I know it’s not as snappy as ‘got lemons, make lemonade’ but I thought there just had to be some equivalent catchy phrase as I watched these two determined young guys clearing skating space on the pond out back.
Making the best of a bad situation is something I’ve long admired in others and I hope I’ve practiced it myself on occasion. With the ‘twitter President’ about to be sworn in, sabres being rattled around the world and the climate getting angrier at us by the minute I think this may be a good theme for a motto for 2017.
That doesn’t let us off the hook however for rejecting outright whatever is happening and not trying to change it…hmm may need a motto change already to encompass the whole of the new year ahead! Suggestions gratefully accepted.
Womanseyeview's Blog 
So late catching up on my favorite bloggers! Can’t imagine such a cold winter. We had a great deal of rain which is a blessing and for us the weather has been quite chilly. Can you believe I have only ice skated once in my life?
I catch up too every once in a while – seems hard to stay on top of them every day…I have never been much of an ice skater even bough we have the ideal climate. So glad to hear about your rain – hope it helps.
Oh, that is nice that You made skating ring. Very cool.
Thank you 😊
Ice rectangle? That’s a hockey rink to me. Keep your stick on the ice.
Oscar
Me too! Thanks.
I used to be one of those kids. So I know what you are saying with your saying. And yes it does hold broader implications in today’s political reality, doesn’t it!
A good start was made this weekend and the slogans were a lot more colourful than mine here!
The title is a great slogan! 🙂
Thanks!
Got snow, make ice, A great slogan, and, hopefully, it will keep everything nicely chilled/relaxed. 🙂 Though I must say I would quite happily throw a bucket of ice over a certain person every time he tweets.
I think he got a big bucket thrown over him this weekend😊Thanks for the visit.
Hi Carol, we’ve missed you! I think your “Got snow? Make ice” theme is perfect for the new year (and probably the next 4). 🙂 James and I want to wish you a happy and healthy New Year filled with love and adventure. All the very best, Terri
Oh Terri, let’s hope it’s strong enough to get us through the four years alright! Thank you for your good wishes and I’m looking forward to following your travels again in 2017 – loved the recent posts on Cambodia.
No snow here yet, though we’ve had plenty of frosts and lots of fog so far this winter. It would be nice to be able to retain a little youthful energy and enthusiasm like the boys clearing the pond! I hope your 2017 is a good one for you! Best wishes, Clare 🙂
Well Clare, if you’d like we’ve had snow enough to share this year and it’s early days yet. All the best for 2017 to you and your family too and look forward to following your blog.
Thank-you! And er….no thanks for the offer of snow! 😀
I’ve missed you too! That looks like a big job .. sure is a very christmassy! Best wishes for the New Year! 😄
Best wishes to you too and I know that your Christmas scenes at the farm would look the opposite to this!
I’ve always found saying to myself, “I can make a positive out of this” helps through the tough times. Somewhere in there, there is usually a faint light at the end of the tunnel, otherwise, without hope, none of us would get up in the morning 🙂 A friend of mine into numerology says 9 (as in 2016) is a finishing number, where 1 or 10 (as in 2017) is about new beginnings and new initiatives. Let’s all cling to that thought 🙂 Love the skating photos! And doubly love GP’s poster. Have a very Happy New and welcome back to blogging.
Thank you Gwen – I tend to take little breaks from blogging although I agree this year has not been me at my most garrulous;-) I am more consciously trying to make the best of situations although sometimes it’s best just to know when to walk away…something else I have to work at!
I am trying so hard to prioritise novel writing before blog posting. Two different styles. I think perhaps I should return to that Liz Thurlow short story series. She seemed to be taking on a life all of her own design.
It’s fun to see the boys clearing the ice. It almost looks like a Christmas card scene.
It does doesn’t it – could have been 100 years ago;-)
I like the theme of this post. A positive, can-do attitude can make all the difference in how we approach the challenges we face. There’s always good with the bad and sometimes the difference between the two is simply our attitude.
Let’s make 2017 a good year – in spite of the challenges we see ahead 🙂
Nice to hear from you Joanne and all the best to you, Gilles and the boys for a happy and HEALTHIER 2017.
Beautiful images Carol. Stay strong over there democracy will prevail.
Thank you Denis and let’s hope our neighbour to the South has the strength to overcome this too.
I grew up with this scene on the prairies. Makes me quite nostalgic. I join others in expressing my delight to see you back in the blogosphere. Happy New Year!
Thank you Sue and I look forward to following you and Dave on your always fun adventures in the year ahead.
I remember shoveling snow off of ponds so we could go skating as a youngster. That brings back memories!
Good to see you back, Carol. Hope for the best of whatever 2017 has to offer. I have a copy of Desiderata on my wall, and look at it often.
Can’t say that I ever cleared snow off a pond Lavinia but it seems such a wonderful old fashioned notion these days. All the best to you and the farm for a wonderful year ahead.
I remember kids doing that when I lived in Boston (too many years ago to contemplate!) It’s great fun at that age. I’m finding that it serves me well not to get too strung out anticipating the bad news for the coming year. I am thoroughly grateful for my health (such as it is at my advanced years) and the marvelous relationship I’ve found. I do support causes I consider worthwhile, but try not to get drowned in negativity. I think it’s about all we can do at this point.
So good to see you posting again! I’ve been a bit remiss myself with life getting pleasantly busy of late.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful and happy coming year.
Because you have the best quotes of any blogger I know I want to share one of my favourites:
“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.”
― Langston Hughes
All the best to you too in the coming year and we’ll post when we can!
Awww shucks, what a nice compliment! Thank you.
Brrrr…. just looking at the photos has me wanting a cup of steaming hot coco 😊
That would have been a good title – ‘got snow – make cocoa’!
I’ve been missing your posts too, and I like this one. Having trouble feeling positive about 2017 …. must try harder. Nevertheless, all good wishes for the new year to you.
Aww thank you – nice to know I was missed. All the best to you and your family too, especially your daughter.
Well this rink looks like great fun! I love how they divided it in half, assuming they both take a side to clear the snow. Mr. Trump might be able to learn a thing or two from these two! All the best in 2017!
I hadn’t noticed that division of work – good for them…maybe they’re brothers who share a bedroom! All the best for 2007 to you too.
Oh wow, all that energy and preparation – it would be good if we could just hold on and channel that attitude for our adult years. I truly admire the folks that ‘make lemonade’. It looks like we are all going to need to draw on our reserves and tackle that mountain of lemons together. Wishing you a New Year filled with peace.
Optimism, which these two seemed to have as well, is sometimes hard to channel into adulthood…Wishing you too, and all of us, peace in the New Year.
😊 Thank you.
Those young men are keen. Will they clear the whole rectangle or just some skating paths? Democracy can throw up interesting results when people vote for what they want. All the best for 2017.
Does look like my week actually! All the best for 2017 GP.
Cheers! 🍸
I’m watching and not quite believing… 😦 I’d sooner watch those youngsters 🙂
Funny- I just asked over at mine why you stopped blogging and here you are. Only when you have something to say, huh? Or a more pressing project 🙂 Whichever it is I’m delighted to be able to wish you a positive outcome in 2017. You never quite know? Health and happiness!
It’s true I’m not blogging as often but I may get back to my 2 per month again…darn where did I leave that resolution list! I try never to miss your blog though my friend and look forward to following you again in 2017.
Thank you 🙂
So people are actually skating on the pond out back? Remarkable. Can’t help with a motto for 2017 but have to say I’m grateful every day and it’s time to pay it forward.
Not skating yet but working hard at it. Every year kids set up a skating area to shoot a few pucks…a cross country skier just glided by too – perfect Canadian winter scene. Paying it forward sounds like a plan!