I'm just sayin'...

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.

~William Barclay

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/shackleton/

perception...

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
~ Lao-tzu

Ah, how we perceive the world so colors our journey.

And can we alter out perceptions with attitude?

I think so. It is, in fact, the only thing that we hold

any real sway over in this life.

Perhaps I do not choose my path, but I do choose

the song I sing as I go.

back to reality...

So the holidays are basically over and soon we return to real life. My kids have Monday off of school, so they are still in the laid back mode. Christmas is packed neatly away and my new studio space is almost ready. And it is January, my least favorite month. But, I am no longer a person who hates winter. I have decided that it is absurd to despise an entire season, so I will look for silvery shadows and the stark beauty of bare branches against a winter sunset. I will move my studio and fix it just right. And before you know it the trees will get that sweet, fuzzy look and the days will grow longer. Spring comes early in Texas. Thank you, Mother Nature!
Hope 2010 has begun well for you. Stay warm and dream sweet flower-filled dreams.
xo~Dale

contrasts...

I am a lover of sunshine, of aqua seas and swaying palms. I love warmth and sand and azure skies... but I am making peace with winter. Even I must admit that a less vibrant landscape also has a certain beauty. Winter is quieter, slower, all tucked in, waiting.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

~Andrew Wyeth
I cannot say I prefer winter, but I am appreciating the merits of this season of reflection.

And of course...
O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

old man winter

Amazingly we are having our second little snow storm in one week here in the Dallas suburbs!

Our pansies have been sweetly "sugared" and that marvelous hush that comes with snowfall has arrived. Our snow will be gone tomorrow, but it has been so pretty to watch the big, cottony flakes dash against the windows while a fire burned in our fireplace and a pot of chili simmered on the stove.

Hope things are cozy wherever you might be.

Stay warm.

xoxo~Dale

and a good time was had by all!

Christmas was marvelous, sweet and WHITE! Yes, here in north Texas we had S*N*O*W!!

The storm arrived just after midday on Christmas eve and it snowed all afternoon and evening.

While I am not fond of winter so much, it was pure magic to have a white Christmas!!

Now several days later a few white spots linger... waiting for more, perhaps, as the old wives' tale says? Our forecast hints of ice on Tuesday. We shall see...

I have had a lousy cold and have yet to rip down my decorations as I am prone to do right after Christmas. I may start in a bit or leave them until tomorrow. I am not one to leave them for long after the holiday has passed, but this cold has me feeling a bit listless.

Hope your holidays were magical!

Stay warm! xoxo~Dale

It snowed and snowed,

the whole world over,

Snow swept the world from end to end.

A candle burned on the table;

A candle burned.
~Boris Pasternak
Doctor Zhivago

"Art is running away without ever leaving home."
Twyla Tharp