Hey All

Welcome to my Portage Newsletter. 

It's December already. I can't believe it! And I've got snow to play in. But in my mind, we should only be about halfway through the year. Somewhere around June seems about right. Just what happened to 2006? I suppose that's a good sign. I must be having fun. 

I'm a wandering soul with little attachment to planned destinations. For me, it's the discovery and insight along the way that is so much more important. It's not my place to tell you what you must do, what might be wrong, or why. This newsletter is just an invitation for you to take a look for yourself. Enjoy! And take what suits you, discard what does not. I won't mind a bit. 

“It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

A special thanks to those of you who have passed this newsletter on to others. And I do appreciate your feedback. Keep it coming! 

If you're anticipating a transition, personal or business, just give me a call at 231-879-4178 or 877-762-4178. 

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December Nights

While I've been pushing more snow out of the driveway than I care to this time of year, I'm so appreciative of that same snow during these nights of the full moon. Full moon nights are beautiful no matter the time of year. And the additional brightness caused by the snow's reflection makes sleep seem inappropriate. I'm called to move outside in the middle of the night and chase shadows in the snow. 

Both December and night are often used as metaphors to describe the end; usually, the end of one's life. After last night, I'm no longer sure the metaphor fits. The woods around my house at 2:00 a.m. on a December, full-moon night is very much alive. The bright moon reflecting off the new snow allowed me to see that there's a lot going on at night in December. 

The animal tracks alone were amazing, from the tiniest of mouse tracks to the bigger tracks of the deer and coyote. These tracks were crossing each others’ paths with such seeming purpose that I felt there was some sort of sophisticated traffic pattern I was not privy to. In the open field near my home, I found the wing tracks of what was likely an owl that had swooped down to pluck a rabbit. 

In the bright stillness, I could hear every grunt, groan, snap and crack. All my senses were turned up a notch. And I was excited to perhaps see what might emerge from the shadows rather than fearful of what was lurking within them. So that's the full-moon, December night metaphor I'd rather embrace. Enjoy all your Decembers and all your nights.

See you on the flip side of 2006.
Love
Deb

“There will come a time when you think everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” ~ Louis L’Amour

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The Fine Print
A Note About My Recommendations
I provide links in this newsletter to products and services I am offering or I have personally found valuable. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let them and me know. If they don't make it right, I will.

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Copyright (c)  2006 by Deborah Martin. All rights reserved.