Walking On Snow

There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special.

Carol Rifka Brunt

We had a little snowstorm here and it was delightful! I adore when it snows! I could watch the flakes falling for hours as it feels so peaceful to me. The sounds of snow falling is magical and Buster (our new Golden Retriever Christmas puppy) and I were out in the middle of the night while it was snowing a few times and it was chilly, but well worth it. Because nature’s soothing sounds of snow falling, while the world is asleep, I find amazing. To see him trying to capture the falling flakes was adorable and to witness his first few steps on snow (which he had never experienced before) made me giggle, even though I was trembling in the cold. He, who has a double fur coat, was non-plussed as he rolled around in the snow! Ah, the joys of having a new puppy!

I love this quote as it felt so true, especially when we were out a few times in the snow and as it kept falling, our footprints were erased for the next time he had to go outside. Each time, it felt special! There’s nothing like walking on newly fallen snow! It’s as if you’re blazing your own trail!

I think that’s what our lives are for – blazing our own trails (with or without snow). Taking the time to enjoy those precious quiet moments with those we love, cozy and happily being with loved ones, spending time just being in the present. Noticing all the glorious presence in nature and our world.

May you all have a lovely weekend. Keep your heart lights lit and gather your loved ones together with gratitude in your heart for all of the blessings we have.

Shine On!

xo

A Full Moon And Two Animal Visitors

I woke up early this morning to be greeted by an amazing full moon blazing across the sky.  Although my photo doesn’t do it any justice, the memory emblazoned on my brain/heart is spectacular.  There is something lovely about being out here in nature without many buildings thwarting the Universe’s beautiful gifts.

I’ve been watching this moon for a few days now, sitting by my front door in the quiet evenings when all is still and the stars are twinkling.  The silence here is soothing to me and I am grateful for it.  It’s like the sound of falling snow.  I’m always entranced by the unique sensations that come with being outside with snow falling all around me.

But as I was enjoying a serene moonlit night a few days ago, I had two visitors.  Yup!  You know how I get so excited when my animal friends come to visit!  Much to my surprise, the first visitor was aviary.  I had the distinct feeling that it was a bat, however, it could have been a bird.  As I was sitting under the overhang by my front door, suddenly it swooped toward me, circled around under the eaves of the porch roof and then left.  Believe me when I tell you, I was stunned.  It was like a whoosh of energy came and went in just a few seconds.  Most definitely, the bird was making its presence known to me.  I felt like it was a sign, but for what, I don’t know.  Do any of you know?

The second visitor came along about ten minutes later as I was still searching the skies for the bird who had left, wanting but not wanting it to return because I am a bit afraid of birds as it is.  Suddenly, my little bunny Clover came hopping across the lawn.  In the darkness, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, but I wasn’t sure what it was.  Then he hopped right onto the slab where I sat in my rocking chair.  We both kinda gasped when he skittered to a stop, suddenly each aware of each other because I think he was merrily hopping by without noticing me sitting there and I was oblivious to where he was since it was dark outside.

He stopped about a foot away from me and for a moment we both froze, looking at each other.  Then he turned and hopped back behind the chair on the other side of the porch.  He didn’t move, nor did I.  We have been friendly for months now.  He is used to my voice, so I began softly talking with him.  He angled himself so that he could watch me with one eye.  Enough light from the moon shone by that time and I could see he was resting comfortably.  You know me, I was enjoying our time together, asking him about his home under my back porch and about his life.  He didn’t answer, but he did stay.  I talked about the moon and how beautiful the night was.  After a few minutes, I told him that it was time for me to go to bed and that it was late for him too.  I thanked him for our unexpected visit and told him goodbye.  As I got up, he remained stoically in his spot.  Thank goodness as I didn’t want him to bolt into my house!  I know he probably wouldn’t have gone in anyway, but I wanted to make sure.  Having a wild rabbit in a home with two diva cats wouldn’t be prudent on my part!

I wonder what message Clover had for me that night and what message the bird/bat was delivering.  If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.  I know that some of you have knowledge that I lack, so anything that comes to you, please pass it along to me!  Thank you!  Make sure you go out to see that beautiful moon tonight too!  It’s the second full moon in March!

Shine On!

xo

Snow Brings Out Neighborly Kindness

The Presents of Presence

The Presents of Presence

There’s a kindness during a snowstorm in the Northeast.  Being out here in the farmland, people are especially nice and I am very grateful for their generosity considering my predicament.

So this morning, when my telephone line was heavy with snow, hanging dangerously low across the street, I saw my next door neighbor outside, shaking the snow from his beautiful trees and having to cut some limbs which had broken.  When I explained my worry, he came over and with a huge pole, and was able to knock the snow from the line, freeing it to spring back to it’s normal height thus restoring what could have been my phone line being broken by a tall truck.  Yippee!

I was plowed into my driveway too and I just don’t have the strength to shovel that much heavy snow.  I was praying for help as I was outside taking the snow off of my car in anticipation in getting out of the driveway when a man riding a small tractor came up the street.  Seeing my dilemma, he stopped and asked if I needed help.  Yes please!  So he’s now getting the heavy 2 feet of snow that the snow plows left at the base of my driveway.

God is good.  People are good.  Strangers are kind and all is well.  I hope you are enjoying the snow day today.  I am feeling very blessed myself and I send blessings your way as well!

Shine On!

xo

Spring Has Sprung!

Heralding in Spring today on the Equinox, I look outside to a snow-cloud covered sky.  While I must admit, I was excited for Spring to have sprung today, I also am probably the last person in my neighborhood who can say yes to one last snow fall for the season.

Because for me, there’s something still very magical about snow falling, the crisp cold in the air and the smell, oh! the smell of snow coming!  You know that smell, don’t you?  That smell excites me to my very core because I love to watch snow fall and to be out amidst those big huge flakes as they waft down.  Oh, I’m so excited, like a little child!  My children laugh at me because I’m the one who insists we should wear our pjs inside out for a potential snow day off from school!  Have you followed that tradition too at your house?

I love the fact that towards the end of the week, after the snowfall, we will have warmer temperatures which means melting snow and not as much shoveling!  Woo Hoo!  But honestly, I don’t mind shoveling as long as there’s not a lot to do.  You know me though, I like Mother Nature’s gifts for the most part.

We’ve had our share of snowfalls this year thus far, so I am sure that there are plenty of people who don’t like my Pollyanna attitude towards the anticipated snowfall.  But as a gal who enjoys what a snowday offers – staying home in our pjs, being housebound while watching the outside world go by in a sea of white flakes, playing board games and watching tv, and eating comfort foods with my children – well, then can we just enjoy one last snowday – please!

Shine On!

xo

 

Old Man Winter Please Make Up Your Mind!

Sorry, Mother Goose, but I changed the rhyme:

It’s raining, it’s snowing,

    Old Man Winter’s snoring.

He got into bed

    And bumped his head

And couldn’t decide – rain or snow – in the morning.

I think Old Man Winter is confused.  Dare I say it?  One minute it’s raining, the next it’s snowing and then it’s raining/snowing at the same time.  Weathermen have a tough time these days trying to predict the seemingly unpredictable.  It’s been warmer this past week, but now with the full moon yesterday, the weather is acting crazy.  We’ve got snow on the ground, but also little lakes in the backyard as a result of the flooding from the rain/snow mix.

There have been so many weather surprises in the past few months and not just here.  Can you recall any period of time when we had so many different problems?  Fires and mudslides, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, and blizzard cyclones, just to name a few?  It’s like the weather and the world have been upended and nothing makes sense these days.

So how do we stay calm in the wake of these pop up storms and hard times?  I think we have to be agile and find a way to move quickly and easily through life’s ups and downs.  Go with the flow, but be prepared for the unthinkable.  Not in a fear based way, but with the inner knowledge that we can weather whatever comes our way.  We have inner strength, but sometimes we forget and feel helpless.  That’s where faith can help, prayer can ease the mind and restore that peace within that is here for us.

I’m not belittling any of the tragedies that have occurred recently or in the past or those that may come in our future.  I’m just acknowledging that these are tough times to weather (pun intended) and we need to bond together to help each other as we endure these changes.  Come on…hold my hand.  Bonding together we can help each other through the hard times and heal while Old Man Winter is snoring!  Keep your heartlights shining!

Shine On!

xo

Can You Name Who Left These Tracks?

All different tracks in the snow!  And none of them human!

So I went outside after the snowfall and in the back of our property here, there were tons of footprints in the snow!  It was, as if once the snow stopped, all of the little animals came out to play and Waaaaa!!!  I missed the show!  You know how I love my little animal friends.  It looks like they had a party while I was asleep.

None of the tracks were human.  There were no shoe prints, only interesting tracks and all different kinds.  There were a few more photos that I took, but they were blurry so there are an additional two different tracks still unnamed.  Maybe you can help me figure out who made them?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

1. Who made these tracks?

2. Do you think it’s a deer?

3. Bunny?

4. A herd of deer perhaps?

5. Any ideas?

6. This was in a pattern too.

7. Last but not least…who made these tracks?

For ease in identifying them, I numbered them 1-7.  If you have any ideas or know about paw prints, please let me know!  I thought it was a fun way to put your expertise to the test because I am certainly clueless with these!

Thanks for any and all help!

Shine On!

xo

Winsome Winter

Icicles! Icicles! Icicles!

In addition to the massive snowfall, the gusty winds and the freezing cold, the house has developed icicles!  These are the biggest ones I’ve ever seen!  What a winsome winter we’re having here!  Thanks Mother Nature!

In the photos, you probably can’t see that there are some which are even taller than me (because they end behind the banister on the stairway), but I think they are beautiful.  When the sun was shining on them and they were glistening, they were magnificent.  Unfortunately the photos I took don’t do them justice.

Snowfall and morning moon with a snow drift in the bottom forefront! Farm house across the road.

The temperatures with wind chills factored in are reaching – 5 to – 20 which is mighty cold for Jersey.  But we are cozy in the house, so that’s all that counts.  We had some snow drifts that were about 3 feet high in places, so they weren’t shoveled.  But the driveway is clear, thanks to a few snowblowers and some back breaking shoveling.  Thank God, all is well.

A little Caturday surprise before the tree is removed.

How are you doing in your area?  Snow?  Cold?  Windy?  Sunny?  Warm?  I hope that whatever your weather, you are nestled all snug in your home like our kitty Tigger.  As always, I wish you a lovely Saturday, filled with blessings, goodness and with a heartlight that shines brilliantly!

Shine On!

xo

 

I Love Snow!

It’s snowing here and in my excitement, even though I didn’t have to get up early, I was up early.  Silly I know for me to not sleep in, because going out today is not a viable option, but the child-like wonder in watching snow fall has never left me.  So here I sit, coffee in hand and snuggled under a blanket in our warm home, watching the snow fall outside in what is being called a blizzard.  Ah, the benefits of being a Jersey Girl!

Especially when snow is falling at night, I am entranced by the wonder of each individual snowflake being unique, much like human beings.  Collectively they fall from the sky to pile up together, nestled on the ground, and then blown by the winds to be swept up again into drifts.

I love snow like I love people – I love their uniqueness, their quirky ways and their ability to bond together to form a cohesive snowball!  LOL  I know I’m being silly here, but I can’t help it.  I’m giddy today.  I just can’t help myself from smiling.  I don’t even care that it will take me a long time and much effort to clear a path, clean off our cars and get out after the storm has ceased.  But for now, the winds are blowing, the snow is falling and since we have no place to go – so as the song goes – Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

I am feeling innately sated today and I’m counting my blessings.  We have homemade chicken soup all ready for lunch (and maybe even dinner?) if the mood suits us.  Plenty of snacks and some movies to enjoy watching together.  There’s no school and no work to attend today so we will just enjoy being together, safe and sound, watching the outside world be covered in a mantle of white lace.

Life is good friends.  Shine your heartlights.

Shine On!

xo

 

Lion Roars a Confession

I am only 5’2″ tall, but in my heart, I am a lion ~ a lion who roars mightily but only occasionally aloud.  For you see, I identify with the mightiness of the lion and being a March baby, it’s understandable.  You know the adage, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.”  Well, today’s forecast for snow on my birthday, allows my inner lion to raise her soft-maned face to the skies and be thankful, with a roar that rattles the windows for even nature is getting in on my celebration!

Because it’s my birthday ~ one of the most special days of the year for me.

I’m not pompous, thinking that all should bow down to me on my day.  Instead it is I, who bends her lioness head in gratitude for all of the blessings both big and small and the coincidences which albeit tiny, matter magnificently.  For you see, there have been times when I wondered in my soul, if I would make it through to the following year’s birthday and thus the magnitude of being here to greet this day every year, has forged a path for me.

When I turned 40, I don’t think there was a person alive who didn’t know it.  Unlike many of my friends, I didn’t keep turning 40 a secret, I shouted from the rooftops that it was my birthday because I was so happy that I’d made it!  Now, my world-wide birthday happiness is just because I am so grateful for each and everyday ~  So blessed that I am here to feel the love that surrounds me, to count each and every blessing which has been gifted to me, to enjoy The Presents of Presence in every moment of the days of my life.

So please indulge me in my day ~ I believe that we should see the specialness in everyday and celebrate our lives in the same manner that we treat birthdays!

To honor the unique celebrity that is you ~ please join me in my birthday celebration today!

Be a part of Celebrate Our Blessings Day with me!

Roar Aloud in Gratitude and Shine On!

xo

Let it Snow…on WordPress!

Have you seen the SNOW lately?  Would you like to know how?  Well, look no further my friends, Kathy over at ShareChair will tell you!  You can find it here!

How to Add Snow to your WordPress Blog.

And of course, I have to add a bit of Misifusa to the post….

so please join Dean Martin, Bambi, Thumper and some SNOW!

Let it Snow!

Let it Snow!

Let it Snow!

xo