Some of you might remember that last year, I participated in a project called 366 Photos in 2008. The aim was to make 366 photos during the (leap) year, each of which was to satisfy a given theme. I loved a lot about the challenge and it introduced me to blogging. But, taking part had some negative aspects, too, and I gave up in September. Last month, some members of a forum I frequent inquired about starting the challenge anew in 2009. Since they needed a new theme list, I volunteered to create one and as a result of their tremendous enthusiasm, decided to do the challenge too. That’s my way of explaining how my posts here became so sparse over the last month – I was making up 365 photographable themes for the new challenge as well as guiding a group of 39 mostly new bloggers through the process of making blogs.

I’m looking forward to the new year and lots of challenge, both here on Borrowing the Light and on 365 Photos in 2009. Here is the first image from my 365 Photos in 2009 blog, satisfying the theme “Musically Inclined”. Just for fun, check out the themes and the guidelines, and if you know anyone who would like to participate, let them know – it’s not too late to get started…

This is my 89-year-old mother-in-law giving James a piano lesson. Playing the piano has been a significant factor in helping her recover emotionally from the effects of a series of falls and illnesses over the last 2 years. The power of music is amazing…

In keeping with James’s interest in things ancient is an obsession with the sport of fencing. Here is a sample of images from tonight’s lesson.