It's almost time for Halloween...what does that mean?

Yes, Halloween is just around the corner, but what does that mean? Does it mean Christmas is also just around the corner, or maybe the New Year? Well, yeah, it does that too, but what it means to me is that Fall is in the air and leaves are turning colors.

There's something about the earth when it is all green, but then when it starts to turn the many shades of Autumn, it is beautiful still. The world is a wonderful place and all of the colors we see when the air gets crisp is just wonderful. Mountains turn from shades of green to yellow, red, orange and brown. Sometimes in the right light, they even look as though they are on fire, because of the wonderful shades of yellow, orange and red. I love the fall, it's time to bring out the sweaters, hoodies and rakes. Yes, to clean up all the leaves that have fallen from the trees.

Halloween is my favorite time of the year, I love being able to dress-up as something else. I love being scared and scaring others, I love having the opportunity to be something or someone else for even just one day. The question this year, is what shall I be? Something scary, like last year or the year before or the year before? Maybe I'll make my own costume this year, I love to sew and when it gets chilly out, there's nothing like sitting down and sewing or scrapbooking, which is something I'm just getting into these days.

Yes, Halloween is my favorite holiday, it always has been. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and the meaning behind it, but I like having just one day to be someone or something other than myself. It's great that it is just the one day too, because I love who I am and I won't change anything about me; but one day a year, I can be something or someone else.

This photo was taken last year, though I think I've been Sally from "A Nightmare Before Christmas" at least three or four years running, she is my favorite and last year, Dave was Jack Skellington. The perfect couple, but what to be this year?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have fallen in the fight for our freedoms and in our protection. It is a time when we should remember that we are free because of others being willing to give their lives for us.

I have a special place in my heart for those who serve in our military and continue to support for and fight for our freedoms. I have many family members who are in the military, as well as a husband and serving myself. It is for love of country and the desire to continue to live in a free country that I serve.

On this Memorial Day, I find myself thinking of my Grandfather, who passed away a couple years ago. He served in the military and was honored for his service in World War II. Due to a fire, we do not have any of his records, just his memories and they were shared with my Mother before his passing. These stories are enough for us to recall the great service he provided so that we are free today.

This also reminds me of the need to keep my own record. Writing down the happenings in my life. Though they may seem like small things today, one day, they may be helpful to someone else. Keeping journals and histories is how we know what happened in the past, there is a need to keep these records now so that those who come after us can remember what we have done. Maybe they can learn from our mistakes.

On this Memorial Day, I am going to remember those who have served and those who are serving. It is because of them that I have the freedoms I do today and I will never forget nor take for granted these freedoms.

Christmas Traditions

On this Christmas Eve, I am reminded of the many family traditions I have, as well as those of others. My favorite and the one I miss the most when I am away from my family is the reading of The Littlest Angel. But you can read it yourself you say, so true, but not the same. My father always reads it and has read it ever since I can remember. So it really isn't the same for me to read it myself, alone, it must be read aloud and by Dad. Don't get me wrong, I'll still read it, aloud to my husband, but it doesn't compare to Dad reading it.

My mother told me the story once, though I'm sure I might remember it wrong, of why or how the tradition began. See, many years ago, when we were all very young (I have a fairly large family) my parents found or where given this children's book called The Littlest Angel. Dad began reading it to us each Christmas Eve, it is a very fitting tale for Christmas. Since some of the words are rather large, Dad had written in easier words for himself. But that copy, well used and rather old, is not around or at least in my possession.

For many years I searched for a good copy of this book, one to remind me of the one from my childhood and eventually, I found one. So tonight, I'll read the beloved family story and think of my siblings, hopefully doing the same. In this manner, we will be closer together for Christmas. Since I currently live on the opposite side of the country from them.

A tradition of my Aunt is to read The Polar Express, I will also read this one and probably watch the movie too, because I still believe. A friend of mine asked me if I knew how Santa's sleigh got it's power. I said, "Reindeer power" and he said, "no, from those who believe." So I do believe and will always believe and therefore, he'll have some power through me.

At this time, I must also remember the real reason for the season and will read the beloved story of the first Christmas and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Book of Luke. This is the reason for this wonderful holiday and we must keep that in mind as we tear open presents and gather as friends, family, neighbors and groups. We are blessed by the birth of the Christ Child and we must make this a part of our celebrations, it really should be the main part of our celebrations.

To all on this wonderful Christmas Eve, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and that you can remember the reason for the season.

My reason for blogging...

I have been wanting to create a blog for some time now. It all started with the show "Julie and Julia" it got me thinking, I can write a blog and who cares if it has a point or not. I mean, it is just my views on the world. Nothing to profound of course, just words on a page that the world can see. But I didn't start a blog then, because, I thought to myself, "You already do an online journal and that is like blogging."

I did however, join or re-join Weight Watchers in January, as a new years resolution, so what does that have to do with blogging? They have this online community where you can blog about your journey in weight loss. I posted a blog, got no readers, didn't go back. Then a few months ago, I figured if I was going to make the most of my online adventure in weight loss, I had to make friends. I started out reading other people's blog posts and commenting on them, then I stepped out of  my box and asked people to be my friends. Then I joined some challenges and became a blogger. I didn't get comments at first and it kinda made me wonder if it was worth it, but after a while I did get a few comments.

Now, I've decided that my Weight Watchers blog is all about my journey with losing weight, I needed a blog to just blog about whatever came to mind. The little things or simple things of life. Things I've learned or been upset about. Things that are just to long to post in my Facebook page has being anything of significance to anyone else but me. Actually, it's because my thoughts are to long for the status update and I didn't want to write notes that nobody would look at in the first place, so I wanted to start a blog.

I put it off for a very long time, then last night, reading my little Sister's blog about her new little arrival and the things she shared and knowing my older sister also had a blog about whatever. I figured I can do this. So last night, I started my blog. I created it, named it, changed the look, modified the look and saved it.

I didn't post anything, I was really to tired to think and headed to bed, but then as I was laying there wondering when I would fall into the great slumber of sleep, I thought I better change the name of my blog and my link. Originally it was "Just my rambling thoughts" and then I realized when I tried to get the URL that everyone probably thinks of things like that when they first create a blog and since someone already had the URL, I wanted to change it. I got to thinking, I am Butternut and this is my corner of the world, so Butternut's Corner was born and believe it or not the URL was available. (That may be odd to you, but you would be surprised at how many people use that name on Facebook games)

So, here it is day two of my wonderful blog and all I can think is, why didn't I do this earlier. I am an online journaler, what does that mean and is that even a word (not according to my spellcheck, but I'm leaving it in)? I keep my journal online. I have a handwritten journal as well, but I usually prefer to type my thoughts, as they flow better and can be put to paper faster.

So this blog, that I created, will be just some random thoughts and things as I go through this wonderful journey of life. Comments are welcome and will be read and maybe commented upon or blogged about later, but still, I don't mind what others think, I just request that you remember this is my blog and I have my opinions and you have yours, don't start a fight with me over something you don't agree with that I've said. You have your own blog to write what you want and to voice your opinion.

That is a great thought right there, I'm sure I can write a whole new blog about it, but still, we live in a wonderful country where we can create these blogs and voice our opinion. Yes, I'm sure they are being monitored and people are being watched, but I don't plan on covering politics in my blog, I cover that when I vote. Exercising my right to vote is a great privilege that not all people have and that is how I can voice my political opinion, that and writing to my congressperson and hope that they actually read what is written instead of having some intern write a stupid reply....ok, no more talk about politics.

To all those who desire to read this blog, thank you, to those that think I'm crazy, so be it, but this is my blog and I'm going to write about what I want. It may not be life changing to some, but then again, you may not be the one who is learning from these blog posts, it may be me or it may be someone somewhere in the world that needed to hear what I've said. As long as one person is uplifted and touched, my work is done.

A note about the pictures I will use, they are all ones I have taken, unless otherwise noted. I believe in using my own photos because I enjoy taking them, not that they are great, but still I enjoy taking pictures and most of the time they tell the story. This one I chose is a rose that is beginning to open, just as this blog is the first of many, it is the beginning or my opening.

Happy reading!