Today, the first of this new year, was a day to just relax and putter. I was thrilled to spot the pheasants in the garden this morning. 
Every Fall we have a conversation revolving around my sweetie’s desire to call the local farmer to come and plow the garden under and my responding no because I leave things in the garden for the deer and pheasants. Turnips and beets for the deer and, this year, some late kale, sunflowers and broccoli gone to seed for the pheasants. Once they get used to being there for a few days, I will start putting corn out for them. It’s a poor image as it was taken through the window but there they are!
We had about ten inches of snowfall over the weekend, and Mirza is thrilled with it and I love watching her run.

etc. etc. etc. One of my favourite parts in the old movie “Anna and the King of Siam” is when the king is dictating letters to other heads of state. He starts off strong each time and then waves his hand and pronounces “etc. etc. etc.”. Wouldn’t it be grand, some days to have someone to whom, with just the wave of a hand, you could pass on the rest of a task to?
It seems fitting on this first day of a new year to catch up, myself, on those etceteras. Well, you know, if I had an Anna in my life, all these things would have been done or mentioned long ago. But, alas!
I spent some time today trying to find a new theme for the blog. New year, new look. I’m not sure I totally like this new look but, after a half hour of looking, decided I’d better just pick one! I like the notepad feel of this as I often write on this style of notepad. So, we’ll see as the year progresses if I stick with this one or get bored with it and want something more vibrant. etc. etc. etc.
I’ve moved the blogroll to its own page, up above here. This freed up the sidebar (right hand column) for images and also allowed me to comment on each blog in the list which was fun! Fun is important! I also changed the name of the Small Stones page to Moments – short poetry focusing on a moment in my day. I wrote a few of these last January and then, zoom, zoom, the year disappeared but it’s something I’d like to take up again this year.
I’ve added an image, on the right, to my new blog which you are welcome to visit at any time. Just click on the image and it will take you to the new blog – Crowing Crone Woman of Wisdom! It’s focus is more “woo – woo” than this one and will, eventually morph into a website for my Crowing Crone services. Speaking of which, I’ve come up with an explanation for Holistic as in “Holistic Coach”. A Holistic coach is someone who has a whole list of services to offer, or a whole list of ways in which to assist you in looking within! etc. etc. etc.
New year means new challenges, new projects. One that I’m super excited to participate in is Sarah Potter’s Novel Writing Winter , a gentle way to pick up where NaNoWriMo left off. Tomorrow I’ll post a bit more about this. etc. etc. etc.
Today, Nancy over at Spirit Lights the Way announced “The Writer’s Desk – a Contest Giveaway” and I’m going to submit an article or poem for the contest. Should be lots of fun! Head over there, you writers, and check it out.
On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea suggested an Awesome Jar for this year and that, too, is something I’m going to do. More on that this Thursday. I have a few ideas for regular posts here that I’ve been pondering etc. etc. etc.
A lot of exciting things are coming up this year. I’ll be doing some poetry readings that you can listen to via phone or Skype. I’m going to submit my poetry for publication in book form and, along with designing a couple of 12 week wellness programs with another health coach, I’m putting together a 12 week “finding God within” course. I’ll keep you posted on all of that, etc. etc. etc.
It’s exciting to be on the threshold of another year. So many moments are heading our way. I want to choose to be still, to savour my life, to move into the year with confidence and grace. Above all, to walk in beauty.

Jan 26, 2013 @ 11:08:42
I hadn’t ever heard of the notion “etc. etc. etc.” before – but I love it! I also love the picture of Mizra dashing through the snow; it shows so much joy! I think blog redesigns are fun (especially when they are done with intentional and deliberate thought), and am excited to see where this year takes you. Us. Everyone.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 21:14:21
You are always overflowing with new ideas and new energy. It’s wonderful to behold! Etc etc etc!
(Love the song from the show too)
Jan 04, 2013 @ 14:06:48
What a busy girl you are.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 13:23:26
I love his non arrogance in ect…ect….ect…it was “As I Will…So Be It ” to me LOLs
I have been just reacting lately, not really focused on this year ….
I keep looking up and it seems hours have passed and I wonder where I have been….time is spinning in every direction and I just seem to shake my head and watch it…yes I wish for an Ann too
I will check out the links CCJ, Thank you for sharing
and most of all thank you for being you and sharing you….I always feel….when I have wandered in from the outside so to speak and read your thoughts…
I have my jar…I like that ideal….
and I would love to publish a book…*sigh* someday
yes I am rambling on …theres alot I always want to comment, but then I realize I am probably not making sense…
Sooo CCJ I will wander more…
and as always thank you for stopping by….
and I wish you the very best of what is yet to be in 2013….
Take Care….
You Matter….
)0(
ladyblue
Jan 04, 2013 @ 10:49:45
your ramblings are always welcome here. There are times in our life when we need to just sit on the side of the road for a while without feeling guilty of “less than” for doing so. I am so blessed by your poetry every time I visit your site. Words flow from your heart and vibrate across the universe. Blessings, dear one, blessings.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 06:36:04
Joss you do walk in Beauty my friend and I have no doubts what so ever that 2013 is a year of Great Things coming your way – reading the above I can see it will be packed full of wonderful events… Right now to click that image and see your other site
Jan 04, 2013 @ 10:50:38
Thank you Sue. The energies for this year seem to be encouraging everyone to bloom their creative spirits. What a wondrous year this will be.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 22:40:36
It’s fun to change a little every now and then. I like this … just as I like yellow legal paper in ‘real life’. I always buy the yellow version.
They have so many themes now! It’s hard to choose. If I like one thing about one theme, I perhaps don’t like the font and then there’s something else … Ari and Hum both have static left sidebar and I really like that. I’ve opted for Twenty Twelve right now, but I feel perhaps I’ll go back to Hum again. If I could create WP-themes, I’d make one where the top navigation bar was static … so it ‘followed’ you as you scroll down … that way you always have access to the ‘Home’button, but there is no such theme.
I haven’t come across one challenge this new year … last year, I remember seeing oodles of them.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 23:21:04
You’re right, not many challenges are showing up for 2013 – none that I have seen anyways! Wonder why? Oh , me I buy the lavender or soft yellow legal pads!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 19:34:23
I watched The King and I this fall with my mom . . . and loved the “etc. etc. etc.” Best part of the movie.
Glad you plan to participate in the Writer’s Desk contest. I’m having some computer issues (on WP, FB, and e-mail) at the moment, but hope to have them resolved in short order. Fingers crossed that I’ll be able to let the contest limp along until things get sorted out, etc. etc. etc.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:14:55
I love that you use The King and I for an example. I am always quoting the King. And never finding my Anna. It sounds like you have some wonderful activities going on and planned for, CC Joss. I also plan to make it a great year. Best wishes, Luanne
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:08:40
This is a great New Year piece. I love pheasants, and hope to see many of them when I visit a particular National Trust garden at the end of this week. Thanks for the mention of Novel Writing Winter and look forward to seeing your post about it.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 13:19:35
Oh my, it seems you have wave your hand and YOU have taken care of a lot of business yourself! Crafty as a fox and nimble as a pheasant
Blessings on all your plans!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:21:32
I like this new look! I love all your exciting plans for the new year, too. I believe creativity will shine in all its aspects this year. Thank you!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 10:50:03
I am still in love with the king of Siam, he was my first major crush.. now i shall have a look at your Winter Novel writing thingy.. I start editing today! etcetera, etcetera, (whisk of hand in dismissal), etcetera!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 10:16:39
It is great to see all your plans for the coming year, Joss. I like the new look of your blog, too – simple and clean. Thanks for the photos – joyful in how life goes on at all times of the year. I love how you are planning and are excited about new projects – we make our own purpose in life, I think.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 10:22:10
We do indeed make our own purpose. the older I get, the more exciting that becomes.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 08:33:47
Excellent start to the new era, Joss ~ I know what changes I wish t make, but have not got as far as planning or implementing them just yet. (Still on holiday until Monday!) I have my Awesome Jar ready though, gonna start it right now! Looking forward to an interesting, heart~centered 2013, too. Great post
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:42:39
I sense this is going to be an amazingly creative year for us, for our world.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 07:36:23
Hi Joss! Just popped in to wish you and yours the very best for the year ahead. Good luck with all your endeavours.
Bridget x
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:57:36
thanks for stopping in for a wee visit! Wishing you all the best that life can bring this year.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 05:41:47
I thought i was in the wrong place. Although i agree i need a a person i can wave my hand at and etc, etc etc … loved the film. The year looks exciting!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:56:51
One of my favourite films. Right up there with My Fair Lady! It’s going to be a great year, for sure.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 15:08:07
it is
Jan 02, 2013 @ 01:42:41
I like the legal paper. It’s been awhile, so I don’t know if that’s new or newish…and the side bar, new blog, etc. etc. etc. I like the button for your “other blog.”
Happy 2013! Here’s to a grea start!
Sandi
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:56:05
and a great start to you as well. Onward and Forward, as my friend Lucie says.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 00:08:54
I like the look of your new blog face, and can’t agree more … sometimes when the calendar rolls over to the New Year, it can be a good thing to make some changes, and shake things up a bit. Thanks for the multiple links as well.
Hope 2013 brings you everything you need, in abundance.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:55:26
Abundance is a marvelous word. Thank you for that. Today’s work is to get my office organized better and to clear a space for my writing desk.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 00:05:56
Oh, I love that “etc. etc. etc.” line…the drama of the voice too! I also gave up on Anna arriving and have undertaken the “etc’s” myself…lots of letting go of and catching up on…but good! I love Becca’s “awesome jar” idea…Marie also had it on her blog…great idea! I’ve been busy with that too! I’m finding this new year energy very calmly invigorating….isn’t that a combination?
Jan 02, 2013 @ 09:54:40
That’s a great description of this year’s energies – calmly invigorating! It’s how I feel, very much.