Blizzard

It was snowing when I awoke this morning.

It continued to snow all day.

The backyard filled with birds

looking for seed.

As the afternoon wore on
we had white out conditions.

We decided to bake cookies

and muffins.

We perked a pot of specialty coffee

to go with our cookies while

we kept an eye on the birds.

The prayer flags blew blessings
to those who were out in the blizzard.

Our hearts are with those who
are alone tonight, may they take hope.

We know the storm will pass
and the Fair Maids of  February,
the Snowdrops, will emerge.

Tonight we are in a state of emergency.

It is not fit for man nor beast
to be outdoors.

I am snuggled up in my blankets

thinking about snowmen

and the ways people have survived
the ice and snow.

I am thinking about the bugs.

I am thinking about
all the life under the snow.

It is February.

It is St. Brigid day.

I think I will make Valentine's.

This is a storm for the record books.

Wellness in the sunshine

A windless, cloud free afternoon called me outdoors.
It has been a week since I was outdoors.
I needed sunshine and birds.
I needed to be well.

The sky was such a deep blue it colored the snow.
I was pleased the camera saw the blue snow.

It is a long way to Spring but the Chick-a-dees have begun to sing
their song, "Fee-bee".

The Carolina Wren hopped around the deck
 looking for bugs.
It was above freezing but not warm enough for bugs!
He found some nuts.

The Tufted Titmice
had not seen me for a week.
I think they missed me as much as I missed them.

My health depends on diversity.
I must have all matter of books
and music to sustain me.

I must have all sorts of creatures about.
Dragons are so very kind to the people.

I must have the beauty and the wisdom
of ancient cultures
to teach me.

I am a writer.

I took my writing to the deck today.
I wrote in the sunshine with the birds.
I wrote poetry.
I wrote my heart out.

Aquarius

Happy Birthday to Aquarius.

I celebrate my Dragon during the sign of Aquarius.

The Dragon archetype

protects me.

I was born in the year of the Rain Dragon.

My husband is an Aquarius.
He also is a
Rain Dragon.

Winter walk

 It is very cold this afternoon, 15 F.
A breeze from the west makes it feel even colder.

The sun warmed my face when I sat out on the deck with the birds.

I was wrapped in my blankets and protected from the wind.

I enjoy the winter birds.
I enjoy the winter sunshine.

When a gust of wind blew snow off the roof

my backyard was filled with glitter, a gorgeous sight.

We received about 6 inches of snow yesterday.
My husband has shoveled the driveway and the walks.
He stays active in the winter.

I need to walk each day
to get my exercise.

I bundled up and walked around my neighborhood.

The crows fly over every afternoon.

Clear, cold winter skies.
Taking the camera on my walk
I forget to be cold.

New Mockingbird Moon

Some years ago I realized the New Moons were unnamed.

I decided to name them.

The New Moon in January became the New Mockingbird Moon.

I chose Long Snows Moon this morning from the
Spirit of the Wheel cards.

I wish we did have snow. It has been dry since October.

The geraniums continue to bloom indoors.

Perfect colors for my Chinese New Year,
 January, decorating.

Cooper's Hawk is comfortable on the deck.
He came looking for breakfast.

The Cardinals wait for him to fly off
before settling in for their seed.

I was so pleased to see the female,
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
 in the back Dogwood.

Many happiness points!

Seeing the female was so very exciting.

We walked in the cemetery this afternoon.
The trees looked gorgeous

set against the deepest of blue skies.

Movement caught my eye

and I saw the dream catcher's feathers

flittering in the breeze.

A tinsel wreath shimmered in the sunlight.
I almost cried.
I thought I saw a butterfly.
I do miss the butterflies.
Happy New Moon.