So if the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb 2, it means there will be 6 more weeks of winter.  Somewhere.  If I see my shadow, it means the sun is out.  That makes me happy even though Punxatawney Phil saw his shadow and forecasts more winter doldrums.  However, the “Inner Circle” predetermines what P.Phil will see and evidently, Woodstock Willie, another groundhog, didn’t see his shadow.  Who will you believe?

To successfully network, it’s imperative to have a business card with current information!  I had a local office printing company (which will remain unnamed due to… well… let’s leave it at that.  I desire to remain positive!) print up some new business cards today.  Super exciting! I’m even more excited to have better ones made!

Not long ago, I received a ballot in the mail that had a deadline of 1/31/12 and I stuck it in the drawer without thinking much about it.  Yesterday, I was reminded by a coworker that we had an election to vote for a representative.  Considering the wars that have been fought in this country, the lives lost, the voices screamed to allow women to vote, and in considering that in other countries, people literally dodge bullets turning in their ballots (remember the images of Iraqi women with purple ink staining their fingertips, indicating they voted), I have to vote.  Even if you think your voice can’t be heard through a single ballot, enough people have stood up, cried out, and fought for you to have the right to vote.

There is a time when it’s okay with me that the sky is crying.  For example, Sunday afternoon, when I can curl up in a blanket on the couch with my cat on my lap.

Sometimes it takes hearing inspiration to feel it, so after listening to delightful banjo music last night at the Josh White/Josh Garrels concert, I dusted off my own round instrument and determined to relearn where I left off years ago.  However, the banjo is really a backup instrument, so I need a band!

I sit here for awhile with my fingers over the keyboard, thinking of ways to describe the experience depicted in the following photo.  When one feels beauty deep down within the soul, it is difficult to even want to put words to it.  Thank you, Josh Garrels and friends, for a lovely evening of music!

When one considers the clouds and how they mute the radiance of the sunlight, a moment of glorious peace envelops when the rays issue through the winter-tarnished windowpanes.