The Old Mule in the Well

the last day of November

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?"- Hal Borland

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying - or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to seal the well and seal the mule's fate.

Initially the old mule panicked as shovelfuls of dirt came down on his back. But it dawned on him as the farmer and his neighbors shoveled and the dirt came down that he should shake it off and step up!

This he did, blow by blow. "Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up," he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful or distressing the situation, the old mule fought panic and kept shaking it off and stepping up.

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well. What seemed like would bury him actually blessed him.

If we face our problems, respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us.

You will never go any higher than you think

from a blog post "Life Gets Better When You Get Better" by steven pace (link)

James Allen said, "Let there be nothing within thee that is not very beautiful and very gentle, and there will be nothing without thee that is not beautiful and softened by the spell of thy presence."

There is something very sacred about these words.

Over the years I have learned the very opposite.

• I have learned to be greedy.
• I have learned to push instead of pull.
• I have learned to manipulate others so that I can get my way.

I see the same in others all around me. What I realize now is that I am merely projecting myself into the world and I am seeing a reflection of me.



That is a sobering moment when you realize that it is not the world that is sick… it is you. I have anger inside me, so I see anger in others. I have worry in me, so I find things to worry about. I also have love and compassion in me, so I get mixed feelings much of the time.

However, what I have learned - especially this year - is that as I get better, the world gets better. Meaning this

• as I dissipate my anger and focus more on love, I will see less anger in the world and I will start to see more love
• when I stop being mad at the world for what I don’t have and start being grateful for what I do have…then life gets better.

As Benjamin Disraeli said, "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think."

Therefore, it is in my power to live the life I want to in the world the way that I perceive it. You can immediately change your life if you understand that concept.

Well, wow

Things and blessings

Yeah, this is for sure ME with my 'to-do' stuff in hand. Yesterday I went from thing to thing to thing pretty steadily, thank goodness for energy to do all in a day. And not be pooped and grumpy by bedtime - that's Kent's job - a certain/sure change from how I went to bed the two nights before. The weekend straight took it out of me I'll tell you. Out of a few of us around here... Erin and Mike driving home to Denver Sunday; Sandra and Brent, well I've no idea where they are today but surely coming to after family in their home, Thanksgiving, the wedding, and days in Park City with their kids, all but the newlyweds. I've posted how active my mom became after Thanksgiving, and how drained dad was by Saturday. Laura ended about a ten-day stint Sunday with kids and grand kids at her house for the holidays and sick again took a deserved nap, and Chris ended up in the ER overnight Sunday with pain near his sternum - after saying goodbye early in the day to Karen and Andrew and Ben who are traveling home to Dallas from their vacay here. (Skiing and snowboarding and eating out like crazy!) Be on the road a couple of long days, and it's a worry. Kent and I drove Chris home early yesterday from the hospital and he lay in bed fairly weak, I'm sure feeling by last night himself pooped and grumpy.

Kent is recovering nicely thank you from the sick he got from me two weeks ago. But I just heard him coughing up a lung and muttering he thinks he may never be better. Bother.

This IS me with my 'to-do's.' Many several lists, not just items. Count them: I have a grocery list always, and a 'mom and dad' list; and now a bo·na·fide Christmas list which not only has gift ideas and holiday reminders on it but Jillian's birthday don't forget. And a trip to Idaho...? And Abbie's birthday at the end of the month. It should be a 'December' list, too truly. Laura's birthday too, coming right up! Here's a dozen entries on my Costco list and four on Walmart. And my real for sure TO DO list has over twenty, one I put there last May: hand-quilt my Christmas table runner. Oops!

The very most longest list I have I check often: things to be very grateful for. No kidding. Will I go to bed pooped or grumpy once in a while? Heck yes. But I WON'T completely run out of time or energy or good will in the next few weeks considering my many blessings in hand.

Goings-on

Turkey sandwiches.
Ham sandwiches.
Sweet potatoes.
Mashed potatoes and gravy.
Pumpkin pie.
Chocolate pie.
Chowder made with homemade turkey stock from the carcass and left over vegetables, ham and turkey.
Cranberry sauce.

We're still enjoying ours - how 'bout you?
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I've had an interesting weekend. Super busy week of course culminating in the all-day wedding events with our kids and Hales. Dad let me know Friday night that his day (the day we were at the wedding) with mom was the hardest yet at the care center; by Saturday morning he was saying that Friday night was equally bad. Mom went home wound up from Thanksgiving at our house, and for more than 24 hours was hyper, moving about the apartment (at night, for hours before she finally settled down at midnight, getting out of bed) in response to her very, very active thoughts. Absolutely in a world of her own, wherever her brain is firing - or not. This has about worn poor dad out. Giving verbal instructions she cannot follow, keeping her seated and settled, and helping her with things about which she seems more than usually befuddled. Saturday afternoon I arrived to visit and took her for a long walk in the bright sunshine - these days are cool and the sun feels wonderful; the trees are leafless - which I knew when I got back with her to the apartment had given dad a short sleep. He was zonked in his chair. He came awake groggily as we entered and assumed again the "caregiver." (You guys, he's tired.) We talked a while about the weirdness, the more than usual activity and difficulty, the severe limitations mom is newly showing, then I drove on home in twilight pretty disheartened.

I said nothing to Kent about it, thinking I needed to think about what I was feeling instead of doing a big emotional throw up. My sisters or daughters are great for that, the vent, and I do it with my grown sons occasionally when they're exactly who I want, though I'm cautious with Kent. He's a listener and certainly tends towards facts and data - and the way I was feeling was, well, just feely. Down. But I calmed myself admirably through the evening at home and it wasn't until after church yesterday that I took up the subject with Kent at last... at last getting teary and gushing about how worried I am about my parents.

I think all in all dad's comments to me Saturday afternoon that we will go forward a day at a time with mom's illness - praying to know how to deal with what's next - is what there is. It's what we can do. God in his heaven above all is keenly aware (I'm aware) of the interesting goings-on here.

Remember the Sabbath day

President Spencer W. Kimball taught how we might observe the Sabbath: “The Sabbath is a day on which to take inventory—to analyze our weaknesses, to confess our sins to our associates and our Lord. It is a day on which to fast in ‘sackcloth and ashes.’ It is a day on which to read good books, a day to contemplate and ponder, … a day to study the scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach the gospel, a day to proselyte, a day to visit quietly with the family and get acquainted with our children, a day for proper courting, a day to do good, a day to drink at the fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of his sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day to climb high on the upward path toward our Heavenly Father” (Teachings, 216).

Wedding day too

After the marriage ceremony yesterday I followed Erin to where the children were being tended and had her model Sarah for me... isn't she darling! Abbie's in a brown taffeta with a red sash and Landon and Noah are sporting red bow ties.



So I did get a nap yesterday - Kent and I left the Salt Lake Temple shortly after the sealing and drove home to rest for a couple of hours before the luncheon instead of staying with the group for pictures outside and a walk around Temple Square. It sure helped. But you can see I missed a chance to take pics of my grand kids.

Here's what we saw as we entered the luncheon room. Sandra had had a book made of some of Annie's and Joey's most photographic moments which we guests signed. An elegant keepsake. Sadly my snapshots indoors here turned out fuzzy and dark and I've ditched them, but I've added a picture below of Erin's family and the Hale kids with Annie and Joey posing for the professional photographers just before the reception began.



Sandra and Brent's grownup children. The two on the right, Laura and Mike have each have had new babies in the last four months (Mike's the daddy of baby Sarah, above) and the two married sons on the left have wives due in December and January!

Annie's the baby in this bunch...



... and Joey's (clearly) the new favorite in-law!

Wedding day

Wow, sure dozy this morning after the full day we had yesterday...

... was your Thanksgiving awesome?! Ours was with a meal that took from 5:30 in the morning to just after one o'clock to put together and then only sixteen minutes to pass around the table (twelve adults and two little ones) and get eaten. Gee! There was pie served all around an hour later and football on for the still-conscious; we were full as ticks. Mom and dad stayed a good part of the day with us which was nice. Oohh and three passes in the dishwasher for kitchen clean up and a hand-washed load besides and happily we've got our counter space back this morning. Right in time - there's pots and pans air drying even now - 'cause Kent and I are leaving to spend the day in Salt Lake to witness a sealing and attend a wedding luncheon and reception later tonight for a great friend. Annie Hale is marrying Joey Jorgensen!  It's their wedding day, cuh-razy! Sandra's daughter and my Erin's sister-in-law, and my son Scott's old roommate are tying the knot! Small teeny tiny world, eh.

It'll be a marathon day, I'm pooped. The night wasn't long enough. I will need a nap - I can feel it coming on. See how it goes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day before

Today is one of my favorite days of the year; the day before Thanksgiving day. Usually (and it's this way again this year) there's nobody around yet and I can think straight! Plan tomorrow. Make a mess in the kitchen and start the good smells coming. In the fridge for instance is holiday Jello salad Aunt Nancy Schaedler gave me the recipe for from before even Jenny was born which I do put together make every year - even it smells good. Fruity, the middle layer lemony with pineapple, cream cheese, mayo for tang, and Cool Whip. For sure the pumpkin pies baking in the oven here now just before lunch are smelling up the kitchen - and pecan pie to come! I'm whipping up our good mashed potatoes this day early - we'll see how they warm tomorrow right before we sit down to eat - and I've got a cheesy roasted garlic dip mellowing on the counter I made a few days ago for in a while when Kent and I wanna nosh. Oh, I do want to tackle a cooked chocolate pudding pie (link) from Smitten Kitchen that'll take no baking, just refrigeration during the night; yeah, the last food on today's list for me.

I love this day because it's mostly normal... Kent's Swiffering as I write and Laura and Mary and I went walking early today and people are working and shopping... though there's this kind of anticipation over everything. I've posted this before; folks are kind of worked up a little bit in a good way. There's Christmas shows to watch on the Hallmark Channel and my visiting teachers brought me chocolate when they came to see me yesterday, and Karen and the boys are in town and of course Laura's Mary and her family, which ramps up the visiting. Mom continues to be in high fettle about the Thanksgiving meal visiting and re-visiting the menu with me each time I visit her at the care center; and Chris even came over last night (to pick up his apartment key from me to have for the boys and Karen) and ended up enjoying leftover dinner I'd put away an hour before. So fun to set it out for him and have him just hanging around. I haven't seen him in a month of Sundays.

I love this day because it's quieter than tomorrow'll be. And I can rev up a little and still have a nap if I want!



We're having a bunch for Dinner. Are you?

Hilarious

I think I took the picture on one of the girls' phones... saw it on FB yesterday. You kill me Shana! Love you girls!!!



Aaandd... the comments:

Reminders

Saturday morning listening to the Matt Townsend show - Matt does relationship seminars all over the country -  I heard this from his guest speaker...

But first let me tell about about his guest. Stan Ellsworth is a former NFL player (heard him say this right on the radio) who rides his Harley Davidson around the country these days re-discovering American history for the show American Ride for BYU Broadcasting. A biker-historian! Matt had him on wanting an explanation for why we Americans might be feeling, well, a little down just now around Thanksgiving time. In a funk he explained to Stan. Stan explained this thing I loved. Something along the lines of...

As far back as 1492 when Columbus sailed [for America] he understood he was being led by the Holy Spirit. In his own words translated into English in Peter Marshall and David Manuel's book The Light and the Glory"

... our Lord opened to my understanding (I could sense his hand upon me), so that it became clear to me that it was feasible to navigate from here to the Indies; and he unlocked within me the determination to execute the idea.... Who doubts that this illumination was from the Holy Spirit? I attest that he [the Spirit], with marvelous rays of light, consoled me through the holy and sacred Scriptures.... encouraging me to proceed, and, continually, without ceasing for a moment, they inflame me with a sense of great urgency...

Those that followed Columbus here Ellsworth stated were spiritual folks all the days of their lives, from the conquerors in the 1500s to the Pilgrims who came a hundred years later to those who pushed west on this continent. Depending on God, pleading with him for their needs, crediting their trials and successes to him, and thanking him regularly.

Americans are now secular, a people who do not  think daily of God, stay immersed in him. As Ellsworth talked about the makings of our country and our Thanksgiving heritage I understand he's saying how now, different from long ago, Americans see Thanksgiving Day as a day off work, the meal, a long weekend, football, the day-before-shopping rather than a celebration of God in his Heaven and a "feast of fat things." Turning to the day off will not cheer us up - turning to God will.
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On Saturday afternoon I read in Wilford Woodruff, Wondrous Worker, Prophet of God this:

Dreams, visions, heavenly visitations, and spiritual promptings were not mere words or concepts to Wilford Woodruff; they were realities of almost daily occurrence. He was guided constantly by communication from the unseen world. And he sought to live each day so as to receive divine guidance in his ministry, as he sought to teach the people to use spirituality as a key to unlock the doors of their problems.

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And yesterday morning before church I read Elder Quentin L. Cook's recent Conference talk and, wow, felt impressed with this statement:

This question, “If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” rings across the centuries. With all that we have received in this dispensation - including the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the outpouring of spiritual gifts, and the indisputable blessings of heaven — [the prophet] Alma’s challenge has never been more important. It is not surprising that some in the Church believe they can’t answer Alma’s question with a resounding yes. They do not “feel so now.” They feel they are in a spiritual drought. Others are angry, hurt, or disillusioned. If these descriptions apply to you, it is important to evaluate why you cannot “feel so now.” Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.

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Ah well, three amazing impressions one right after the other to remind me how to be happy. As

 
comes this week I ESPECIALLY feel thankful for these reminders.

Marriage maintenance

Here's, erm, things I pay attention to. Surely after year-long daily posting this all ↓ goes without saying:

• My marriage.
• Parents and in-laws.
• Children and grands.
• My spirituality.
• Activity in the Church.
• Health and energy.
• And all the other stuff I'm "into" when I'm into it!

See the top? Marriage. Husband. "Mr. Somebody" (link) at our house. At the top on purpose. Haven't I indeed (with some pettiness) bemoaned silently I haven't been married 37 years? (Yes.) Haven't racked up the good years with one husband? Nooo... our marriage deflated then collapsed at the 20-year mark. Due partly (I'll say it) to me and him not paying attention all the way through. Shucks.

And so I'm in a working, partnering, almost-11-year second marriage. Twenty plus eleven is thirty-one, pretty many years collectively to say by now I do get what this feels like: I'm Married. I know it. I love it. I live it! Just came to me from Sister Dibb's fabulous General Conference talk last month, here (link).

Hence, not at all weird is it - one way I pay attention - to browse an article like below and really relate to statements in it. And want to post it and wonder if you'll agree, married or no; man or woman. There are no perfect marriages. Long-term togetherness does not make a marriage so; but long-term selflessness and attention to the other really, really helps. And, I believe, so may a marriage class.

THERE ARE NO PERFECT MARRIAGES

JOHN PHILLIPS

Q: We have been married for over 25 years and have a good marriage. My wife wants to take a marriage class but I don't think we need it. Who is right? - J. B., Evansville

A: Congratulations on your 25-plus years of marriage. I commend you both for the work you have done to maintain a good marriage over the years. You are at odds with your wife in this situation because you both are looking at it from two different perspectives. Because you have a good marriage, you feel there is no need to improve or enrich your marriage. Many couples in good marriages tend to feel this way.

However, your wife's perspective is that your good marriage could be even better. When one person in the marriage wants to pursue marriage enrichment it does not necessarily mean there is a problem. In your case, it means that your wife believes there is room for growth in your marriage relationship.

It is normal for a woman to be more in tune to the marriage relationship. In general women are more social. They are nurturers and caretakers, tending to be the ones to coordinate the calendar or call or send a card when someone is ill. Your wife's desire to attend a marriage class is an indication that she is caring for your relationship and wants the best for the two of you.

Take a moment to think about why you are hesitant to attend a marriage class. Is it because you fear it will change your relationship? Is it too much of a time commitment? Are you concerned others will think your marriage is in trouble?

There is a misconception in our culture that couples in a good marriage have no need for a marriage class. Truth is, while your marriage may be good, it's not perfect because there are no perfect people. Every marriage could use a boost from time to time, and it's important to make your marriage a priority. We take the time to bring our cars in for tuneups. We get an annual physical. We go to the dentist on a regular basis. We do these things to maintain and prevent future problems. If we take the time to care for our health and our belongings, wouldn't it be wise to spend time caring for our marriage? A marriage class is a great way to do this. It is time well spent and it's good positive marriage maintenance.

Having been married for more than 25 years, you know that selflessness and compromise are important in marriage. We all tend to have a selfish nature at times. Within marriage, it's important to put this selfish nature aside to serve and please our spouse. Agreeing to the marriage class would not only please your wife, but it would enhance your marriage and draw the two of you closer together.

It's a great feeling to be happy and content in your marriage; however I would encourage you to consider your wife's request.

John Phillips is executive director of Community Marriage Builders. CMB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and equipping the community for lifetime marriages

Banana Bread Waffles

Happy Birthday, Sandra!!!


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Mmm, I have a loaf of banana bread in the oven baking theoretically only, since it's a day later you're reading this and the baked loaf is now at Laura's for Annie Hale's wedding shower and a little banana bread batter in smaller loaf pan that I just snatched out of the oven after one minute because... !!! ....

Well, here's the first part: I love my mother's friend Sister Poole's banana bread recipe and make it when I'm in possession of black bananas, which never happens at our house because Kent eats ours way before they can even get freckly brownish, but does happen sometimes after I've been at mom and dad's 'cause dad brings them to the apartment from breakfast or the Cafe downstairs and is so-so about enjoying them. After cleaning their kitchen counter top and sink I heard dad say those bananas need a place to go. 'Th'out missing a beat I picked up the bunch of three and lay them in my purse. DON'T EWWW me! They were safe, and so was my purse, though it was redolent of banana when I got home.

Dad bought this for mom and Sarah helped her put it together last year.
Laura said yes when I texted her could you use banana bread ↑ at the brunch  Saturday today? So  I hunted for mom's cookbook with recipes in her own handwriting which I love to linger over, and this recipe (above) in particular. The last time I used it (well, the first) I learned a thing about quick breads: They need to cook at a med-high temperature a little while, medium a while longer, and low a little while to be crusty and tenderly good on the inside. An hour at 350 degrees is too hot for too long - usually breads are in there just scorching away, rendering the outside of the bread a brick while the inside is puddly. Who knew?

Sister Poole. Then mom. Now me.

And I mixed up the most delicate, already-puffing-up-because-of-the-baking-powder delicious banana bread batter! All the ingredients lumped in the bowl together and give it a stir, which gives the loaf (after it's cooked) a smidge of raw banana in spots, mm, though I did beat it well with the stand mixer. Still...

And scooped out the right amount for the large loaf pan and had some left over in the bowl, which I scraped out with a spatula and ate; did not! put into a greased smaller pan I love for mini-loaves. Then, voilà, this thing I've been thinking off and on for awhile:

What if I baked something other than waffle batter in my waffle iron!

Ahh, today was the very day. (Yesterday.)

I'd put the loaf pans side by side in the oven but snatched out the little one and spooned some of the batter onto my hot waffle iron and shut the lid and shut my eyes and prayed a little prayer (wishful thinking) over my experiment.

Well heck, yah! ↓ Really?

I warmed my maple syrup (go online to find all kinds of yummy toppings)



and tucked in. Oops, here's all that's left before I thought to take a picture.



You know there really is such a thing as Banana Bread Waffles. I Googled and found recipes on a dozen blogs. But I came back here and've decided to use my mom's friend's trusty one whenever I make these (once in a while when I get black bananas in my purse),



even though there's now a pinhole in my balloon. Nuts, I didn't invent them.

Sweet time

Reindeer peanut butter cookies. They're kind of wizened, eh?! Not pretty but SUPER good. Yes I did coat the pretzels with chocolate my little old self... made the peanut butter cookie dough early in the morning yesterday and rolled it up and put it in the fridge; I chocolate-coated the pretzels and bought the M&M's, but darn, forgot to get a package with brown ones in it for the eyes, so these reindeers've got green ones. Here's is our second (and best) batch. Really, kind of wrinkled.



The kids ate cookies yesterday afternoon before and after dinner! We all did. You know what's especially good? The crunch of those salty pretzels up against the sweet of chocolate and peanut butter goodness! Mmm.

Wander-land

I went yesterday to All Tucked In, a store on Main Street in Bountiful I've thought about peeking into many times, but never have. Sandra got me a gift certificate there for my birthday - oh my, seven months ago - and I've purposely waited til the holidays to shop.

When I could wander like a child midst the homey sounds and smells of the holidays.

I wasn't disappointed!

Look what I got. With a pom-pom nose!

↓

And this.



One of the MOST deeply satisfying things about my time in this little wander-land was seeing it through Sandra's eyes. I first and lastingly gazed at beautiful scarves and jackets, felt and wool and patchwork brushed cottons and silk... one-of-a-kind and winter-ly wonderful. These, in my eyes, for my beautiful amazing friend! Then I pressed my fingers against the spines of books and opened several, inhaling the new paper and print and fresh illustrations. I reached for fall decorations, pulling a pumpkin big as a basketball from a vignette, plush patchworked microfiber with a stout stick for a stem; and smiled as I set it back. I handled a Christmas Nativity for children, a kind of "quiet book," 3-D, really the stable and manger with a velcro door and softest people and animals that belong inside (so a "quiet toy"), and considered the little hands of my grandchildren arranging these on the living room carpet or beside me maybe in Sacrament Meeting one day... and my fingers moved to touch a breathtaking, natural, collection, simply Mary, Joseph, Baby and lambs. Was it felted wool or chenille this centerpiece is crafted from? And wood and extraordinary expressions... Oh my, it pulled on every heart string in me connected to mothering, the Christ, Christmas, sewing and crafting (wielding that needle and thread and cloth), miniatures, heathery textures - years of remembrances. Sandra would LOVE these all like I do!

I found exactly what I wanted for Christmas my birthday in the end. My snowman tree ornament and then, hanging behind shawls and scarves on a peg, my Rudolf apron. Really? you say. A reindeer with a pom-pom nose? Okay, okay, Yes! He's so my style! Round and delicious just like these guys (link)



I, oops, didn't make last year - and on an apron already! (My fav!) And in time to wear while I bake while I listen to Christmas jazz.

A Merry Little Christmas Now

Listened to a little Christmas jazz on Pandora last night. I had it on the computer as Kent got home from the temple after dark... it was sooo nice. Just lightly Christmas and mostly, well, acoustic piano or guitar or saxy goodness.

Always

Second snowstorm

The first snowstorm of the winter well fall rolled in the morning of dad's birthday on top of Kent and I trying to roll out of here for Parker. The second blew in Friday with high winds the day before



that whipped the leaves off the sugar maples



and began to lay down pretty snow.



The Bradford Pears held on.



It snowed all day Friday and overnight and steadily through Saturday.



Until Saturday evening it snowed, then it broke. I couldn't resist this fabulous CLEAR! I was pretty much always at the window looking out. Love our view.



(Kent and I stalked the chuckars that've hidden under our house. We tread as softly toward the windows at the back of the house as we could but they must feel the vibrations of the floorboards above them for they scattered, half flying, half hopping onto the rocks.)



Stayed clear til dark,



then back to snow on snow on snow by Sunday morning and through the early afternoon.



Finally last night blue skies before dusk, and wow - look at the hills!



Always in my neighborhood the construction, sorry. Trucks, utility boxes and For Sale signs. Eh... and I should've taken every one of these pictures to Photoshop to lighten them up before posting, whiten them I guess... but really, the days've been pretty dark. This light is wondrous!