W for 'wishes'

In honor of  double-you, ABC Wednesday's letter du jour I send best wishes to my bloggie friends for a wonderful holiday as we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and a new year ahead.

May peace and plenty be the first,

To lift the latch to your door.

And happiness be guided to your home,

By the candle of Christmas.

Irish Blessing

stand tall and reserve your sap

I caught this sunrise over Owasso Lake early last month. The lake was covered with snow and likely slowly freezing underneath. In December the lake still hasn't completely frozen, much to the dismay of the ice fishermen. The trees are now completely bare, all the better to hear the message below:

Message on the Winter Air

Long shadows on blue snow

Warm sun stepping around trees

Life’s mysterious light and dark.

Trees standing tall

Uncovered faces in the wind

Snow collecting in the cleft of boughs

Sap deeply stored.

Feetless birds, round as tennis balls

Perched facing the warming sun

Random song--

Reassuring their own kind

Reaching limb to limb,

Barren bark remembers melting snow

Turns to buds in spring.

Stand tall, reserve sap,

Accept visitors,

Wrap the bird song like a scarf .

See more unique sky views @ Skywatch Friday.

word-less Wednesday

listening for sleigh bells

Red and green for Christmas--who doesn't love to see them getting along so nicely? Above is a painting made by Karl Larsson of his daughter decorating their tree. I see her red stockings, red stripes in her apron, cap and shawl as well as a few ornaments. A quietly festive scene.

Called Out in the Snow by Mela Koehler who was part of the The Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) in the early 20th century. I love the lines and movement especially from the floating scarf and ribbons, not to mention the bright red gloves and the big red bow in the girl's braid. A happy scene.

I don't know who made this bucolic scene but it has hung in my kitchen for a long time. The lambs near the fire always make me smile as does the white cat sleeping in the window. Then there's the red stockings, towel and fire's glow. A warm scene.

More red creativity @ Ruby Tuesday.

holiday delights

One cannot fix one's eyes

on the commonest natural

production without finding

food for a rambling fancy.

Jane Austen

'pink moon is on its way'

I happened upon this surprising sunrise along Snail Lake early one morning in December. The lakes are slow in freezing this year--usually the fish houses are on the lakes by Thanksgiving. This one is on its way but some water remained that morning, reflecting the electric sky.

I gladly share this scene @ Skywatch Friday along with Pink Moon by the late, great, Nick Drake for your listening pleasure.

wordless Wednesday

decking those halls

'Tis the season of lights and almost Tuesday, which means linking a photo to Ruby Tuesday where red is the color of the day. On our Christmas tree blue decorations far exceed red. The red star on the left is from David's childhood tree which makes it really, really old. On the bottom is a blown glass 'candy apple' on a stick with us since the girls were little.

Not really red, except maybe if cats were inclined to blush. . .this is Bean making a hasty exit after being discovered under the tree for the millionth time today. Note 'the look.' Bad cat.

More fun @ Ruby Tuesday!

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. anon

I begin just where I left off. . .

early winter's brooding sky brim full with dirty cotton clouds

 shooting colors from the east as the curtain lifts over the lake

and you know how I feel about silhouettes of trees 

I'm linking this glimpse of daylight to Skywatch Friday with its many sky views.

'I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do. I feel as if this tree knows everything I ever think of when I sit here. When I come back to it, I never have to remind it of anything; I begin just where I left off.' 

Willa Cather