"First Footing"... encore une fois!

Yes... it is indeed that time in the year... when according to the ancient Scottish tradition of "first footing"... one tries to be the first in the New Year to cross the threshold of a loved one, or dear Friend. It is both a gesture of deep love... perhaps even in computer terminology the act of  pushing the "refresh" button... renewing or updating what has been on the screen for a long period of time.

I wrote a post back on December 31st, 2009 describing this very same practice, a practice passed down from my now long deceased Grandparents Andrew and Christina Birrell and then through my Mother and Dad... as well passed on. The question back then and remains this morning ... "Who do I first foot?... given that I live a very long distance from any my relatives. Lisa, who lives just a short drive from here is spending her first Christmas in her new home in the Barbados. At the time of the original "first footing" post she was living in Jamaica. My daughter Allison at that time was in the process of writing her PhD thesis. She has that doctorate degree now... and at the moment teaches at Queen's University in her home town of Kingston and is marking exams and writing a post doctoral fellowship paper at the moment.

My point? Life changes... as it should. Our personal and business lives have changed dramatically with our move to Rockport from Hillsdale. We possibly risked a loss of revenue or clientele with that decision... and most likely did. But on the other side of the same toss of the coin... we gained a daily view of the River and a life closer to most of our family members. Both of these "pluses"... more than offset any potential and never to be known "losses." We put our heads and hearts together and  decided... then acted upon our intuition and our trust in our abilities and commitment to each other. Life is good... and we feel deeply blessed!

So today... I choose to "first foot" any one of my blogging Friends who visits my site... wishing them the same rich blessings... peace... health and happiness that are ours. Take the courage to see past just dreaming. Activate a plan of action during the next year to enrich your artistic life. Don't be afraid to try new things... with a resolution to pull your artistic plow... rather than merely following it.

And finally... in closing, I offer you lines from a Reggae tune by Bugle:

"Don't blame life.
Blame the way you live it."

Be the hero in your life story ... rather than  the victim of it.

 wish everyone a Happy and Blessed New Year... in every Season of 2013!

Good Painting ... to ALL!

I
"The Magificence of Algonquin Park Throughout  All Seasons"
  A four canvas wrap quadriptych 6 feet x 12 feet
6feet x12 feet