December 1st-8th, 2013

December 1st, 2013

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Advent

~

Thus begins another Christmas season~the first candle of Advent lit

starting the final journey toward the shortest day of the year

I light it in memory of a childhood long gone~years filled with seasonal magic

leading up to the big day when the Christkindl came

~

As the candle flickers delicately~throwing shadows on the wall

I drift back to a childhood filled with the singing of songs 

earnestly playing my wooden recorder~eyes following the musical notes

eating Lebkuchen~ the taste and smell of the season ~so well remembered

~

Nose pressed against icy windows filled with delicate frosty vines and flowers

breathing to make a small round peephole~watching the snowflakes fall

neighborhoods slowly changing as all is enveloped in a blanket of snow

sledding and snowman building~laughter all around~the sheer  joy of it

~

Simple pleasures that filled the hearts and nourished the soul

not this new rush with everyone pushing and shoving~frantic to shop

fighting in lines~running from sale to sale~ the season filled with stress

I am starting to understand the old ones~ as they look back wistfully 

~

Looking back to simpler times~hardships forgotten

just the remembrance of hearts filled with joy so long ago

dark memories pushed aside as we focus the light 

which glowed so brightly back then~ when we were small

~

May your hearts be filled with gladness and light

may your days glow~illuminating  these shorter days

simple pleasures can still be found~even now~slow down

this morning's lighting of a single candle led me back to peace

December 2nd, 2013
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MM
~
Trusting eyes~depending on us to make things right

***

December 3rd, 2013
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Broad stripes of clouds race across a pale blue sky
briefly embracing the morning sun~hiding her face
moments later they hurry on~eager to make their way south
oak branches shudder~releasing flurries of small coppery leaves
the year's first hard freeze will settle tonight~icy breath of  winter

***

December 4th, 2013
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Cold December morning~warmed by happiness
our new girls are settling in~Petey, Tess and Poppy
race in wild panting circles~ around and around
snouts wide open~laughing~not feeling the cold
we watch from the window~sedate Sally by our side
they return with lolling tongues~taking turns~noisily drinking
collapsing into their beds they rest~toes twitching~recharging
it's early yet~stiff cold North wind rattles nearly bare branches
we sip hot tea~ savoring the warmth~courage will come soon enough
then we'll  bundle up and  head out~harnessing our team of four
leaning into the wind~striding out................but not yet!!

December 5th, 2013
~
Nearly midday~ yet at the creek Jack Frost still holds court
frozen pieces of art~ a tableau of his creative work on display
we admire the exhibition~rosy cheeked~moving from piece to piece
puffs of breath escaping into the chilly air~we linger briefly
then move on~eager to return home to another cup of hot tea

December 6th, 2013
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Perched above the frozen fountain
two ducks huddle
birds fly in and out sipping ice water

December 7th, 2013
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SWS
~
Snowy morning
color splash
Robin feasts

#2

Winter Wonderland
~
Just after dark~first whispers of snow
the gentle rustling of tiny flakes
as they drift through bare branches
and onto the carpet of fallen oak leaves
~
Early morning sun reveals a winter wonderland
boughs heavy with snow~glittering in golden rays
icing sugar everywhere~gentle sifting to the ground below
excited bird chatter sounds from every tree and shrub
~
We celebrate this rare event~snow in the valley
not on distant peaks~but right here~in our garden
dogs skeptical at first~cautiously tip toeing~sniffing
but soon they play like children~barking~whirling
~
Nearly a white Christmas~certainly close enough for us
this morning's splendor will see us through for many a day
the crunch of snow underfoot~bright blue skies above
gilded branches~ baroque palette of color~feast for the eyes

December 8th, 2013
~
Seven Word Sunday
~
Creek's edge~Icosaurus Rex hatched last night