I’m determined in 2013 to tune in more to what my sons are listening to and watching than worrying about how many folks have LIKED the Bayou Woman page on Facebook, as though those LIKES equal dollars in the bank. I am determined to lean more on the Giver of all Gifts for the wisdom to know how to best care for the Gifts I’ve been given–to know which ones are worth keeping, which ones can be re-gifted, and which ones are not even worthy of the scrap pile.

Reader Paulette returned to her home bayou and emailed me this photo of her better half in a duck blind down here somewhere around Bayou Dularge. It’s a beautiful early-morning photo, taken from her I-phone, and I wanted to share it with you.

After five years of writing this blog, I think we’ve formed some friendships and kinships here. For that, I am most grateful on this day. There are, of course, many other things for which I am thankful, as I know are each of you. If there is one thing that stands out to you as 2012 comes to a close, please share that with us in the comments section below. And because Christmas is rapidly approaching, I am going to give away a photo. All you have to do is comment, and there will be a drawing later.