Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Winter Inspiration


Imperfect Angel

From the upstairs bedroom window
on a moonlit December night,
I look down upon the snow
at a quite unusual sight.

Carefully sculpted snow angels
line the hillside down below.
There's one after another—
quite the perfect little row.

But something is quite different
about that last one over there.
It isn't quite as "perfect"
as far as snow angels fair.

I ponder the possibilities
and think, "How can this be?
Aren't angels always flawless?"
(Most surely would agree.)

Angels are quite elegant,
ne'er a wing is out of place,
their gowns are always just right
and in the finest of taste.

This angel isn't like the others.
It's messy to say the least.
But, to all children, I'd say:
"An imperfect angel I'd rather be."

Perfect's not all it's meant to be
with expectations above and beyond.
And so, my children, I hope you'll see
it's important to just have fun.

As I gaze out the frosty window pane
at the wintery display cast in blue,
I glimpse something along the lane,
a dog slowly passing through.

It wanders upon the row of angels,
stops and sniffs, and wouldn't you know?
It was man's best friend that made that
"Imperfect Angel" in the snow!

(written '10)

---------------

The busy holiday season and my three granddaughters were the
inspiration for the following poem about life in the slower lane.

There's Magic In
The Silence

Their day's been filled with laughter, 
good friends and gifts galore.
"Now, girls, turn down the lights. 
It's time to take it slower." 

So as the sun sets in the west 
and the snow begins to swirl, 
I notice that the Christmas lights 
shone brighter than e'er before.

There's a sense of peace
with the freshly fallen snow but
as I gaze out the window I hear, 
"Grandma, let's do more?"

"Be quiet and just listen 
to the stillness all around.
There's magic in the silence, 
speak less and it will be found."

As I open up the window, I say, 
"Come closer and grab a blanket or two."
Then we huddled on the floor as the 
snowflakes came tumbling through.

"Did you see that shooting star
in the distant northern sky
and hear the swooshing sound it made
as it quickly passed on by?"

"And do you hear the crunching
as a grey fox makes its way
along the path by the pines
near that place you like to play?"

"I believe I hear a heartbeat.
Do you think that could be so?
It reminds me of my love for you. . .
is that an icicle on your nose?"

“You may not hear each snowflake
as it tumbles to the ground,
but if you're quiet you will hear
the most magnificent sounds.”

“Learn to listen patiently 
and you will come to see that
the world is filled with wonder—
and the best of it is free.”

(written '09)

---------------

Snowflake Souffle

In silence they come tumbling down,
tossing twirling to the ground.
Hours pass. . . the piles grow higher.
Snowflake Souffle is what you desire?

In wonderment I sit and stare
at Mother Nature's creative flair.
In the far off clouds I see
a glistening white menagerie.

There's an arctic fox, an albino deer,
a great white bear, yet have no fear.
For in the clouds they'll prance about
'til the north winds blow-w-w them out.

To the earth they'll make their way,
this icy creation—more Snowflake Souffle.
Snowflake Souffle. . . so fluffy and light.
C'est magnifique! A beautiful sight! 

(written '08)

Friday, December 21, 2012

More Fluff


The calm after the storm.


Over 18 inches of new fluff.


Many hungry visitors today.


50+ mph winds and the garland is still intact.


Many many birds visited the frozen feeders today.


Sparkly ice coated tree limbs. 


The new Christmas bows got a good workout.


Ash trees wear white quite well.

Seasonal Frosting


Decked halls, pre-storm.


Happy feeders, pre-storm.


Whipping cream as far as the eye can see.


Dandelion. . . really! Pre-storm.


Breakfast.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Life's Moments

Granddaughters with Great Grandma.

"Let's hold hands!"

A playful moment

last September.

Samantha, Lydia, and Elyse, 

7, 12,  and 8,

with Great Grandma, 82.

I cherish these moments

more with each

passing

day.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Might as well dream big. . .

Samantha talking about her dream. (She wore her new
"monkey hat" the whole day on Saturday.)

What a wind it was. Samantha said it blew her and her mommy and daddy completely away. It was so strong that it lifted them high into the air and carried them to the North Pole "where Santa was." And then, according to Samantha, she got an iPad.

It seems like the whole family did a bit of dreaming this past Friday.

As we sat at the breakfast bar eating dinner Saturday evening, my granddaughters and I talked about our dreams from the previous night. Elyse, who is eight years old and an avid reader, said that her dream was about Harry Potter. My dream was a bit more complex so I spared them the boring details. But seven year old Samantha was more than willing to tell us about how she got blown all the way to Santa's house and then ended up with an iPad.

I guess if you must dream, you might as well dream big.