Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Winter Solstice

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice will arrive on Monday, December 21, 2020 marking the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

As always, I will spend the first full day of winter (Tuesday) – in the early morning communing with nature, walking one of the local trails in my community, appreciating the majesty of the winter terrain – naked trees and desiccated flowers, a world painted in brown. It sounds awful, and it is in a way, but there is still beauty to be found. Hibernating trees allow me to see more of the sky.

Winter is my favorite season. Who’s to say what’s in store because you can’t always rely on a meteorologist, and the Farmer’s Almanac has been known to be a bit murky with its predictions, too. I prefer not to know future outcomes, but to take each day as it comes. The most reliable forecaster? Well, that would be me waking up to look out the window, at the thermometer, and sky. They tell me all I need to know. I dress in layers, and I always take an umbrella wherever I go.

Winter and I are simpatico. It never lets me down. Well, next to never. How can I forget last year (too warm and no snow). I find myself always wishing for more snow. There never seems to be enough. I would love a repeat of the snowstorms of 2010. Now that was a good year!

For those who loathe winter, take comfort the days are about to get longer, which means more sunshine. Your mind won’t detect the subtle difference each day, but your body will, especially for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Hang in there, because spring will be here before you know it.

I see the beginning of the winter solstice as a rebirth, a time of great celebration. Enjoy! – paerki

(The photos in this post are from Sunday Brunch at my home.)

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki