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

welcome home!

Destination: Dayton, Ohio and a visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force--all four hangars full of history from the Wright Bros. to modern day stealthy-ness. We attended this year's Operation Welcome Home,  a celebration for those who served in Southeast Asia and during the Vietnam conflict, as well as all other branches earlier in November. . .their goal: to give the SE Asia veterans the proper welcome-home celebration that they never had over 40 years ago. 

 We spent two days in the museum and the events as part of the OWH. Very few planes are festooned with red, but I did capture a bit of red here and there.

World War II P-40 tiger shark squadron plane 

Linking to Ruby Tuesday--fly over and take a look.

sisters and shadows

Earlier this month I spent a day at the Monastery of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota for a quiet time in the spirituality center on the campus. The sisters of the order of St. Benedict were my elementary teachers in Idaho so it was a bittersweet visit for me to this monastery so far away from my childhood.  Fifty years have passed and my memories of strict German nuns are with me still. To my surprise and delight I found this community of mostly middle-aged to retirement age women thoroughly filled with faith, gracious, caring and able to minister to us who grapple with every day life in the 21st century. During free time I wandered the grounds to a small vineyard and a huge garden spot, earth recently turned, ready for spring. The shadow in my photo is cast by a tall octagon shaped martin house and thriving bittersweet.

Time is a great healer. And what was a quick decision to face my fears left me with a light heart.

I'm linking my experience to ABC Wednesday whose letter du jour is S.

"A sign of God is that we are led

to a place we did not intend to go.”

Anonymous

from summer hats to woolen mittens

         My aim is to put down on paper what I see and  what I feel in the                            best and simplest way.   Ernest Hemingway

Behold the autumn version of the pink Coneflowers the little Goldfinches and Chickadees feasted on all summer, now with a light dusting of our first real frost. I'm adding these to the bouquet of Today's Flowers here.

quilting with John Muir

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  John Muir

Like quilt pieces, the blue sky fits neatly in with the leaf patterns. Beautiful autumn days stick around well into November. Look up into more skies at Skywatch Friday.

pied piper in St. Paul

Across from the St. Paul farmer's market this musician plays his pipes for passersby, hopefully a profitable venture. Visitors stop and talk to him between tunes and he discusses what kind of pipes he plays. I, however, hurrying by didn't hear what he said so I won't even hazard a guess to what kind they are. Therefore, I leave the mystery for you to solve.

Linking to ABC Wednesday.

On a late autumn, Halloween weekend we made probably our last pilgrimage to Wisconsin along the St. Croix Scenic River route to spot Tundra swans on their way south along the flyway in Alma. Too early. So that meant more time to visit my favorite bakery, the Smiling Pelican Bakeshop in Maiden Rock. I've posted about this spot before and for once we got there before the lady in front of me bought the last scone and the couple before her bought the last piece of pie--all by about 10:00 am. We went home with pumpkin pie and snickerdoodles. And a vintage, Depression Glass cake stand, Lyre pattern. You see, the baker, Sandy has started a collection of old cake plates and sells a couple as well. Here's what greets you as you step in her shop, once you inhale all the goodness which puts a smile on your face:

These shelves are above kitchen work area as well as above the bread display above. Its a magical place. I felt like I'd walked into a story book setting. . .

Happy Monday Halloween!

slow days of autumn

I saw these amazing reflections on Sucker Lake this week. The trees of  many colors stand guard over the lake where loon eggs were hatched, swans stayed on the secluded part of the lake, pelicans and cormorants clustered on a sand bar, herons and egrets fished the banks. We've had bright autumn days with plenty of time to remember summer.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more of the season.

I'm speechless

water is as water does

Back when ducks were hatching I caught this pair of new wooducks sunning themselves. Note the nub of their soon distinctive feather 'helmet' on the back of their heads. Have you ever seen an ugly baby?

There's a spot along White Bear Lake where dog owners let their dogs exercise by swimming after the illusive tennis ball. The dogs are 90% Labs so this photo of twin white Labs tells that story well. Plus an old hippie's pony tail made me smile and reminisce. . .

A new week begins with a view of animals and birds @ Misty Dawn's meme, Camera Critters.

Aren't diamonds forever?

Last days of summer at White Bear Lake. The morning was trying to break through the clouds. I loved how the sun sparkled on the water--a sight I want to remember come January.

Sail over to Skywatch Friday for more skies to enjoy.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J.R.R.Tolkien

Wednesday in a word: Newman

Found: a photo of a very young inductee into the U.S. Navy, Paul Newman. Need I say more? More handsome N-words @ Mrs Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday.

The problem with getting older is you still remember how things used to be. ― Paul Newman