Sunday Stroll Invitation

"The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly masterfully extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected glory."

Gary Zukav

As the winter solstice approaches, we find ourselves with short days and long nights.  Though the day is short and the snow is deep, I am setting the intention to get out and take a long, slow hike.  My photos are likely to be "white on white" but the fresh air will be welcome in these lungs that are getting a bit too used to stale indoor oxygen!

If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. Even if you think you don't have time, or if you believe it is too cold or the snow is too deep, perhaps you could manage a few steps outside your front door with the camera in hand... perhaps you could pull in a few long deep breaths of December sky and release a few deep exhalations of your own,

You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like. I will add participant names to this post so other strollers can walk through your "neck of the woods"  too. I'll check back often and try to keep the list updated.





















Quote from: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/garyzukav528252.html?src=t_winter

Monday Muse: Blackbird Peregrine

Dark Days come 

but, Love, don't let go

My dear don't give up

We'll go through it all.

Wake up, oh my dear

Let me keep you near

Stay and hold my hand

Don't you let go

Don't you let go

Keep your hand on my heart

Even if days turn dark

~ Blackbird Peregrine

I find music to be one of the best ways to lift a little of the winter darkness.  Exploring new artists gives me a feeling kindred to that adventurous sense of exploring new terrain or unfamiliar cultures. Here is a sweet little duo, that I enjoyed encountering for the first time recently.  Love their camaraderie and the tapping of their stocking-clad feet in this video. 

Sunday Stroll: A White Quilt

Put on your warmest winter cap.

Let's take the trail through the herb garden,

where the roses are bending down,

to kiss the autumn goodbye.

 Let's walk up the hill to the front garden.

 Let us lay down near the sycamore tree

on this white quilt of snow,

and catch snowflakes on our tongues for a while.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

Steve has already been out and about photographing

 the beautiful prairie around him, 

where autumn lingers.

Sunday Stroll Invitation

“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

If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like. I will add participant names to this post so other strollers can walk through your "neck of the woods"  too. I'll check back often and try to keep the list updated.


quote from: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/winter


Steve has already been out and about photographing the beautiful prairie around him, where autumn lingers.

Monday Muse: Winter Song

"I still believe in summer days

The seasons always change

and life will find a way"

I am going to resurrect my old tradition of posting a "Monday Muse."  These are songs, or art, or news stories that inspire me.  As a musician myself, I am very appreciative of acoustic performances. This cover of a beautiful Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson song really resonates with me.  Love the ease and gentleness of this performance and the lyrics seem just right for this season.

If you have a favorite acoustic performance, please include a link in my comments.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.

Sunday Stroll: Memory of Roses

God gave us our memories 

so that we might have roses in December."

 -   J. M. Barrie

By December in these northern hills,

 the roses usually are a memory.  

This year, 

the roses and other blossoms are lingering.

Fruit is still clinging to the branches,

The wind-riders are hesitating,

waiting for the just the right wind

 to carry them away.

The greens (and reds!) are still flourishing

in the garden.

Flocks of geese are behind schedule,

flying home through 

the silver skies of early December.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

Other Strollers:

Steve has already been out and about and captured some stunning photos of birds at Out on the Prairie.

Wouldn't you love to see your name here?  Just take a few photos as you stroll around your neighborhood and then post a comment here or on the Sunday Stroll Invitation post immediately preceding this one.

Sunday Stroll Invitation

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December." -   J. M. Barrie

If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like. I will add participant names to this post so other strollers can walk through your "neck of the woods"  too. I'll check back often and try to keep the list updated.


quote found at: http://www.egreenway.com/months/

Steve has already been out and about at captured some stunning photos of birds at Out on the Prairie.