The dark days are here, and they are getting to me, as they are to many people.

My mental illness is general anxiety; my depression was intense for a while but has gone away as I learned to live my life. It does come back during the darkest dark days – now through January –  I need color and light in my life to stay grounded.

I’ve learned to deal with it – meditation, photography, writing, Maria, and blogging. Today, as the farm turned pitch black just after 4 p.m., I felt myself slipping.

I meditated, read for a while, took the camera out, and saw what I could see. I saw the moon, Maria in her studio, and the barn in the moonlight. I also turned on my Therapy Lamp, a/k/a Happy Lamp. My lamp really helps me in the dark days.

If you are interested in one, check them out on Amazon. They are inexpensive, and I can vouch for them. They work. See mine below.

There is beauty everywhere if you look for it, and my photography compels me to look for it. As always, it was right there in front of me, as often happens.

I took my Leica 2, which has not failed me yet. Getting that camera was one of the best things I have ever done.

I went out to take a picture of the Studio Barn in the dark, and Maria stepped outside of the studio to take a picture of me. Fair Enough.

Tomorrow I’m heading to Saratoga, so my surgical podiatrist can look at my foot and tell me if it is healing or not. The game is on.

Maria took this shot above of me taking a shot of her.

The moon hung up bravely in the sky, surrounded by a great sea of black. The picture is hypnotic to me. The black says it all. I like the simplicity.

I have a busy week. Tomorrow the foot doctor, Thursday we’re going to Bishop Gibbons. Friday is my Mansion Meditation Class.

My daughter understands my craziness as well as anyone but Maria, perhaps. Three years ago, she sent me this therapy light designed by psychologists to ease the gloom and occasional depression. It works. It was one of my better Christmas presents.

Good night and a bright day for you tomorrow.