Feels like 19

Slipping into night.

No matter how bad a state of mind you may get into, if you keep strong and hold out, eventually the floating clouds must vanish and the withering wind must cease.

~ Dogen

On the beach at the Point.

I braved the winds and cold to watch the sunset and the moon rise out at the Point yesterday.  The wind was harsh and strong, trying to knock over everything in its path.  Most of the photos I came home with were blurry.  It was nearly impossible to hold the camera still as the northern winds blasted me.

Making a splash.

It was the kind of wind that tries to take my breath away when it slams into me.  I had to brace myself on the shore, but no matter how sturdy I thought my stance to be, every now and then a big gust would come along to show me that I’m lighter than I think.

Sunset colors spreading across the marsh grasses.

The chill and energy from the wind was invigorating.  The water of the river churned and splashed and waved and rushed to shore as the sun grew large against the backdrop of Tangier Sound.

Sinking into the horizon.

Normally I see flocks of birds swooping over the water or hear geese honking in the distance.  There were no birds to be seen, not even the Bald Eagle who sits on what I think of as the eagle tree.

The “eagle tree” is the tall one on the right.

Today the wind has finally calmed.  The clouds cleared out last night as the sun was setting and the moon was rising, and the clear skies allowed the earth to release its heat.  Just before I went out for my walk this morning I checked the weather report online (I don’t know why I do this when I can clearly see what’s going on outside), and it read “feels like 19.”

The moon at sunset yesterday.

I can’t say for sure it felt like 19°F.  I thought it felt much warmer than last evening.  It was the wind, or lack thereof, that made the difference.  It was in the mid-30’s when I stood on the beach at the Point yesterday, but it sure felt a lot colder than that.  I didn’t last more than 20 minutes at the Point, but managed to stay out for nearly two hours this morning.  I spent some of that time sitting on one of the big trees that the wind knocked over, meditating and watching the birds.

Another look at the moon.

The birds gathered along the Woodland Trail today.  The weekend before my surgery I scattered grass seed on the side of the path we didn’t sow last year, and the birds have finally found it.  I don’t mind if they eat it.  I can always scatter more seed.  It might not be necessary.  I noticed that the birds left enough last year that we had new grass on the trail in the spring and summer.  Perhaps the birds know to leave enough behind to grow new grass that will produce new seeds for them to eat.

White Throated Sparrow on the Woodland Trail.

That’s it from the Wabi-Sabi Ranch on this chilly day.  Thanks for dropping by.  I’m heading out to the dock in a little while to watch tonight’s sunset.  Meet you out there.  I’ll bring hot tea and hot chocolate to keep us warm.  It’s about 34°F, and there’s no wind to speak of so it shouldn’t be too bad.  Tomorrow we’ll see 50° again.  The weather can’t make up its mind.

Choppy water.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

Fun with Picmonkey. (“God” rays added.)