Quotes of the day: 

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

“One winter morning Peter woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everything as far as he could see.” ― Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day

Let it snow!

Let it snow…

A year ago today I was just starting my winter walk-about in Hawaii—waking up early my first morning there, jet-lagged, excited, and a little scared. It was a wonderful walk-about and a wonderful escape from long Minnesota winters. But it’s not something I plan to do every winter. This winter I am staying home, here in Minnesota.

As December approached, I found myself feeling somewhat lost. With no trip to prepare for and no planned respite from the coming winter in Minnesota, I was feeling a little sad.  I like winter, for a week or so, and then I’m ready for springtime.  Facing a long Minnesota winter made me feel a bit blue.

Winters in Minnesota are more than long—they are snowy and cold. I’m not a big winter sports fan—hockey, ice skating, skiing aren’t really my thing. I hate winter driving—slippery roads scare me.

In past years, I’ve spent a lot of time complaining about winter or wishing for it to be different.

This year, I’m working hard on changing my attitude about winter—choosing to love what is.

Choosing Beauty

Today each time I looked out the window today as the snow fell the beauty of it all astonished me. When I focus on the beauty all else falls away.

Happily may their roads back home be on the trail of pollen.
Happily may they all get back.
In beauty I walk.
With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty below me, I walk.
With beauty above me, I walk.
With beauty all around me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty,
It is finished in beauty,
It is finished in beauty,
It is finished in beauty.

‘Sa’ah naaghéi, Bik’eh hózhó
—from a Navajo Ceremony (Four Masterworks of American Indian Literature, ed. by John Bierhorst, 1974)

Choosing To Do What I love

I’m planning to go to Monticello many times this winter to see and photograph the trumpeter swans. And I’m planning other outings to see eagles along the Mississippi River and frozen waterfalls in northern Minnesota.  I’m also working on other creative pursuits. And of course, I will continue to photograph flowers, the thing that first got me started with photography.

Choosing To Be Present to What Is, With Compassion

I imagine that I will still fall back into complaining sometimes. When I do, I hope to wake up, become present, and with compassion for myself, let go of what I want to embrace what is.

These old branches sway

in winter storms but never

complain of the cold

Crisp cold morning air

Wakes me better than coffee

White light blazing bright

Lacy white curtains

Swiftly falling fresh white snow

Beauty surrounds me