December 8, 2008 – A friend of mine said that some of the joy seemed to have gone out of me recently, and I was surprised at first, then realized that it was true. Sometimes other people have to tell you where you are. It has been a challenging period for me and I can really see it in the photography, which lost some of its sparkle recently.
  Joy is a big part of my life on the farm, and of my work, and I am already feeling it return. I experienced some loss this year, and a lot of change, and it got to me, I think.
  There are a lot of things going on, and I have been distracted, and weary in the head, and I am not immune or indifferent to all the gloomy tidings out in the country. I am not gloomy by nature or experience, and I feel intimations of joy all the time. And a lot of very wonderful things are happening to and around me.
 The beast is stirring. But I thank her for pointing out the lack of joy in me late. It is true, and it will return.