Desert Laura

It's time for resolutions, right?  Not for me.  For me, I make resolutions every day, week, month, of the year.  I make my lists of what needs to be done, what I'd like to do better or differently.  Instead, I look at what I want to accomplish this year that I didn't do last year, what I'd like to continue doing, or what needs changing.  This happens throughout the year...through constant reflection and insight. I cannot help but be grateful for this last year; it gave me so many wonderful things.  The most significant being a wonderful partner who I'm lucky to share my life with.  Not to mention that I learned how to raise chickens, and how to cook amazing vegan food. I baked more bread than I could eat; I started crafting more than just scarves; I learned that I'm not always right; I learned how to let go of someone I love dearly and let her die with grace and peace.  I learned how to put balance back in my life, when to say no...and...

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.   Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousa...