Other than a day and year noted on the calendar, today is like every other day. But we do attach some significance to this first day of a new year. Today is often used as a starting point, a beginning day, an opportunity for resolutions. I'm thinking I just want to pause more often and look and appreciate and wonder and enjoy. I want to keep that resolution.

Actually, I do have some plans regarding my weight and exercise. I hope to learn more about processing my photos through Lightroom and Perfect Effects to the point that I have joined a learning group online. I want to travel some. I want to read more. I have so enjoyed reading some wonderful books this year. I want to love my family and my friends, and intentionally visit with them in person or through written communication. I want to reflect on life and faith. It's going to be fun.

It's been a great year! Well, as I reflect on the past twelve months, I can honestly say there was more good than bad. Yes, then, it has been a great year. So I'm looking forward to the blessings of 2015!

We learn at a fairly young age that games have rules. And rules are meant to be kept. And sometimes we need independent, neutral judges to enforce the rules.

Did you ever play a game when the rules keep changing? And just when you think you have it figured out, a different rule is introduced, often to your disadvantage. That ain't fair. And we all know that the rules have been changed and they are no longer equally just.

And the game isn't fun anymore. When it's not fair, it isn't fun.

In Nashville, as in many other cities, you can learn a lot by following a painted line on the sidewalk. This blue line takes visitors throughout the city to learn about 200 years of history of Music City. I recall following a line in Boston as we learned about events of the Revolutionary War. So, keep your eyes and ears open, you might wind up in a different spot by following the line.

Today's photo is from downtown Nashville.

I'd rather live in light, than among shadows. Photographically speaking, shadows add depth and texture, and mystery. Some of our personal history, beyond photography, is in the shadows. And those events have added depth and mystery to our stories. I suspect that there is not one journey without shadows, and without which, we would not yearn for the light. Today's gospel lesson, Luke 2:22-40, tells of an event of longing and fulfillment. May we all have moments where light is victorious over the shadows.

This 500 piece puzzle is still missing about 50 more until it's complete. I've given up. From here on, all of the pieces look the same and don't have the clues of different colors and shapes. I did nearly all of this. But I'm done. Judy thinks we ought to finish it. Nah, I'm done.

Nashville has (at least) two wonderful print shops. This poster/puzzle is from the Anderson Design Group. Of course the other historic print shop is the Hatch Show Print, now located at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. Delight to the eyes!

Our granddaughter is concerned that we may not get to see snow in Tennessee. So she hopes each winter that there will be sufficient snow in Nashville to impress her grandparents. We tell her that we are well aware of snow. In fact, we have shoveled it many times, like this one in Springfield, Illinois. That was enough snow to last us several winters. And I know for certain that Maddy's grandmother does not miss snow!

Merry Christmas to you all. This manger scene belongs to Dr. Keith Zimmerman, and wonderfully made by his father.