Series Above 3000

JustHeaven(ontheBlueRidge)

MyStripedLove

RoyalBlue

StriatedVariations

SmokeyRidgeSky

WildRide

HeavenlyStriping

SkyRibbons

HeavenlyValley

MountainTopIllumination

WinterMorningColor

Cold Today

We had drizzle and some warmer temps that melted
almost all of the 18 inches of snow that we had.
But, it has now gotten C-O-L-D again
(under 20 degrees.) What is it,
about ducks that enable them to keep
their feet in that freezing water?
Why aren't their little webbed feet blue
(or something?) The dogs have been muddy,
so I have had them dipping their feet in a chilly pool;
which they hate! Chilly temps here,
but we are (at least) seeing some sun!
I am hoping to procure some shots of interest for you
when I get my chores done that I neglected
over the holidays!!!! I hope that your
New Year's celebration was peachy keen
as well! I was like a large polar bear
laying sprawled out the snow-
content and at home...
and certainly
not accomplishing all too much!
School is back in session tomorrow
(for my youngest.)
Vacation is
over.

Resolute Things: 2011

Things that are resolute:

The rocks of the Appalachian Trail

The mess of my son's room (thus far...)

...That the wispy streaks of cloud

will be whipped up by mountain currents

(looking just like sky cotton candy

as they travel onward...upward)

That I will spy

a new moon

to abandon myself to...

That I will walk through

the melting and the return

of all things snow...

That man will write and write and write

(again)

(There is more yet, to be said...)

That my bed feels good

That my heart will be stirred

That the calendar will soon turn (again)

and that

I am

the lazy days

of summer.

Scenes from throughout this past year

December 2010

November 2010

October 2010

September 2010

August 2010

July 2010

June 2010

May 2010

April 2010

March 2010

February 2010

January 2010

For the Crescent Moon

The silvery glow of a soft crescent moon woke me 
last night, as it laid a kiss upon my cheekbone... 

It traveled across my room's window, 
toying lovingly with me as it 
inched across the framed window, 
little by little, but, oh...so low.

O crescent moon, must you travel?

Whither thou goest? Can you not stay? 
May I put you on a string and bob you up and then down?

Or is it a game we must play? 

I track you. I trace you.

You travel (away.) I open my eyes wondering...

are you gone yet? Will you...stay? 

Yet, you tease me. Crescent, to my amazement,
you paste yourself in the inky black night sky
and soft glow 
as a sliver of an orb 
with a twin companion star 
twinkling near you.

I embrace you, this night,

and hold you as if you are Friend.

Fresh with new meaning, 
the words in Moore's wintry poem 
echo through my sleepy head.

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,

gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below."

You have given me a kiss of light. 
I delight in you, Crescent Gold. 
You leave me hoping in beauty.

Bathe me in the touch...
of your milky white caresses. 

Banish me to your kingdom, Crescent.

I shall await your return, O Solemn One.
You are ever watchful,

ever faithful, 
iridescent,

incandescent

Crescent Moon.

And this I sing for you:

"Au clair de la lune

Mon ami Pierrot

Prête-moi ta plume

Pour écrire un mot."

Wintery Scenes

from the High Country!
We are held firmly in the grasp...
of winter. Here are some of winter's best colors to date,
taken Christmas weekend. The quiet solitude and intensity
of color against the darker hold of winter make for
compelling scenery.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas...
to you.
:)

O Tannenbaum

Psychedelic
Christmas Tree,
alone but giving spark.
Psychedelic Christmas Tree,
you turn my room into a park...
Psychedelic Christmas Tree-
strange but ever true.
Psychedelic Christmas Tree-
I'm 'in love...' with you.
Merry Christmas!!!
:)

Foggy and Christmas Joys

Freezing drizzle kept us home most of the day. A trip to the
supermarket allowed me to 'spy' a fog covered
mountain top across the way (Bottom.)
The joys of the holiday season...a good high school
choir singing carols is just as beneficial for the soul
as a warming by the fire (Top!) A holiday orchestra
with a guest flutist from the local college was
our treat on Monday evening (Middle.) After a full week off
(from high school) the weather permitted
one day of school with the seasonal Christmas
musical 'snuck in' at night!
What a treat...what a joy!

Christmas Tree Challenge

Although 'they' look harmless and exude
peace and tranquility,
the above black furry beasts (Top Shot)
challenge me and the tree yearly.
I am attempting to put together this years' tree.
Annually, I have to twisty tie
the bottom three (at least) branches of the lights
and the ornaments on, or OFF they go
(especially the lights.) The 'beasts'
run through the tree taking with them
what they can...
Middle Shot:
I'm hoping to procure for you
a wintry shot of the many excellent
specimen Christmas trees grown
on hillside after hillside here.
We cut ours down this year.
This is a shot my husband took (earlier)
off the highway of a large tree farm.
They look even better
(if that is indeed possible) in the winter!
Bottom:
A lovely, quiet 'winter red barn'
resting along the New River.
Enjoy!

Things That I

artwork

color...

lithographs...

old books
(the older the better)

(little) angels...

shadow and light source, always

...appreciate.
:)

Thing of Beauty Revealed

Top: Winter's Trees

Thing of Beauty: A rather large

snow drift (for those who guessed!) :)

that looked like a lovely wave with a curl.

Today we have freezing drizzle

(as was predicted courtesy of Ray's Weather...)

on top of about 15-18 inches of snow. It has formed

a 1/8th inch (thus far) crispy, crunchy layer.

Even the dogs are mystified by the shape of things!

To walk (the dogs) I must use my walking stick

and proceed very carefully.

Once 'punched through' the snow;

I'm safe but the road's slick

surface is downright treacherous.

We have no school for the entire week

at our local high school.

Today, however, the slick ice makes

driving truly not something you want

to do. We were able to drive out

yesterday several times. It was a

sunny day with melted snow here

and there. The local college kids

finished their exams and headed

home (including our son.)

:-)