Looking for warmth

Waiting his turn.

Only with winter-patience can we bring
the deep-desired, long-awaited spring.

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh, “Autumn 1939,” The Unicorn and Other Poems, 1935-1955

Sunset at the Point yesterday,  It’s frozen as far as the eye (and binoculars) can see.

We are in a deep freeze, something that’s true for a lot of you who visit me here at the Wabi-Sabi Ranch.  I could show you more images like this:

On shore.

Or like this:

Swans on ice.

Or even like this:

Frozen waves near the shore.

But since so many are looking for warmth, let’s start with sunrise.

Warm colors in the sky.

Then we’ll have to move to the archives because most of my recent stuff involves ice and snow, and I know many of you are tired of winter’s landscape.  I’ll save the snow and ice for July and August when I’ll need to cool off.

Before we go to the archives, a Junco in the garden.

A huge flock of Red-Winged Blackbirds is still hanging out here.  They’ve been here for several days.  Now that it’s so dangerously cold, they’re invading the feeders.  The feeders have been filled twice today.  I may have to let them fend for themselves a while just to discourage the blackbirds.  There are too many of them for us to keep feeding even though I’d like nothing more than to feed all of the critters trying to survive the arctic cold.  Thankfully, nature is providing food as well.  There are still dried cherries on the cherry trees, sumac berries, multi-flora roses (we left some in the thickets because the birds eat the berries, or hips), and other seeds and berries too numerous to name (or I haven’t identified them and hence, can’t name just yet).

Warming daffodils. (March 2012.)

I watched a Dark-Eyed Junco sitting on the front porch this morning, fluffed up and shivering from the cold.  I wanted to invite him or her inside to get warm.  It hurts to watch the birds dealing with the wind and cold and snow and ice.  Or maybe I’m just far too sensitive.  Some people probably think so.

A wish for spring. (2011)

“Why are you crying” shivered the otter.  “Because I am cold!” shouted the gnome.  “Then why are you shouting?” chattered the otter.  “Because,” yelled the gnome, “when I shout it gets part of the cold from the inside out.”

~ Stephen Cosgrove, Gnome from Nome

This gnome must have shouted out all the cold. (2012)

We have one more day of the teens and single digits, then we’ll get above freezing for Saturday and into the 50’s on Sunday.  It will be a small break from winter, but winter will be returning again on Monday.  That’s February for you.  It can’t make up its mind.

Sunshine yellow. (2011)

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope the flowers and reminders of spring helped to warm you up a little.  I don’t think I’ll be going out for sunset this evening (which is at 5:45 PM).  The actual temperature is around 16°F and with the winds gusting up to 30 mph, it is, as the weather folk are saying, dangerously cold.  Let’s stay indoors where it’s warm.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to tip-toe through these tulips? (2007)

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

Huddling.

Today’s joys:  Shelter from the cold; my first good yoga workout in what feels like forever; stretching and relaxing; colorful images to explore and share; my favorite hoodie to keep me comfy and warm.