Sunset, December 23, 2019

I literally worked until after 7:00 p.m. on December 23, 2019. If it were not for Toby, we'd not have had any semblance of "Santa Christmas" here. I was swamped. I did my part all on December 24 and 25, and even the 26th. (I made 217 tamales! By. My. Self!) Needless to say, by the evening of December 25, we were exhausted. Everything went to the last minute here. (Then we headed to Louisiana to see Toby's family on the 27th only to come home a day early on the 29th because Toby and I succumbed to the inevitable sickness that happens when you're just too tired for too long.) 

All that said, as I've written before, Toby has taught me that you have to make yourself take a moment at times and seize that moment. As it turned out, on December 23, around sunset, I went out to check the mail. I immediately noticed gorgeous color reflecting off the clouds in the East. 

My view toward the East. Yes, something was making that happen out West.

I knew that meant there had to be something quite spectacular in the West. I double-timed it to the local At Home where there are lovely grassy knolls and a pretty clear view of the West. I was right! Look at what I got (presented in order of when I took them)! 

And, as I was walking back home, I got this final shot. 

So, people, my message to you is - seize a few moments. That brief will still be there when you get back in 15 minutes. So will dinner, the cleaning, the laundry, whatever. A few minutes can really make a difference! 

Thanks for reading!