Merry Christmas!

I am truly blessed. I love to paint, and am thrilled when the images I create inspire and bring joy to those who see them. I'm fortunate that lots of folks also purchase those images, too, and I certainly appreciate my customers.

I also love people, and have created a customer service business that allows me to remain in contact with great numbers of people, and to work at home most of the time.

Yesterday was one of our first actual wintery days here in the Valley of the Sun. The news was full of the traffic congestion and accidents, due to the fact that no one here can drive in the rain. I shut the news off and turned on a great satellite music station, playing everyone from Dean Martin and Elvis to Bon Jovi and Madonna singing great Christmas songs. The rain on the roof provided music of its own while I alternated between my office and studio.

While working at my computer, my darling smiling cheerful wet border collie, Miss Ellie, came bursting through her dog door, ran into my office and jumped on to my lap, quite proud of her wet coat and muddy paws. She makes me laugh. She also knows she'll get a rub-down with a big fuzzy towel when it rains and she gets wet. We went through the routine 3 times yesterday...rain, wet dog, big fuzzy towel, rain, wet dog, big fuzzy towel, etc. Who has whom trained???

While drying her off, I reminded her of all the things we have to be grateful for, and how blessed we are this Christmas season. I know she understands, after all, she is a Border Collie. I thanked God for her, our health, my dad, my family, friends, my cozy little house with a roof that doesn't leak, my truck that runs when I need it to, neighbors who bring me cornbread and stew on a cold night, my yoga classes, my artistic talent, the opportunity to earn a living and be proud of what I do. Little things, perhaps, compared to what others may think important. These are a few of my favorite things, as the song goes, and I thank God every day for them.

Merry Christmas to all. Slow down a bit, remember what the Christmas season is all about. Smile. Drop some money in the bucket at Wal Mart. Take a nap. Make some cookies, celebrate!