52/365 Lion's Ball

Branches dance wildly

Through the night moving to the

Wind’s agitato.

51/365 Morning Song

A raucous jay screams

Outside my window rousting

Both sun and sleeper.



50/365 Icy Morn

Ice on the wind chills

Breath and bones, bites deep,

Drains joy from the day.



49/365 Bald Eagle

Broad wings stroke the air

Lifting the eagle into

Flight, soaring with ease.



48/365 Snow Squall

 

Snowflakes simply spill

From a milky sky.  Ground, sky,

Air, meld in soft white.



47/365 North Wind

Stark against grey skies

Tall trees sway, bowing to the

Capricious north wind.



46/365 Morning Song

Trilling cardinal in

classic treetop pose brightens

a bleak winter morn.



45/365 Midnight

Mirrored in the night

Sky - radiant with borrowed  

Light - the fresh snow falls.



44/365 Morning Snow

Lazy flakes dally,

Obscuring the sky, blurring

The grey shapes below.



43/365

Patchwork patterns of

Melting snow shift under the

Mid-day sun’s warm touch.



Serendipity

It was a good weekend for our seemingly
never-ending list of projects.
Can't wait to show you the finished kitchen
and you should see what Tim started yesterday!!
Part of the problem - for me- are
those things which come up that aren't even on the list.

 

My serger - out for repairs since early January -

 finally came back on Friday.

Yippee!!

Yikes!!

 I suddenly realized just how many

piles had taken root in my sewing room.
I would need to clean before it could even go back in its spot!!

 

 I cleaned that room yesterday.
Made a curtain for the kitchen, too.
Did some other sewing that had been
waiting for the serger's return.
Felt good.

 

There were also plans to frame a couple trail maps

for Tim's office area which lead to a hunt

for spare picture frames

which lead to

the one box that was never unpacked after our move.

google images

 

I unpacked it yesterday.

 

The box was labeled "music boxes."

I had a vague idea of what else might be in there

but wasn't prepared to find:

 

Mercury glass Christmas ornaments!

I thought they'd been left in Nebraska!!

 

A piece of McCoy!

I'd forgotten it existed!!

 

A handful of wonderful surprises!!

 

Several items that have gone directly
to the yard sale box.

 Done without them for over a year!!

How fun!!  I'm looking forward to finding
just the right spots for all these
unexpected treasures!!

I'll add it to my list of projects...

 

 

42/365 Dusk

Argent moon climbs high

In the east as lavender

Sunset claims the west.



41/365 Lone Tree

A gnarled giant

Stands, marking time and place for

 Long generations.

 

 

I went up to Fort Dodge today and

 - as is fairly typical of a drive through the rural mid west -

came across a stunningly beautiful example

 of the lone tree standing at the edge of a field.

 

Those trees always intrigue me.

 

 

 

 



40/365 Aftermath

Fresh snow sparkles in

The pallid mid-day sun while

Frosted tree limbs droop.



39/365 Conversation

Treasured voices, bright

Against the gathering storm,

Reassure the heart.



38/365 Before the Storm

Cold, steely wind cuts

Deep as the pale sun looks on

Offering no help.



37/365 Waves in the Night

Like surf-tossed pebbles

Distant memories tumble,

Borne on midnight winds.



36/365 Warm kisses

Thick frost glistens in

The shadows, melting when kissed

By the rising sun.



35/365 Morning Calls

Twittering birds greet

The morning sun, calling

To hasten its rise.



34/365 Shadow Play

Trees dancing in the

Morning sun cast delicate

Shadows on my wall.



33/365 Taken by Surprise

Stinging winds, sharp with

Icy spray, rob the promise

Of warmth from the day.

A new favorite

February is almost over.

The check-out period at our library is three weeks

so we have been saying March this or that for

several days already and

it makes the time go so fast!!

 

The last two weeks were fun as

I indulged in my traditional

valentine saturation for Tim.

  He was on the look-out for a particular

stunt that has become a standard, I was able

to mix in a few new ideas and

we both had a few laughs along the way

which is always good.

 

This is what I found last night when I returned from work:

 

 

Aren't they lovely? Thanks, Tim!

Happy Valentine's Day

32/365 Night Sky

Glitter-strewn velvet

Encases the night softly

Whispering, “Now sleep.”



31/365 Bald Eagle

Riding on warm winds

High above receding ice -

  Majesty in flight.

 

On my way home yesterday I crossed the bridge over the Saylorville Reservoir.  At roughly eye-level, right beside the bridge, I saw a bald eagle and thought of my father-in-law.  John used to talk with a particular note of awe in his voice of the eagles that gathered down here.  He enjoyed spotting them and always hoped that we (anyone, really) would have the same opportunity.  Whether for that reason, or others, it is always an intense pleasure to spot one on the fly. This was the first I've seen since we moved back last year.

 

 



30/365 Morning sun

Sunlight streams through snow-

encrusted trees glittering

as icy winds blow.



Snow delay

I should be writing this from home -

 actually I should be home doing my nails

but the weather intervened and I

won't leave until tomorrow morning.

The snow was wet and heavy - 

really rather lovely.

 

 

Aidan and I shoveled the driveway and spent the day

doing a puzzle and playing Dread Pirates.

The dogs slept nicely underfoot until

 someone had the misfortune to

clink their spoon

rustle a paper

say "okay" or

"good boy"

"let's go"

etc.

The

ensuing chaos

would set us both to

laughing.  Then we'd spend the

next ten minutes getting everyone settled again.

I love listening to Aidan spell words so the dogs won't catch on!

It was a happy day.

 

 Tomorrow Charlie and I will head home.

Also a happy day.



29/365 Sleep

Blessed sleep enfolds

me granting respite - labors

cease, thoughts slow, time stills.



28/365 Snowfall

Thick whispering flakes

Cling to tangled vines.  Evening 

 Deepens with the snow.   



27/365 The Pines

Stately sentinels

Offer shelter in graceful

Boughs unmoved by wind.



26/365 Puddles

Shallow ripples mark

The surface as melting snow  

Runs before the wind.

Road Trip!!

 

 

This one will be just Charlie and me

heading to the Northlands.

 

 

So it makes a busy night.

There's always a last load of laundry.

Run the dishwasher

pack me

pack Charlie

pack audiobooks

pack gifts

pack winter gear

etcetcetc.



 

Friday night is Aidan's Chinese New Year program

followed by a dinner of

- what else? -

Chinese cuisine at a local eatery.

 

I've been told that Saturday will feature

frozen waffles

a Monopoly marathon

and a trip to the thrift store.

 

Sunday

we'll be looking at a couple houses.

(Keep your fingers crossed)

 

The day will be capped by a visit to Margo's house.

She and Naphtali have a presentation

for the "docs"

on their trip to Haiti.

Naphtali has only dribbled a few details

 so I'm excited to see and hear more of the story.

 

Monday will find me homeward bound.

I may sneak in another stop

at the thrift store before I leave town...

 

 

 





25/365 Rain at Dawn

Rain patters, rousing

The day with dulcet tones.  Dreams

 Fade to shifting mists.



24/365 Shadow Boxing

Sparring partners dance

 Across the sky - taunting as  

They jab, feint, parry.

 





23/365 Waking

Dreams entwine with dawn’s

Soft rays.  Sound intrudes chasing

Sleep into cold light.



22/365 A Welcome Change

Warm sun.  Soft winds.  Snow

Melting to clean, laughing streams.

Lift your face and smile.



21/365 Steadfast Flight

Silent wings carry

Geese unerringly homeward

Through the falling snow.



20/365 Waking

Landscape in grey and

White waits for sunrise to wake

The colors of day.



Happy Birthday

 

 

 

Birthday greetings for Jacob!

I'm not sure what's required of me in this situation.

Should I feel traumatized that my youngest has turned 30!?

Cards and confetti have been mailed

and though it seems impossible that 30 years have been

measured in this way

the reality is that they have not only passed

but they've been full:

 

 of happy and heartbreaking events

 

of old friends and new

 

of places and opportunities

 

of growth and change

 

of more than could be told.

 

Happy Birthday, Jacob.

Here's to another 30 years!!

 



19/365 Sundogs

Alight with wonder

Bright, arcing sundogs herd the

 Westering sun home.     



google images

 

 

 

 



Making lemonade

The bad news is

is that we hit our high temp for the day (6)

at about 7:30 this morning.

Wind chill factors out at around -17.

 

The good news is that the CPW

of my extravagantly expensive down coat

is becoming quite reasonable.

 

 

And for you photo junkies:

 

 

Here's Charlie,

debuting the new kitchen floor.

 





18/365 Snowy Day

Wisps of snowy lace

trail from rooflines to vanish,

Swirling on the wind.



17/365 Bedtime

Keening winds search the

Walls with icy fingers.  Cold

Feet find warmth in pairs.



16/365 Foggy Day

Distant pinpoints of

Light dance behind the murky

Veil of chill, grey fog.



Monday Morning

Another grey week followed by

another grey weekend bringing us to

another grey Monday.

Are you seeing the trend?

 

But the other day a package arrived.

 

 

Packages, as you know, travel with

their own sunshine.

Doesn't a package always put a smile on your face? 

 

I'd recently seen something on Pinterest

that I figured could be replicated at my house.

So I searched Amazon for that *just right* option and ordered this:

 

 

 

to apply to my washing machine.

 

 

 

The dryer has a funny lip under the door which kept me

from running the decal across its front...

 

Bright, cheerful, cheap - always a good combination -

providing a small spot of sunshine in a grey winter.

 

 

 

15/365 Rain

Mournful rivulets

trace a path down dusty panes -

dull, grey winter rain.



14/365 Dusk

Racing against the

setting sun, storm clouds crowd the

weary day’s last light.



13/365 Shadow Play

Sharply etched shadows

shift as the moon climbs behind

the slumbering trees.



12/365 Eastern Sky

 

Time quickens. Dawn’s grey

pearl fades as vibrant pinks spread

the word – a new day.



11/365

Swirling icy winds

play among bare-twigged branches

bent against the sky.



24 Hours

We hear it all the time -

 

the difference that 24 hours can make in a life.

 

News, or an event, whether

unexpected or

anxiously awaited

can truly change everything.

google images

 

 

Yesterday at this time I was excited,

full of anticipation and energy,

ready to tackle the day's projects.

 

I felt strong, confident, capable.

I performed my tasks at home and walked

to work with a sure, firm step.

 

And then, betrayal.

 

My knee buckled while I was working.

I don't even have an interesting story to tell.

I was simply walking from point A to point B.

There is no tale of derring-do

or athletic prowess gone awry

to chronicle my pain.

 

There was pain.

A reasonable, manageable pain.

 

What is unreasonable

is the effect this has had on me.

Yes, prudence would skip my morning workout. 

Skip painting the base cabinets.

But I find myself

reluctant

to trust the knee with ordinary expectations.

 

Suddenly I don't feel strong.

 

Even with the ordinary and inevitable

processes of aging

I've never felt vulnerable or challenged by

a brush with middle-age mortality.

The unwelcome spectre of change or limitation

 has never been an active threat.

Until today.

 

Even as I write this I recognize a certain level

of over-reaction.

I'm not given to over-reacting.

I'm calm and sensible.

It's only a wrenched knee for Pete's sake!

 

But most of us - even on our most rational days - look for

the small markers that may signal

a need for attention.

Today I'll adjust my plans

take it easy

probably even drive to work.

 I'll no doubt take an inventory of goals

and reasonable expectations;

make an examination of current routines.

There's a challenge here and I can already

sense a response.  

 

What do I need to do to safeguard

my expectations?

 

 

 

 

 



10/365 Dawn

Sharp white contrails pierce

dawn’s coral bands as heavy

eyes watch the sun rise.



9/365 Winter Sun

Winter sun shines bright

but false, telling shameless lies,

mocking my cold bones.



If you're wondering...

It. is. cold.

Just cold.

 

Generally, the poem I post each day contains

my observations

from the previous day.

A system that works for me.

 

I know it's early but I'm already having

trouble with the idea

that my impressions of today will be

dominated by flannels and sweatshirts and

hot oatmeal...

 

The birds have taken refuge somewhere out of

the wind.  I wish them well.

The sun is up but is telling the most

shameless lies.

 

It. is. cold.

 

So, I'm enjoying my hot oatmeal

with blueberries.

 

The tantalizing aroma of spinach puffs is moving from

the oven into my office area.

mmmmm

 

When I finish this post it will be time for flannels and a sweatshirt

so I can get to work.

The plan is to prime, paint and hang

the cupboard doors

and to start on the base cabinets.

 

We're making progress.

There are nine boxes of flooring in the back entry.

Walls have changed color.

The railing is gone.

(really gone - I can hear the garbage truck outside right now!)

 

My day is waiting - hope all is well for you...

 

 

8/365 Fresh Snow

Soft and light a clean

blanket gently covers all

offering no warmth.



Sunday Morning

Over the years there has been one phrase

- three little words -

that never fails to make my heart race.

I heard it again this morning.

*sigh*

Hold the ladder.
 

google images

 

 

 



 

7/365 Winter Sky

Cloudless blue sky, bright

but chill, an endless page for

Winter’s long lament.



6/365 Night Sounds

Raging winds assail

the night.  Tattered dreams await

dawn’s promised repose.



5/365 The Cardinal

Crimson elegance

alights to dine, bold against

winter’s grey landscape.

4/365 Sunrise

Crimson streaks fade to

pink heralding a new day,

sunrise on the Plains.



3/365 - January Moon

Sliver-thin crescent

gleams, nestled in the velvet

bosom of winter.

2/365 - Squirrels

 

Saucy acrobats

perform in treetops framed by

my kitchen window.



365 Day Challenge

I mentioned in a recent post that I was considering a 365 day challenge.

There were, as there always are,

several factors involved in the decision.

 

Discipline, creative outlet,

mid-life yearnings

for something different, yet essentially me;

something that requires a stretch while feeling rather comfortable

all played their part.

 

 

Moving from "mulling it over" to

"publish post" was maybe the hardest part of the process.
 

So, today I give you the first of

 

365 Haiku for Your Consideration 

 

 

Winter’s sun kisses

my face, teasing.  Icy breath
belies the caress.


Stop back, follow along, come with me...

 

 



Patience rewarded!

I figured out where to find my photos.

 

This will have to do for a "before" shot:

 

 

 

Cupboards are already door-less and empty.

 

 

Here are a couple not-quite-after shots:

 

 

I love the color.

 



Projects abound

We're painting in the kitchen.

(As you may well guess I forgot to take "before" pictures - oops!)

Project one.

 

I'm also still learning the new laptop Tim gave me for Christmas

so even though I did take several

"here-we-are-in-the-middle-of-the-process" pictures

I don't know how to edit and add them.

So, computer:

Project 2.

 

Of course, if you're pulling doors from cupboards

you're going to clean, sort, toss the contents:

Project 3.

 

Starting yard sale piles for this spring:

Project 4.

 

My attention has been piqued by this blog:

Cute and ...cute - take a look.

So, rather uncharacteristically, I bought the book.

Just like that.

Kindle edition - instant scratch for that

particular itch.

I plan to pursue a 365 challenge of my own.

Soon.

Project 5.

 

And some well defined strategies like

 going to bed earlier

getting more exercise

looking for humor

for a

healthier, happier me.

Project 6.

 

 

 

 

 

January- again!?

Whew! 

 

As I sat down the other night it hit me - the holidays are finished. 

No crochet hooks, knitting needles or yarn in hand.

Lists have been completed and tossed.

We neither have, nor are, company. 

The suitcases are empty and back in storage.

Time belongs to us once again.

 

So, of course, I immediately began

planning new projects. 

 Making a list or two.

Scheduling a trip.

 

Even if we avoid the pull of "resolutions"

it is all but impossible to forego

the opportunities for reflection that come with a new year.

 

Health?  Check.

Family?  Check.

Travel plans?  Check.

Creative license?  Check.

Changes?  Opportunities? Commitments?

Check, check and check.

 

My daughter left for Haiti this morning - a medical mission.

When she returns house hunting begins.

She and Aidan hope to be in their own place by May.

It has been a tough year for them.

We've helped as we could but it's not our life.

The hard blows and tough decisions have been hers.

We watch, wait, take our cues and do our best

but she handles it.

We're proud and amazed by her clear-headed strength.

 

My son is busy with studies again this year.

Pre-med.

He'll be back in the garden as soon as possible.

It sounds like chickens are part of the plan for this spring.

A wedding is also on the calendar.

At times the west coast seems another world

and we feel the separation keenly.

Weekly phone calls are part of his routine and we

treasure each one.

We're proud of the direction he's taking.

 

My mother turns eighty next week.

She works - too many hours - because

she likes having money.

It makes me laugh to hear her say that.

She has an Alaskan cruise scheduled this spring.

Everything will be interesting to her

and she'll come home full of stories to share.

She'll probably ask to steer the ship!

 

I obviously come from hardy stock and

 am pleased to see the next generation holding their own.  

My own plans for the year ahead are somewhat vague.

My primary role for many years

was accommodation and orchestration.

And I'm good at that but feel the need for a bigger plan.

So we'll see what the next few weeks bring.

Resolutions? Probably not.

Resolve? Sounds good. 

 

 

 

 

 

a breather...

A quick trip to visit Naphtali and Aidan over the weekend

brought the expected pleasures of their company

as well as a couple unexpected projects 

generated by a stop at Unique Thrift.

Charlie's bed has a new cover.

A new tablecloth.

Several new chain loop scarves.

And there is a faux fur throw in the works for me.

My biggest problem recently has simply been that I don't stay home 

on days when I could be home attacking my list.

'Tis also the season for errands and shopping and appointments

while at home:

There are presents waiting to be finished.

Some are waiting to be started.

Packages to wrap.

Cleaning for company.

Cards.

Cookies.

Tim ran the errand that was scheduled for today which

meant that a couple things - like stopping for 

Charlie's new tags - can be moved to

tomorrow when I have an appointment and will

already be out and on the run.

So today I've been able to get some wrapping done.

New bird feeders have been made and are

setting up in the fridge.

This was a pinterest idea which I've modified slightly.

Turns out my birds prefer their food to be

somewhat stationary.

So rather than thread and hang - as in the pin that caught my attention -

I make a hole to slip over a short twig on

a branch.  The birds can then stand on the branch to eat.

(Using a thin branch will keep the squirrels at bay.)

As you can see below

I cut the top from several plastic cups and packed in the seed mixture 

rather than using the cute cookie cutters featured in the pin as I found it.

It's serviceable.

I've since seen a pin with a large seed wreath that looks 

like it was made in a jello mold.

I'll probably try making a batch to fit a 

square grid suet feeder.

And if I get moving again now I can check off a few more 

items on my list before I go to work.