Went for a walk. Standing on a bridge over the creek I saw the waterfall down the way.
Noticed the beautiful bare tree branches reflected in the creek’s still water near the bridge on which I stood.
So calm. So pretty.
Continued walking. Found the waterfall where the water was flowing over it.
Enjoyed watching as the clear water moved forward, not so gracefully tumbling over the falls.
Loudly. With enthusiasm and purpose.
Found myself reflecting on perspective and change. On always moving forward, appreciating peacefulness, but never allowing oneself to become stagnant.
Decided that the message was for me to let last year’s concerns float away, never forgotten or marginalized, but utilized as starting points so that next year’s plans can coalesce.
And on that bit of self-awareness, I shall wander off into the real world where busy people and half-finished projects are waiting for me.
To do that which I do.
And as for The Spectacled Bean, well– don’t expect me back here until mid-January when winter is in full swing. I’ve decided to go on a brief blogging hiatus, if the fates allow.
Happy Christmas & Merry New Year, everyone.
See ‘ya in 2018.
May you gracefully tumble, loudly and with enthusiasm and purpose.
Merry Christmas, Ally!
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Thanks, Maggie. Such a nice thing to say! May you do the same. Merry Christmas right back at you. 😊
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Maggie – you always seem to come up with the perfect words! ❤️ I can think of no adequate response after this one!
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I agree, Joanne. Maggie has a way with words that makes me smile and think.
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I knew from the title that this was going to be the annual Christmas hiatus post. Have a nice break, and I’ll try not to post anything too poignant or thought provoking in your absence (That is a huge lie, of course)….
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evilsquirrel13, you know me too well. I rather like taking a blogging break right about now when people are scattered hither & yon, and all I want to do is snooze, courtesy of long dark nights. Best of luck trying not to be poignant! We all need goals. 😀
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Best to you Ally Bean, as this year closes and we open the door to 2018! Enjoy your break 🙂 Oh… and thank you for sharing the glorious picture of the reflected trees. That’s one I could hang on my wall and stare at endlessly.
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Deb, the best to you, too. May your 2018 be wonderful. And I’m glad that you like the reflected tree photo, for once I captured the beauty of what I saw just as it was. No filters, no fussing around in photoshop!
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Love your reflections on life along with your beautiful photos. May Christmas be good to you this year and looking forward to your thoughts for next year.
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Thanks, Beth. Hoping for the best this Christmastime, but looking forward to getting on with normal life. Have a happy holiday season.
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“let last year’s concerns float away, never forgotten or marginalized, but utilized as starting points so that next year’s plans can coalesce.”—Yes, perfectly said. Have a wonderful holiday break!
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Carrie, have a good holiday season, too. May we all find a bit of peace and a sense of purpose next year. Plans. coalescing. here. now. 😉
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Enjoy the break Ally. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
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Lynn, wishing you a joyful holiday season, too. I’ll be enjoying my time away from here– not that I don’t love blogging, but breaks are good to. 🙂
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A beautiful reflection Ally. Wishing you sparkly holidays and a wonderful time away. May it be radically joyful, deeply inspiring, and fabulously nurturing.
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Deborah, such a lovely wish! May I send the same one right back to you? Happy Holidays, to you and yours.
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What a lovely photo. Have a restful and renewing break.
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Thanks, nance. I need some renewal right now if I’m to make it through our winter! ‘Ya know? Happy Holidays to you.
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Merry Christmas! Enjoy your blogging break. 😁
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Quirky Girl, I plan on enjoying and not doing and perhaps eating/drinking a bit too much! 😉 Merry Christmas to you, too.
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Merry Christmas and happy new year! See ya on the flip side.
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Tara, looking forward to the flip side, but plan on enjoying this holiday season first. Merry & Happy to you, too.
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Enjoy the break and all the best for 2018 🙂
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Thanks, Norm. The same to you, too. Looking forward to more doors in 2018. 🙂
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I have a water color very similar to your first photo. Very peaceful and relaxing. It’s about 30 years old and it still soothes me. Have a great break.
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Kate, no kidding? A watercolor, huh? That’s fascinating to me. I agree that the scene was relaxing, which is why I snapped it, I guess. Anyhoo, I promise to enjoy my break if you promise to still be here when I get back. 😉
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I’ll be here waiting with a Starbucks by my side!
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Excellent! 🙂
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Beautiful photos and beautiful sentiments. Enjoy your holidays and hiatus. See you in 2018.
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Zazzy, thanks. Time to relax and re-group and do many other “re” things. Have a happy holiday season, too. Seize ‘ya later. 🙂
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Have a great rest from the blogosphere, Ally. Will miss you of course but look forward to reading some gems next year. I’m getting ready to make my vision cards for next year to get my thoughts in order as it were. Love the picture of the waterfall. I can just hear it. Thanks for sharing all you do and have a marvelous Christmas with your loved ones!
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Janet, I need a rest from blogging– and from many other things. I admire your ability to put together a vision board– that kind of visual reminder can be such a positive force. I thought the waterfall was cool, too. I had no idea what it’d look like, but when I got there it was perfect. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
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Merry Christmas! Enjoy your hiatus.
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Thanks, Akilah. I plan to do just that! Happy & Merry to you, too.
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Enjoy your blog break! I hope it is refreshing, and full of good times. I will miss you!
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Margaret, I’ll miss you, also– but I need some downtime and this seems like the best time of year to become a temporary hermit. Catch up with you later.
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PS. I just happened to click on your Bona Fide Blog Roll and was surprised and honored to see my blog listed there. What a generous person you are! Again, most happy holidays to you!
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Well, of course you’re listed there. You’re a loyal and true blogger who does this for fun and connection. My kind of girl!
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Happy Christmas Ally Bean to you and your man and all others in your sphere! It’s been great going along for the ride with you this year! Your photos are beautiful!
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Susan, I’m so glad that we made each other’s acquaintance. Blogging has opened my heart by allowing me to connect with people all over the world. It’s darned amazing– and I am grateful. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
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A couple of hours before reading this, I was thinking of my end of year reflections. Now the image of your little river is stuck in my mind. I have no river to walk by near my house but I might take the hounds to the beach and have a good think there while they pretend to splash in the water. Have a wonderful holiday season and see you back in January. Really glad to have virtually met you!
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camparigirl, there’s something about being near water that slows down my swirling thoughts, and allows me to just be in the moment. Beaches do just as well as creeks when it comes to reflection. I’ll enjoy reading whatever it is that you find yourself thinking after your walk with the hounds. Ditto about meeting each other. Happy to know you.
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Rest and restore! We’ll see you when you return.
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KDLH, will do. It’ll be nice to exist, doing things, but not too many things! Thanks for stopping by to encourage me as I go off to do nothing in particular.
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Oh, I will miss you!! Enjoy your retreat!!
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wakingup, thanks! I’ll be back soon enough. 😉
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Happy new year!!
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And the same to you! 🥂
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❤️
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Enjoy your well deserved time off and see you on the flip side.
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Thanks, Allie P. Have a great Christmas and New Year. I know I plan to do so. 🎄+ 🥂= 😀
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May your Christmas be Merry & Bright . . . overflowing with Love, Laughter, and Light!
Enjoy your blogging break!
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nancy, that’s a lovely sentiment. Thank you. And you, too, enjoy your holiday season. See you next year.
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I will miss your posts, but I’m always glad to see people take breaks. That’s rather selfish, you see. I don’t feel the need for a break yet, but when I do, I’ll remember the fantastic bloggists who could walk away from this addiction. I hope you have a marvelous time and come back, eager to interact with your followers. Merry Christmas!
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Anne, you’re too sweet. I like writing my blog, but I also know when I’m overwhelmed and tired. This time of year with the dark nights and the Christmas events wears me down; I’m an introvert. So instead of trying to write something and becoming frustrated, I often duck out of the blogosphere in December or thereabout. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. See you later, alligator. 😉
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Enjoy your well deserved blogging break, Ally. I will (try to) wait patiently for your return!
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Donna, I plan on coming back, but know that I’ll enjoy not focusing on writing for a little while. Have a fun holiday season… without me. 😉
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Lovely picture, lovely thoughts. Enjoy your down time.
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J, thank you. May you and yours enjoy this holiday season as well.
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Merry Christmas, Ally. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and a re-energizing blogging break 🙂
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Joanne, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too. I plan on doing my best to enjoy all that the season holds for me. Then, come January, I’ll do nothing for few weeks. 😉
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Lovely post, gorgeous imagery. I will miss your words, but I will appreciate time dedicated to the care and keeping of Ally Bean 🙂
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Thanks, joey. I’ll get back here, but first some rest…
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Merry Christmas and Happy 2018! I hope you enjoy your break.
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Thanks, Katie. So far, so good. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too.
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I’m late to this post because I’m traveling and spending time with friends and relatives. But I wanted to chime in and say have a great and restful blogging break… but be sure to come back. I always look forward to reading your posts. Best wishes for a tremendous 2018!
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Janis, thanks for taking the time to stop by to comment. I appreciate that. I hope that your Christmas Day was merry, and that you, too, have a tremendous 2018. After the horror of 2017 we all deserve a better year! 🥂
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I love your reflections. I have not had a moment to stop and reflect, which, now that I read your post, makes me realize I better hop to it if there’s any hope for me to start 2018 with a bang!
Happy New Year!
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Kate, I often don’t reflect on one year until it’s well into the next one, so this post was unusual. Not like me to be ahead of the curve! Happy 2018 to you and yours.
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A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too, Ally Bean!
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Colleen, always wonderful to hear from you. Happy 2018 to you, too. Time flies, eh?
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