Beautiful but Treacherous

The main difference in yesterday and today is that today we are getting fresh snow on top of the ice---and the winds are 15 to 25 mph---we have been blessed with our power not going off the last two days but today may be a different story with the winds ripping through here. 

Spring Fever

aand then the clouds and wind came.

One More Day

     and we will be closing the chapter titled January 2015.  We have had all kinds of weather---from bone-chilling, wet cold to sunny, warmer than normal(?) days.  The woodstove is always warm and welcoming, whatever the weather, when one is in January. 
     We have all recovered from the crud that we dealt with for what seemed like an inordinately long time.  We were so happy to usher it back out the door...
     My beloved has been struggling since last October with doctors; seems once that particular ball gets to rolling, it's like a never-ending ball of yarn that was dropped.  You hardly have one appt out of the way, only to glance at the calendar and see that there is another one looming.  The doctors are having a hard time reaching a conclusive diagnosis on him, but whatever it is that is attacking his body, it didn't just start last October.  Diseases such as polymyalgia rheumatica, Giant Cell Arteritis, and even more scary, the rare disorder called Wegener's Disease, are being discussed.  They readily admit that they don't know what causes these diseases, and there is no real cure for them either.  They are treating him with a large dose of prednisone right now, while discussing some drugs that are used for cancer patients.  It is just one day at a time, which is all that any of us has anyway, right?
     The birds have been and are such delightful January entertainment.  They definitely brighten up my days.  They beckon me out and away from the woodstove.  :)  I'm trying to get in the habit of taking a walk most days, and spending time outside in the midst of nature.  My resolve weakens, though, when weather-talk is of the 'teens' and 'wind chills' and I see the tall grass seedheads waving in the wind.  My sister tells me to put layers of clothes on top of layers of clothes, lol, and that I must go shopping for a balaclava to keep my face warm.  And speaking of weather, we have had sleet this morning, and now the clouds are racing across Bluebird-blue skies.  I'm headed outside.  :)

Under the Weather

We have been sick for the last couple of weeks.  Have been huddled by the woodstove, shuffling in and out to feed the fire, stir up a pot of soup, feed the little fur beasties, curl back up in the recliner...The weather has been so very cold and gray and has not been the least bit enticing ---until today.  It is a gorgeous sunny day, a balmy 30 degrees even, although with some wind.  I would be tempted to go for a run, alas, I'm not a runner :) and tho I am feeling better today, I'm not sure I'm up to battling the wind.  So I think I will finish out this week in the recliner---and hope that next week is more conducive to 'moving about'.  Everyone stay warm and safe.  The days truly are getting a bit longer each day.

I missed a few days of Solstice greetings, but On the Twelfth Day...

"Beneath the snow and cold earth of Winter Solstice hides much, but a clear night allows the bright moonlight to shine down and illuminate everything... It symbolizes nakedness of spirit. On this first day of the new year, let's allow our authentic self to be seen and our naked truth to be revealed without fear or shame. We are beautiful. We are wise. We are luminous. Let's see ourselves clearly and shine our light!
Together, let's continue to honor The 13 Days of Solstice.
"On the twelfth day of Solstice the Goddess gave to me a moonlight revealing, delightful flowing essence, this world of magick, a unique journey, quiet contemplation, countless days of learning, time for the sacred, my hearts desire, a needed cleanse, a peaceful rest, the gift of soul, and some healing to set me free."

May the Solstice and the turning of the wheel bring you love, peace and good fortune today and always."
―The Gypsy Priestess

January 1, 2015

"January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
striding a shadowy steed of snow."
- Edgar Fawcett

  May this new year bring you healing, laughter, love, abundance, and joy and may you be a conduit for all this to all around you. May you honor Mother Earth and may you bring healing and love wherever you go.  (copied from Shaman Tube)

Year's End

As December AND 2014 draw to a close, I sit and wonder 'where did this year go'.   The month of December seems to have been one gray day followed by another gray day.  I can't remember a December that was so filled with varying shades of gray---no snow, not frigid cold, and very little sun to warm house OR bones.  Just varying shades of gray to color the majority of these December days, brightened by the flash of a Cardinal or a Blue Jay or the sweet little Towhees that have dined here during December.

It boggles the mind at how each month flew by so fast that the whole year seems to be a bit blurred.  I know there were momentous occasions throughout the year---some of them seem so distant that they could have happened years ago.

But the days are getting incrementally longer, and Mother Nature continues with her cycles.  All is well as we close the book of 2014.

Happy Boxing Day and Winter Solstice Day 4

May you awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.
- John O'Donohue
http://www.marinaterauds.com/

Merry Christmas

Maya Angelou

Over the hours of this day of celebration, we share with you our matriarch's poem, Amazing Peace. The Angelou Johnson Family.
“Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
By Dr. Maya Angelou

...Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.
Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

Merry Magical Christmas (and Winter Solstice)

From our house to yours, wishes for a beautiful Christmas.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,
that it kisses them so gently?
And then it covers them up snug,
you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says
"Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”~Lewis Carroll...

Christmas Gifts (Winter Solstice Day 2)

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
☃ To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
☃ To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.~☃~Oren Arnold
Artist~Catherine Simpson

Winter Solstice Day 1 (of 13)

 

 

Carla Goddard, Shamanic Medicine Woman

Liked · 22 hrs ·

 

Cold and dark, this time of year,
the earth lies dormant, awaiting the return
of the sun, and with it, life.
Far beneath the frozen surface,
a heartbeat waits,
until the moment is right,
to spring.
Unknown

Happy Solstice to All