celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary with the best guy on the planet... and I love you honey

♥ ♥ ♥

photos by Elaine A. Russell

(from top to bottom: a mock cherry tree in afternoon light, wild white trillium flowers, and flowering pink dogwood)

time, time, time...........

photo by Elaine A. Russell


Where has the time gone? Exactly one year ago today, I started this blog. I have posted every single day since. Wow. 365 posts. And pics on every one!!!

When I first started this blog, my goal was to get some of my photography out there in cyber space so that people could see it... and hopefully enjoy it.
The response has been fabulous. Beyond my expectations for this humble little site. At one point; I was getting over 800 hits a day....I have since stopped looking. I figured I would either get discouraged by the drop-off, or anxious as to how to keep hits up.

It has been a very interesting year. One full of enlightenment, fulfillment, joys and wonders.
I hope that you will stay with me over the course of this next year... who knows what will happen?
OR where this journey will take us.

In celebration of my blog anniversary... I am going to be giving away 9 gifts to 9 lucky winners. ( in honor of this year 2009). All you have to do... to be entered in the "running"... is to send me a note at moongipsies@msn.com.
Let me know what you like/ don't like about my blog... things I could do to make it better, etc
Oh! and let me know if you have a preference on any particular gift you may get :)
Prizes may include: a handmade scarf, an OOAK art piece, a fine art photograph, a handmade piece of jewelry, a stash of supplies for crafts.... who knows....

(winners will be notified on January 9th. Submissions for the give-aways...must be in by January 9th at 9am).