The last day of December, driving home from our week in Vermont – a million things running through my mind as I prepared to return to our weekday routine. I was wondering to myself how the month had passed by so quickly, what 2018 might bring.
December always feels like two separate stories, to me. The frenzied, busy time leading up to the holidays – Christmas shopping and preparation, work deadlines, travel plans, family celebrations… And then, the second story – the quiet week after Christmas. While I love the family get-togethers, it is the second story that I anticipate the most. A time for lots of reading (I finished one book), exploring outdoors (not so much), cooking and/or baking (nope), watching movies (does Moana count?) – a time to rest, relax, and reflect (yes, yes, and yes).
It was bitter cold in Vermont, and I was content to act like a bear and hibernate. I created new pages for my journal, contemplated new photography projects, and considered goals I should set for myself for 2018. Is there a deadline for that?
So – driving back home on that last day of December – unhurried, we followed the back roads. Lost in my own thoughts, I spied the dilapidated barn with broken windows on this harsh winter day. My final photo of 2017 – at a glance, desolate and bleak, but I also see strength, perseverance, grace…
Too tired and too much happening, Greg and I didn’t celebrate the new year as we normally do. Our year began on a sad note with the illness and passing of my father-in-law. We will miss him, dearly. I look forward to 2018, though – the changes, the challenges, the celebrations that a year normally brings – greeting it with strength, perseverance, grace, and eventually, joy.
I am joining Sarah and León for one last Scene and Story – thank you for hosting over the past year!
11 responses to “Scene & Story – December 2017”
Beautiful! Words and photograph! I hear a change in you, keep following it. I am so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law, peace to your family. You got a lot done and you made the most of inside time, I am doing the same. We are hopeful to warm some this week, and I will be out the door as soon as it does.
Hello Karen, So sorry for the loss of your FIL. Sending my prayers for you and your family. I love the barn, the weathered wood is beautiful. I am looking forward to some warm weather, I have cabin fever and I need to get outside. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and new week!
So very sorry for your loss. I love your new site, and have changed the link on my page so I can find you again. Happy Sunday!
loosing our parents, it is that time in our lives. i am so sorry for your loss. my mom is 83 and healthier than i.
i love your picture and your thoughts, much like my own. you tell a great story and i am so happy you are blogging again!!
Karen, I’m so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. That’s a sad start to a new year, and I hope things look up from here forward. I love your new blog – simple, clean, beautiful. I’m subscribing by email so I won’t miss any posts. I also love that exquisite old barn! I wonder how many winters it has stood there in the snow, and how many more it can withstand. Thank you for posting faithfully to Scene & Story throughout the past year. It’s been such a pleasure to get to know you!
Oh Karen, I’m so sorry for the passing of your father-in-law. I do hope that 2018 will much improve for you after that.
The photo is beautiful, very atmospheric and I do feel a chill… Like you, I love the week after Christmas – in German we call this time “zwischen den Jahren” (between the years) which describes this period perfectly I think. I had to laugh out loud when I read “Moana” – that’s exactly what we watched as well (and isn’t it a sweet movie?).
I wish you a good 2018 – with lots of laughter and joy, creativity, good health and many opportunities to relax, write and take pictures.
How delightful to find this barn as you drove through the snow! I’m sure it’s seen it’s fair share of cold weather. I understand the need for the quiet week after Christmas. We’ve had frigid cold weather here, but no snow. I’ve spend a quiet week inside, relaxing and reflecting. I am sorry about your father-in-law. I will remember your family in my prayers. Wishing you a wonderful 2018! BTW, love your new website!
I am so sorry for the passing of your father-in-law, Karen. Indeed a sad and very difficult beginning of the year.
I wish you only the most wonderful things from here on.
I absolutely LOVE this photograph. Definitely one of my favorite things to photograph.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Love your photo and what you saw in it. Sorry to about the loss of your father in law.
Karen, so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. Sending good thoughts your way…
I love your image, I can see the strength and perseverance too. This is my first visit to your new blog home, it is beautiful!
The old barn shows a certain strength and resilience, Karen, and has obviously withstood the test of time. Hopefully we can do the same. My condolences on your family loss. These are always sad and harder at the holidays. We attended a funeral service out of state right after Christmas.