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…

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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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Beauty Of Photographs

Every once in a while a photograph will come a cross the bloggosphere (I am sure that is not a real word, but you know what I mean) that so inspires me that I put pen to paper and write about it. Today’s photo came from stefansphotos.se and since we are now legally in winter I felt it was good time for some winter fun…with words. Thank you Stefan for your beautiful photos. Check out his photographs at the link above.

Winter Forest

Winternight Stephan

Deep in the forest where the light seldom shines

Beneath the tall branches of the evergreen pine

There lives such a creature, one hardly ever seen

Here the cold moonlight makes his bright eyes sheen.

The snow reflects the light of the full moon above

Shining through the night like a white mourning dove.

The winter moss is green and soft at forest floor below

As he moves along paths where no one will ever know

What lurks in those dark shadows beyond those next trees

Nothing more than old man winter playing in the night freeze

– Anita Neal-

As you find yourself in the coldness of winter, remember it is easy to warm it up by being kind. Kindness can be like a blanket to wrap you up warm and snug, so let kindness come from you to cover someone like fresh new snow.

Kind snow

The Best Kind of Snow, JusJojan, #SoCS

It is January which means it’s winter in the northern hemisphere which means in some areas the “S” word has arrived. We try not to say that word much here in hopes it stays away. Yea, that didn’t work for Halloween this year with 4 inches and low 20 temperatures. But I have for a picture of today’s snow, the best kind of snow – Snowed all night but due to the warmth of December, the roads were still warm and therefore the roads are still clear. So the trees were beautifully covered. The sky cleared a short while before turning back to winter gray and I was able to grab this picture.

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It is amazing to me how hard wood tree twist and turn their limbs for their leaves to get the best sunshine. Even nature knows what is best for it and it tries to get there. We humans sometimes over think things and go way in the wrong direction.

As we push into this new year guiding ourselves in the direction we think is best, let us take a cue from nature and find the best direction.

And as we search for that direction, think of the beauty of fresh fallen snow, its purity and beauty and remember to cover everything with kindness.

Kind snow

A Photo a Week Challenge: Opposites

Nancy has challenged us with showing opposites. I agree that this is not my favorite tine of year and want to remember the fun warmer times of year.

A relaxing afternoon at Vander Veer Botanical Park. Guess the plants need sleep so they can show us beauty in a few months. As you remember the warmth and the beauty of spring and summer, remember that kindness brings its own warm. So spread the warmth of kindness and watch the flowers grow.

kindness warm

Footprints in the Snow, SMM

Irene of Heaven’s Sunshine has a fun Monday post of macros which usually in my mind goes to tiny flowers and insects. Today with 3 inches of snow on the ground, I was not going to find that but I did see these on the steps going down to the garage.

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To me they stated, “We know it snowed but we are still here.” Nature has a marvelous way of survival even in hard natural disasters, which of course this is not.

But we can learn from nature in more ways than this. We are stronger and more resilient that we realize. And as the quote says that I have seen several times… “Sometimes God calms the storms and sometimes he calms us and lets the storm rage.”

So stand strong and be kind. You may just be the hope someone else is looking for and together your are even stronger that alone.

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