I've been meaning to say this...

Okay, it's time to wrap up a few loose ends. 

First of all, I need to express my gratitude to many of you (make that all of you) who take the time to stop by, and check in with the insanity that can be my life. The reasons I began this blog, and the reasons that I continue it are different. 

I began this blog on a whim. I wasn't sure exactly what kind of beast it was, and for a long time it was a semi occasional hobby. I put up a few pictures, and wrote a few things that no one read. 

Then along come this idea called Photostory Friday -- a weekly opportunity to share my love of the still image, and to write about it -- hosted by Cecily and Mamageek. I don't want to sound hyperbolic here, but Photostory Friday changed me. It changed the way I look at life. In the ever more challenging effort to write something worthwhile, I think more deeply about the experiences of my life. It has made me increasingly aware, and increasingly grateful for the wonderful life that I live. I have a chance, not only to put words to my thoughts, and to share images that I find, personally, beautiful, but, primarily because of the Photostory posts -- at least at first --  I have had the chance to share them with so many new people, and consequently to find so many others who feel blessed in the same manner, and who write such heartfelt posts of their own. 

We live in a world that is so often full of anger and hatred, but to see so many people who see their lives as a blessing, gives me hope. To see people who find joy in the details, is refreshing. 

So, a thank you to Cecily and Mamageek, for this great idea, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. 

Another thank you to those of you  -- J the Grockle (and Arizona refugee), at imbeingheldhostage...Kat, at fritterfarmers...mamarazzi...and avtcoach -- who have said such kind things about me, and this little blog, in recent days. It pleases me to no end, when I know that something I have written, has touched someone in a positive way. I enjoy, tremendously, each of your blogs -- along with many, many others, too numerous to mention here. I look forward, daily, to reading the great things that so many of you have to say. Thank you for you unique perspective on the world -- it is a richer place for each of you.

Well, I didn't really mean for this to sound like an award acceptance speech, but I just wanted to take the chance to say thank you.