I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show. — Andrew Wyeth
Autumn showing itself in Winter
Quote of the Month
October
October is not the same around the globe. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere may get the cooler temperatures and change of color, seeing the beauty of the yellow, red, or orange. And then there are others where the rainy season ends and the dry season begins.
There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of Autumn leaves – Joe. L. Wheeler
You ought to know that October is the first Spring month. – Karel Capek
Here’s to October!
Dogwood
“Soon everywhere, with glory through and through,
The fields will spread with every brilliant hue.
But high o’er all the early floral train,
Where softness all the arching sky resumes,
The dogwood dancing to the winds’ refrain,
In stainless glory spreads its snowy blooms.”
– Dogwood Blossoms. George Marion McClellan
Taken from the North Cascades National Park Service Complex post…Pacific Dogwood are in bloom throughout the park! Its white pedals are found throughout the park such as campgrounds and the North Cascades visitor center.
This may be a Kousa dogwood… check out the varieties here: https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-dogwood-trees-shrubs-subshrubs-3269662 Late May 2022, Renton, WA
Spring Equinox 2022
Happy 1st day of Spring!
Spring is painted in daffodil yellows, robin egg blues, new grass green and the brightness of hope for a better life – Toni Sorenson
In March…
In March, winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward…. – Jean Hersey
Of Winter’s sunset and fog
On a mid-January day, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park was a great landing spot for views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, fog on the water and the beginning of a sunset worthy of viewing. The Puget Sound area was entertained by colorful skies and fog that continues to show itself.
In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!
– Mehmet Murat ildan
As we close 2021…
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.
“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius
Winter Solstice
Today is December 21st, Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the shortest day of the year.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.” -Albert Camus
Do you do anything differently? Go for a run, walk outside in the elements?
How are you celebrating? I’ll be watching the Seahawks vs Rams game but at the same time I’m acknowledging the change of seasons. If you want to create a new tradition to celebrate the change of this season, a few suggestions (thanks and credit to vivobarefoot):
• Make a solstice candle. Candle kits are widely available. You could go colourful, or add warming oils like clove or cinnamon.
• Create a winter mandala or collage – you might forage for materials on a winter walk.
• Make ornaments from paper and card – and ‘bless a tree’ – our ancestors gave thanks to the gods of old by leaving gifts in the forest (if you do this, make sure to use materials that won’t litter and don’t contain plastics – like glitter).
Or maybe you’ll find time just to take 5 minutes to pause and reflect on the turning of our amazing earth.
The 1st Full Day of Spring
It’s the first full day of spring 2016. It’s a mix in the Pacific Northwest…rain, grey skies, and yet the the trees and flowers are budding and blooming.
Did you see that Easter next year will be on April 16th? But, it is not the latest date on record. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/easter/easterdate.asp
A Spring Verse from http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-2016-vernal-equinox
One swallow does not make a spring.
Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.
In spring, no one thinks of the snow that fell last year.
Don’t say that spring has come until you can put your foot on nine daisies.
Spring-time sweet!
The whole Earth smiles, thy coming to greet.
Priorities
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. ~ Stephen Covey
Happy New Year 2016!
What are your priorities for this new year? If something isn’t working, change it. Ask yourself, would it be better if I did it differently?
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