Resolutions

The fifth graders down the hall from the classroom I was in this past week had resolutions for 2008 posted on the front of their lockers. They were all good, positive thoughts which I enjoyed reading. Here are some examples:

* Get an "A" in Social Studies.

* Stop annoying my brother.

* Play with my dog more.

The photo above shows the return of our snow. Haiku is walking in the still-falling snow as I write this, so I may have some photos to post later today or tomorrow. It is completely beautiful outdoors. Though I did not finish all of the housekeeping tasks I had planned to do, I am happy with the vanilla scented candles glowing on the piano, and the big pile of interlocking building pirces spilled on the floor which is entertaining two small boys, and the girl sprawled on the couch with a blanket on her shoulders and a pencil over her ear. It looks like home to me.

photos by Aisling, January 12, 2008 1) Snow-capped Queen Anne's Lace 2) Purple Cone Flower Stalks and the lake in the background

A Walk in April...

I took my slippers off as I stepped through the garden, looking to see which buds had survived the storm. Only one bright daffodil was blooming. There is something welcoming and rejuvenating about the kiss of the cold earth against the soles of my bare feet, even in April... even as snow slows the rush of the creek and snowdrifts tarry in the shadowed, low-lying areas of the yard.

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the wind longs to play with your hair.

-Kahlil Gibran

photos by Aisling, April 9, 2007

Missing the Moon...

On the second, the Hunger Moon lit the night sky. Somewhere up there, it was full and round and bright, but I did not catch a glimpse. On the drive home from town earlier that afternoon, the sun was shining weakly through banks of heavy cloud. As I went further north, it suddenly appeared as if the road dead-ended at a solid white wall. The only way home was forward, so on I went into a world of white - white road, white sky, white air - seeing nothing beyond a few feet in front of my vehicle.

Fortunately, we made it up the steep hill and down the winding narrow road that takes us home. From that moment until now, the snow has not stopped. Yesterday, we braved the roads to take Haiku to a friend's birthday party and, as a consequence of that choice, today Limerick had to brave worse roads to bring her home. He had to leap at the chance early this morning when a neighbor plowed the road and the end of our driveway. There was a good possibility that he wouldn't make it out later, as the snow is falling and the wind persisting.

The dark towering maple trees on the back hill look like pale white birches. Snow is clinging to the entire length of each branch, pressed into place by the force of the wind. My candle is already burning on the kitchen window-sill. I am definitely not going out in this weather... Even Maude our intredip German Wire-Hair Pointer, does not want to linger outdoors. Today, I'll get my daily dose of fresh air from the cold wind whistling through the edges of the front door!

photo of Maude, by Aisling, February 3, 2007