somewhere in the contrast

morning breaks, the sun shines again in the cool fresh air,

alighting on the branches of the cedar hedge as if the warm glow was coming from within, instead of from out and above

the black squirrel lay silently still, dead on the ground, in the soft green grass, once scurrying to it’s destination, now arriving at the end

so beautiful, so sad, so bright, so harsh

fleeting emotions flush across my psyche, so wonderful, so sad, so hopeful, so final

why do we always have to live in such a state, happy, radiant, ecstatic, intense, worried, angry,

like a dance, a dance to a music that is audible only to oneself, but visible to those brave enough to observe a long period to see through the curtains on the stage of my heart, in that moment they might part to see truly inside

the moment the internal dancer pauses the performance, stops fighting the script, and allows the joy, the sorrow, the pain, the passion to embrace, to complete, to set a new stage to feel deeper, to experience more to accompany the reality of the contrast of life,

high highs, lowest depths of despair, without the contrast where lies the joy

Joy comes in the mourning!

Beautiful but you dare not touch! somewhere in the contrast!

Surprised!!!

Only pic I got because my glasses fogged!

-21°C with a -31 wind chill, who in their right mind goes out in this weather!

I bundled myself up, layer by layer. Thinking with every item I put on there must be an easier way, space material or something. Maybe I could test out extreme winter clothing, find a sponsor, to 0pgive me motivation? But for the moment layer by layer I continued.

As I am sure I have told you before; I am Canadian (that’s what my mom told me anyway), but I hate the cold! Which is why there is always a little doubt about my nationality lol.

I could have asked someone to drive me down to the corner, or Doug probably would have drove my van up and I could have returned him. No I need to move my body. My life depends on it!

Out the door I went, pausing to snap a photo, saying a tiny prayer that I would not get frost bite on my cheeks.

I could hear the wind through the pines. It was loud enough to leave me questioning whether it really was wind or a vehicle, it sounds so similar to a car. A quick glance back assured me of my safety. On I trod.

Sharon’s wind chimes clanged loudly as the wind tried to intimidate me with it’s fierceness. When I got around the corner into the sun I was immediately thankful the wind was to my back. The threats were empty, my layers prevailed. The sun beat onto my face and black coat, I was actually hot!

I could not see through my fogged up glasses to enjoy the sights or snap a photo. The joy of the heat of the sun warming from the outside in, while the wind was stopped by the layers upon layers of clothing is my reward today.

That and the fact I have one more kilometer under my belt. A kilometer closer to my fitness/health goal. A kilometer closer to ‘living my best life’. And hey my foot is not bothering me too much today.

The van is fixed. I will have to find a new motivator to thrust me outside into the cold clean air. For now I will sip my tea, and dream of sunny, warm, spring days.

-3°C & My Van Parts Were In

Twice in one week the van is visiting the neighbour’s, giving me opportunity to exercise and enjoy the sky and the way the fresh fallen snow clung to the branches.

The warmer winter temperatures were a pleasant treat. How I wish the warm weather would last.

We happened to meet other neighbors along the way home. Happy to catch up and see them doing so well.

The heavens seemed to be dancing with the steeple of the church. Unfortunately the speed of my walk on the unaccomidating footing and the power lines stole my best shots.

Loved having Maggy to watch out for traffic as her crazy momma tried to find the angle for the best shot.

I wonder what the route will have in store for me tomorrow, when I make my way back down to retrieve my van. I am actually looking forward to the simple adventure, and dreaming of other adventures to follow.

St Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran
Looking to the light

Cold but beautiful

The day after the first big snow storm of the winter. It is very cold, but beautifully bright.

I had to drop my van at the neighbour’s to get some work done on it. I took the chance to get my exercise on the way home.

It is only about a kilometer but in the open areas the wind was bitter on my face, and my blue jeans offered little protection from the freezing temperatures.

I paused to capture some interesting shadows, and shapes that intriqued me, no conscious reason why.

Home by the fire, sipping hot tea. Happy to have filled my lungs with the clean crisp air, happier to absorb the heat back into my bones. Life is good!

After the rain

Storms are moving through today.

It is cool and nice outside.

Although I had planned on working an hour in the garden this morning, the thunder and rain sent me back inside.

During a loll in the storm front, I found some time to quietly stroll around.

More, no differently beautiful than yesterday.

A beautiful display, delighting the eye, and calming the soul.

Please enjoy my garden.

I missed the shot!!!

I was thoroughly enjoying touring my mother-in-law’s garden with her. She was describing different flowers and what changes she wanted to make, which plants we could come and get some of for our gardens. It was relaxing and pleasant and beautiful.

But we were not alone. Cory was hiding here and there among the plants, never far from us as we wandered around. Was she attempting stealth, or was she trying to capture our attention because “cats are the only important thing in the world, more importantly Cory is”.

We came back around almost to where we had started, and up Cory went into the tree over my head. Silly kitty!

I took some fun shots of her posed on the branch above me, hoping that I wouldn’t wear her on my head. Then I went on about enjoying the pretty flowers.

As I turned away it happened…there was first a noise…I turned…I looked…Cory was dangling from the tree by a single paw!

“CATCH HER” Screamed in my head! “QUICK GET A PICTURE” Came from my mom- in- law! It all happened so fast, no time to react!

I fumbled with my phone, but Cory was safely on the ground, walking away as if nothing happened.

I missed the shot.