Grays of Winter

Now that I live in the mid-west, winter means no more sun for a few months. We do see it periodically but the gray of winter really settles in for the season. But even with the grayness, there is still beauty if you know how to look. Nature still holds the key to the beauty of creation – even in the gray of winter. Sunsets seem to be the most colorful…when you see it.

But when the snow starts to fall you see a purity that covers even the ugliest ground reminding you that even in the grayest season, beauty can still be found.

Aside for the beauty you see in the trees, small collections of snow are just as pretty, even on weeds.

So regardless of grayness or sun, winter can still be beautiful. You just have to look a different way. And sometimes in the still of night, the beauty is amazing, especially reflecting off of the snow.

So, look at the gray of winter as another way of seeing the beauty of creation taking in another side of gray. And remember whichever season you are in you can always find beauty and kindness. Share the kindness and watch the beauty grow.

A Colorful B&W

While this is not a true b&w, it is mostly white…snow white. The picture really does not capture the beauty of the snow, our first for the year. I am not really a fan of the snow but I do enjoy it beauty when I don’t have to get out in it.

I thought this shot interesting showing the contrast of my bright blue gate (yes I made it myself. No respecting contractor would do that. But my contractor was horrible so…there you go.)

Evergreens always show the beauty of the snow as it clings to it branches. The shot of the street below is the most beautiful of my shots this morning.

Well, its November in the Midwest, so I guess its time. It will melt next week as temps will climb into the 40s. But the snow today will continue to fall spreading a blanket of visual purity on a less pure world. Remember in all that you do, to be kind. It is a form of love that helps us all heal.

30-50-30

No, that is not a fertilizer combination…its the temperature combinations of a February roller coaster in Iowa. Last night we dropped below freezing…with rain equaling – freezing rain and ice. Now we are waiting the 2 inches of snow due to start by 12:00pm…oh, it is 12:00 pm. Yep, a quick look out the window and its snowing. Yeah…not really. So what do we do with weather like this? Easy…we eat!!

I was late getting started but I finally bought an air fryer. And its awesome. I rotissered( I know that is not a real word…but you get it) a whole chicken in 62 minutes and it was yummy. So today, I pulled the remaining meat off the bones and made chicken salad. Yum!!

Then I took the carcass and put it in a big ole soup pot to make homemade chicken broth soup for supper – letting it cook real slow all day – more yum!

So what do you do on poor climate days? I eat!!! LOL.

Have a great day and remember to be kind. Regardless of what the weather is doing, you can always be kind.

First Snow Fun

Its always fun on the first snowfall to go out and play. Daisy thought it a great idea to run crazy fast circles in the 3-4 inch frozen white.

Snow hides the dead of fall making everything pure and white. I am okay with it until it lasts for days…..

The birds don’t seem to mind as long as food is readily available. Evidently its lunch time.

The bummer is that even with this small amount of snow, it has covered the receiver of the satellite dish, so no TV. Glad the cable is underground, at least I can play here. Welcome winter, don’t be mean and don’t stay too long. And please be kind to those of us who are not big winter fans.

Well, It is February…

Yes, as we hunker down for the 3rd winter storm in two weeks here in the midwest, with well over two accumalative feet of snow already, I am ever thankful I am not in the northeast. The second storm that hit us with 8 inches of snow dumped 3 feet on them.

But I am blessed with a warm house, plenty of food and a nice view of amazing trees, none of which are on my property. Another blessing during the fall. This year I am more taken by the beauty of these naked trees with their innate understanding as they twist their limbs to reach for the sun, their life force in the sky.

The hardwoods are the most amazing as their branches will bend down and then twist up to reach the light as the sun peeks through the leaves absorbing its love. It reminds me of a praying man raising his hand toward to his life source. But there is something majestic about the ever greens as well, as they created a sort of triangle, again pointing to the heavens to it’s life source.

Trees are a reminder to us all showing where the life forces come from for all of creation.

And if we can ever really grasp that concept, then we will begin to understand the beauty of all creation as was meant to be shared and enjoyed. From the largest mountain to the tiniest snowflake. So as we enjoy all there is to see, remember the kindness that begs to come out of creation’s beauty and share that kindness to its most beautiful potential.

Tuesday Writing Prompt, If I Never…

If I Never…

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If I never explored the garden, of it’s love and beauty that be

I would miss yellows and purples or other colors to see

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If I never felt the raindrops, as it gathered on leaves around

I would never hear the beauty in its quiet, gentle sound

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If I never saw the sunset and it breathed after the storm

I would never see the beauty in the clouds as they form

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If I never saw the snowfall as to clung to trees above

I would never hear its quietness like the cooing of a dove

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If I never loved another how profoundly sad to be

For missing all those gifts from God that He would give to me.

Anita Neal

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.

Today’s prompt: Write a poem using the phrase “if we never”

Come join in and as always, remember to be kind, it shows you true heart regardless of who, or what you are kind to. Let your kindness ripples be released into the world.

kind ripples

Tuesday Writing Prompt

Moon forest

Behind Moore’s Hill

The mystic moonlight behind Moore’s Hill, can infuse you with fear and leave you a chill. Its light will woo you deep into the forest, where you hide behind the trees to find no rest. The eerie breeze moves and slips through your hair, as it chills your soul with the cold night air. The light reflects brightly on the new fallen snow as you search frantically on which way to go. Far in the distance a light seems to glow, it is for real or a reflection in the snow. I have traveled so far, how far can I go? There is no way of knowing for it is onward I go.

Come join in on Go Dog Go Cafe Tuesday Writing prompt. Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.
The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.

And as I always remind you, sometimes in this seemingly cold hopeless world, if we show kindness a great thaw will occur. Try to always be kind.

Kind snow

Spring is Finally here…Nope Just Kidding

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Twas the night before tax day, here in the US

Everyone hunkered down, for the fear of virus

Our doors were brightly covered in unity of red

In hope that the virus would soon be dead

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The people were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of hugging danced through their heads

I rose from my bed for more movies of old

Must take the dogs first, get me jacket, its cold

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I open my door and what do I see

But three inches of snow on the ground just for me.

I run back inside for proper clothes for snow

For the craziness of lock-down had taken its toll

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With silliness and laughter I roll in the snow

The dogs looked on…do I to stay or do I go

After a brief moment they piled in too

As tensions was released with a loud yahoo.

Anita Neal

I was expecting flurries last night, not inches so I was surprised to see what we had. Last week’s temps were in the 70s. Old man winter’s one last hurrah I guess. Ground was too warm to be an issue there so that was good for the heroes that needed to get out. I pray you are all safe and snug in your homes as we wait out this crisis that has covered the entire world. I could think of a lot better ways for us to connect with one another than a pandemic. Be safe everyone and remember now more than ever – be kind.

Choose being kind and you will always be right. | Inspiring quotes ...

Beauty In Life, SMM

Irene of Heaven’s Sunshine has a Monday post of macro photography, and while I only have my cell phone, it does a pretty decent job. Since my state is “shelter in place” we are not out and about but after the spring snow from last night, about 2 inches, I just had to walk around the block. It was early and no one much was out but the distinct sound of the wood peckers tat-tat-tat could be heard as it echoed through the quiet morning. The first couple of pictures follow the “macro” theme but I am also including the beauty I saw this morning of the naked trees draped in the graceful beauty of white as they stretch their limbs toward heaven, something we need to do as well in this time of challenge and sadness. May you all be safe during this time.

Hope you enjoy a few of the 40+ pictures I took from this best kind of snow – beauty with clear streets – not that I am going anywhere…

Hill up 36th

And as always, remember the beauty of life, even in dark times. There is always a silver lining even though it may be too small to see – it can be felt.

Isaiah encouragement

Sunshine’s Monday Macro

I am fully aware that it is Tuesday but I worked yesterday and then last night was the championship game for college football so that was a focus. Good game played by both sides, unfortunately, someone always has to lose.

So I have not posted on Heaven’s Sunshine SMM in a while because there are no flowers and that us what I love to get close to. As I was heading to work yesterday I saw these tiny paw prints in the snow. They may be canine or possibly feline, regardless too cold to be out lose.

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I praying its not the high pitched puppy I periodically hear crying. My ideas of how to care for a pet are totally different than some of my neighbors. My “protectors” are my 4 legged children and not to be left out in the cold.

IMG_20200113_210246 — Monsters in the form of teenage boys – definite creatures to be wary of. LOL.

As we are getting full into winter I pray you all stay warm and healthy, as well as your pets, and remember to always be kind to all kinds.

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