Happy New Year to YOU!

happy new year to YOU!
Originally uploaded by randi rivers.

Well, here we are.... on the brink of a brand new year - 2006. Seems incredible, doesn't it?

2005 hasn't been a particularly exciting year for me. Nothing in my own life was especially remarkable, earth-shattering, devastating or anything like that. I think it was the kind of year that just passes by and becomes a mile marker in the long stream of life. Which is exactly the kind of year I don't mind having.

That's not to say that 2005 was un-remarkable. Not at all!! There were indeed some earthly happenings that caused havoc and devastation, death and despair to so many! The tsunami of late December 2004 and the Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 were two such bringers of destruction. We saw the globe pull together, though, and help out those that were in desparate need. Thankfully, my own family has been safe and sound.

2005 has not seen the end of war and strife in the Middle East. It is hoped that 2006 will bring about a different story and our troops can come home and the war-torn contries can get busy rebuilding their people's homes and lives. That would be a good thing for us all to work towards. Ending war. Yeah. War is not good for children and other living things!

A really good thing about 2005, for me, is that I discovered flickr photo sharing. It almost feels like I've found a second family! I've made friends with people all over the world and have never met them face to face. And I've been around the internet for at least twelve years. There's just something about the people there on flickr , the artists and the visionarys, the professionals and the snapshooters, the proud moms and dads, the photoshoppers and the upload-em-as-they-are folks....they are all so very special, and I so enjoy seeing what the day brings in uploads. These are some of my favorites, collected so far. Go here to check them out : My Favorites and here to see my own photos : My Sets .

Tell a Story in 5 Frames, Visual Story-Telling, is my favorite group there. I've very much enjoyed being a member of this group. There have been some wonderful stories posted with great photos, and some pretty lively discussions.
The stories have ranged from tragedy, see fezhead's A Separate Peace, to chuckle funny, Isado's Saturday in the Park, to reflective as in Drkmg's Hard at Work. From the exotic, beckerpecker's Death of a Beautiful Afternoon, and the amazing, beckerpecker's Multiple Personalities and SkiMom's Swimming with Bear to the stark reality of human frailty, wilkiecoco's Gravedigger... and J.Star's Love and Redemption, there have been stories posted here that touch nearly every facet of the human condition and the world in which we live. There are many great storytellers here, so take a few minutes to check out the group. You might discover a story you want to tell. O, yes, scary stories are there as well! Take a look at this one : xylonets' If You Go Out to the Barn Tonight.... If you do go out there, be verwy verwy careful!

Some other streams you might like to check out are :

Protection Island - British Columbia and Canada - BEAUTIFUL!
Wildlifeuplift - Pacific Northwest- Raccoon & Forest photos-AMAZING!
Bellys, Mothers, Babies - Visit and take a look at this set. MOVING!

These are but a few of the incredible sets and photostreams that are there for the viewing on flickr . Go check it out. I'm totally, and unashamedly, addicted and enthralled!

Well, that's about it. What a post, huh?

Have yourself an awesome 2006! I expect mine will be rather eventful. Stop back by and visit....read about the growing pangs I know I'll go through as my son graduates high school and enters college. Hmmm... I think it will be interesting!

See ya 'round!

Randi