New Year's Eve walk: a reflection on 2011

These are the pictures I took on my New Year's Eve day walk and the ideas or thoughts that I associated with each image as I captured it. They don't all fit into a single category and may not seem to correlate at all, but maybe that reflects my year. I don't know if I can say I've learned one big idea, but rather become more sensitive to several, smaller ideas. These are the things I saw that stood out to me for whatever reason:

Things that are old and worn can still be in working
condition.

Little, quirky additions can be the ones that bring smiles.

Sometimes strangling things can look good
to begin with.

Even in the bitter cold of the winter, there is constant
hope that a warmer spring will come.

Simple ironies bring me amusement. (The sign after the "No Turn
Around..." sign says "Turn Around Here")

Steep climbs are often the most rewarding.
These stairs are on a path leading from my house
to the community beach, on of my favorite places
to go.

It's alright that a fence has gaps and holes.
It doesn't make it any less sturdy, but it does allow
people to see what's inside. I think this is something I realized 
this year and have been slowly working at.  

The sun still shines despite the clouds that cover it. 

All of the branches of this tree point upward.  Shouldn't
we do the same?

At first I thought this was real, then with another look
 realized it wasn't.I thought that merited a picture.

Cross-roads are everywhere. It's usually a good idea
to stop and consider the options ("look both ways")
before continuing.

Sometimes flamboyancy is not the right approach.

The "beauty" of each mailbox does not enhance, nor take
 away from its ability to be a mailbox. 

I just thought this was funny... and strange.

The chains that hold up swings are solid and dependable,
but still allow motion. I think the laws of God are similar.
When followed, they hold us up and support us while, at the
same time, giving us freedom.

Sometimes street signs can be prophetic. 

The Cross stands above.

Life is full of decisions.

You never know where in life a person is. The only thing
about this woman I can know for sure is that she's waiting
for the bus.

Childhood memories can give you a chance to breathe and get away
from the stresses of normal life. I generally welcome the opportunity
 to take a step back and just remember what life used to  be like: who my
friends were, what I valued, who I was. Then I can see how I've changed
and reevaluate whatever I'm stressed about and better
determine how much it actually matters.

Bridges go both ways. Once you cross it, it doesn't necessarily mean you
can never go back. 

Doorways and openings are cool and often necessary, but if they don't lead
anywhere, what's the point? Why spend precious time constructing
something that really doesn't make a difference or have a purpose?

Paths can't always be perfectly flat and without danger, but most of the time,
as long as you are careful and watchful, it isn't too difficult to at least
 stay on your feet.