Friday, January 30, 2009

'REJOICE ON A RAY OF WINTER LIGHT'

"Leaves like rusty tin
for the desolate mind that has seen the end—
the barest glimmerings.
Leaves aswirl with gullsmade wild by winter."
(On a Ray of Winter Light)


~ Rusty leaf
_____________
"When the ice of winter holds the house in its rigid grip, when curtains are drawn against that vast frozen waste of landscape, almost like a hibernating hedgehog I relish the security of being withdrawn from all that summer ferment that is long since past. Then is the time for reappraisal: to spread out, limp and receptive, and let garden thoughts rise to the surface. They emerge from some deep source of stillness which the very fact of winter has released."



~ Rejoicing in January beauty
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25 comments:

  1. Cindy Garber IversonThursday, January 29, 2009

    That photo at the top is SO dreamy! Absolutely gorgeous! And then the mosaic... well, I feel like I've visited a winter wonderland.

    Cindy

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  2. AnonymousFriday, January 30, 2009

    Oh, dear. I'm sorry to report the first yellow crocuses are afield and the camelias are bursting at their seams. :) Soon, my dear. Soon!

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  3. beckieFriday, January 30, 2009

    Joey, you truly did truly find the beauty of January. While we moan and groan about the snow, the bright white covering all the browns and greys of winter is stunning.

    At tomes I feel like Osler in wanting to hibernate and draw closed the curtains against the winter. :}

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  4. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)Friday, January 30, 2009

    Hi Joey

    Beautiful pics. I really need to get better with my camera!

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  5. TYRA Hallsénius LindheFriday, January 30, 2009

    Hi Joey, when you enlarge your collage it is gorgeous, every single one of the pictures are so very pretty. This is what I call great winter pictures.
    xoxo Tyra

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  6. MeemsFriday, January 30, 2009

    Good Friday morning to you, Joey,
    That is quite a bit of snow to rejoice the winter heart. It does make me long for a good ski vacation. Ahhhh... powdery snow and knit caps.

    I can see how dreaming of the garden would come in handy.

    Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

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  7. F CameronFriday, January 30, 2009

    Joey,

    I love your montage of winter snow scenes.

    Cameron

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  8. UnknownFriday, January 30, 2009

    You're better than me at finding beauty in January, Joey. But of course I flatly refuse to go outside much, especially when it's this cold, so whatever beauty is out there has to be enjoyed from afar, via the salt-and-snow-spattered windows. Your collage is wonderful, as always. I must learn to make one, one of these days!

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  9. Phillip OliverFriday, January 30, 2009

    What a beautiful photo! Thanks for visiting my blog. It is great discovering yours!

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  10. joeyFriday, January 30, 2009

    Thanks Cindy ~ Winter started early in November and still going strong!

    Oh dear Kathryn, hush :) I know, beneath the frozen tundra and blanket of snow, beauty sleeps.

    Hi dear Beckie ~ I actually love winter though not as much as spring :), especially now that the days are getting longer.

    Thank you, Rob. I've been thinking of you and do hope you are faring better with your weather!

    Thank you, dear Tyra ~ wish I could share some of this beautiful snow with you ... and a day of showshoeing together would be fun:)

    Many Sleeping Beauties are snoozing under that blanket of snow, Meems. I'm always in awe in spring when they awaken, stretch, and begin poking their noses up!

    Thanks Cameron. Although a bit on the frigid side, this winter has been beautiful. Like the quote in my previous post, "Things are beautiful if you love them."

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  11. joeyFriday, January 30, 2009

    You do very well finding artistic beauty in January, Jodi. Your last post through your salty windows tugged at my heart since I've always wanted to visit.

    Thanks Philip ~ alway a joy meeting new friends :)

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  12. JanFriday, January 30, 2009

    Beautiful photos and verse, as always, Joey! Is there anything that you can't create? A woman of so many talents. And genuinely a nice person, to boot!!! I need to try making a collage of photos. Haven't had time to deal with it, I guess. Or maybe I think it's just too overwhelming. This is an upbeat, and magical, touch of winter for everyone to treasure.

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  13. joeyFriday, January 30, 2009

    I'm touched by your lovely comment, Jan. I'd like to return the compliment since I feel the same about you :) Your Winter Wonderland photos are stunning!

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  14. RoseFriday, January 30, 2009

    Joey, Thank you for these beautiful photos to remind us to rejoice in the beauty of January. The quote from Osler is wonderful! I have been whining and moaning about how tired I am of winter, yet I do enjoy the landscape covered in white. I have to remember this is a great time to relax and enjoy the "deep source of stillness."

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  15. joeyFriday, January 30, 2009

    Rose ~ always a joy to hear your wise voice and take on life. We all need to moan ... this has been one of the hardest winter's on record (not counting the economy and real life issues)! Focus on the beauty of each day, including thoughts of spring (rejunivation) in all aspects of our life, WILL sustain us, dear friend :)

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  16. marmeeSaturday, January 31, 2009

    what a beautiful winter landscape you have. love each one of the collage photos, the copper clock looks so pretty with it's frosty covering.

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  17. AnonymousSaturday, January 31, 2009

    Hi Joey, this is a sweet sentiment, and the thoughts of the garden are swirling around a limp body here! HA But I am ready for spring!
    Frances

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  18. spookydragonflySaturday, January 31, 2009

    Beautiful reflections of winter, Joey! I'm so glad that it snowed here, I was tired of seeing all brown. The fallen snow highlights the bare branches and Autumns' leftovers!

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  19. A wildlife gardenerSaturday, January 31, 2009

    Wonderful photos of the magic of winter. I love Mirable Osler's work. One book she wrote is called 'A Gentle Plea For Chaos'..and everything in it resonates with my garden, including her philosophy :)

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  20. joeySaturday, January 31, 2009

    Thanks Marmee ~ I LOVE my copper garden clock, a Mother's Day gift 2years ago from my children.

    Fun note, Frances ~ lots of reappraisal swirling around in this limp ol' body also :)

    A blanket of fresh snow is a blessing covering brown bleakness, is't it Kim?

    Thanks Wildlife and also for the book tip ... sounds perfect and right up my alley!

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  21. KatarinaSaturday, January 31, 2009

    It's always such a pleasure, visiting your blog. I love the way you combine lovely poems with your excellent photos.
    Katarina

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  22. NaturegirlSaturday, January 31, 2009

    You have shown us the beauty of the bleakest time of year with this stunning collage of January.
    Spring still feels mighty far away.

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  23. AnonymousSaturday, January 31, 2009

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Love your photo collages.

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  24. MariaSaturday, January 31, 2009

    Your entries are wonderful! Absolutely enchanting. I hope to visit from time to time...Maria at http://littlethingsphotoblog.blogspot.com/ ...:)

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  25. joeySunday, February 01, 2009

    Katarina ~ you and I both love focusing on the beauty of the day and why I also enjoy visiting your delightful site, dear friend :)

    Thank you, dear Naturegirl. Often hidden, each day is a gift ... beauty lives in the eye of the beholder. But spring will come, it always does, another chapter in our lives :)

    Hi Jill-O and thanks for visiting :)

    A joy meeting you, Maria, and thank you for your enchanting comment. Please do return ... new friends are a delight :)

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