Sunday Stroll - Our Growing Family

This week 

on the farm, 

we had blue skies and sunshine.

We had snow and rain.

I made herbal tea blends

from last summer's flowers,

while the trails and standing water

 in the woods

turned to sheer ice.

Best of all,

little Willow came to live on the farm.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.

Speaking of farms, don't miss Steve's great stroll on a farm Out on the Prairie!

Sunday Stroll - Winter Blooms

In the quiet places,

nestled between

here 

and there,

winter blooms.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather,

I wish you peace.

Ski on over to Steve's blog, Out on the Prairie, to take in the sights.

Sunday Stroll - Dusted in snow.

We walked out this morning under the pale winter sun.

It was quiet in the grape yard.

Everything is dusted in snow.

Even Micah.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

If you have a few extra moments, head on over to Steve's blog, Out on the Prairie, to see his peaceful, beautiful stroll.

Sunday Stroll - Deep Winter

In deepest winter,

let us walk slowly

into the woods.

Down past the sleeping cedars,

to the quiet 

of the snow-covered marsh.

Let us explore the places

that we cannot get to 

in the bright tangle of summer,

nor in the whole-hearted saturation of spring.

Let us be

still and reminiscent

like the effigies of growth

that hold space

in these numinous glades.

Let us be free

to take the arctic air

deep into our lungs,

while we lie in banks of snow

like children making angels,

beneath a roof of cedar branches

and the pale familiar winter sky.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you the peace of deep winter.

Please take a moment to see the beautiful buffalo that Steve found, 

Out on the Prairie, during his Sunday Stroll.

A Little Quote and a Little Note: Winter Full of Winter

"You can't get too much winter in the winter."

~ Robert Frost

I'm not sure that I can wholeheartedly agree with Robert Frost, but Micah certainly does!  We have had a winter full of winter: snow, ice, Alberta clippers, and bone-chilling cold. Early each weekday morning, I step into the cold pre-dawn air to tend to our farm animals before braving the challenging road conditions on my way to a new job which I started in November.  Well, it's not just a job, it's a calling.  More about that another time!

When I arrive home, as the sun is sinking into the beautiful lake that defines the western horizon on my entire (eleven mile) commute, Micah is waiting.  Waiting with bright eyes and excited energy in his entire body.  He is eager to romp in the snow, skid on the ice, and to leap and bound joyfully.  If his wagging tail is any indication, he shares the belief with Robert Frost that "you can't get too much winter in the winter."  In fact, he'd be in favor of winter all year long!

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.