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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Beginnings and Endings Days and Months Painted Sky and Canvas


Sunrise Over Mount Holyoke Range November 29, 2011




Fairies come out to celebrate the new day. 

Mount Tom at Sunrise November 29, 2011

The magical time just at the beginning and end of each day, where the sky becomes a vivid, living painting, is well worth honoring within silence, reverence and reverie. From my home and retreat at Flower Hill Farm the view allows a spectacular promise at those early and later moments . . . especially as November takes its leave of us. Clouds and mists of yesterdays sunrise (in the photos above) reflect and refract colors and light . . .  while holding to the sky a striking palette . . .  truly staggering and startling the imagination and spirit of this observer. It is a painting in constant movement as clouds float, stretch and swell into the atmosphere. Then . . .  the luminous composition fades . . .  as a wisp of smoke or a whisper . . . until the day is finished and a new painting, as seen below, fills the canopy of sky in that twinkling of time before gray and darkness befalls. 

Mount Tom at Sunset November 29, 2011

Mount Holyoke Sunset November 29, 2011
  

Today this last morning of November begins with a stratospheric light show. Tomorrow will bring the first December sunrise of 2011 . . . the end of one day . . . one month . . . and beginnings of another. Nearly the end of a year. November has been mild with a slew of sunny, warm days, allowing for shoeless walks along the North Truro shore and here at Flower Hill Farm many more days, and evenings too, with windows and doors flung wide open. Oh, had I been able . . . it was a great month to garden.



Dramatic light-show when the sun appears to moves into the thick blanket of clouds. 


Red-bellied Woodpecker


While working on this post flocks with hundreds of birds were filling the sky, so I had to pause and fetch my camera to try to capture them, if only to identify the species. I could not, but what a joyous sighting for me in my own dear Rock Maple . . . a first here at Flower Hill (for me) . . . a Red-bellied Woodpecker!! My first sighting was earlier in the year at a Great Blue Heron Rookery. I shared my experience of the rookery at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens
November nearly ending now . . . offers gifts of beautifully painted sky and birds. Bluebirds are sweetly singing their soft and melodious songs and calls.  I am glad and grateful for having been in the moment and able to accept them all . . . gifts and songs . . . though none were intended for me at all. It is only for me to take the time to notice. I am very fortunate to be in such a place and to have the time.



At November's end I begin a new painting. This is an underpainting. I plan to use lots of yellows and pale greens which is why I chose the compliment of purple. Plans can change. I always find this early stage exciting . . . something becoming . . . a mystery with possible promise (If I destroy it I can always cover it and begin anew). Alas, my paintings are pale in beauty when seen next to such stunning works of Mother Nature, but then I am not trying to copy nature . . . only to find my own voice and way of expressing the feelings I find in my connection to nature. Nature all around me is my muse. 
(My Painting process and some works over the last few years can be seen above just under the header photo by clicking on the 'Page' titles.) 
I will bid farewell to November and welcome December in the morning. 

Let's not forget the moon, which is a mirror to our sun. Here another beginning and ending  'Moonlit' for Katarina of Roses and Stuff for now it is Blooming Friday. Happy Roman Holiday K. 




Saturday, November 26, 2011

'Cold Feet' For Katarina







I chuckle to think 
a kiss is interrupted 
or was it cold feet





Walking yellowlegs
feet immersed in cold water
do not seem to mind


Greetings to my Swedish friends where the temperatures are plummeting into cold frostiness. 
Visit Katarina's Roses and Stuff to see other 'cold feet' offerings. 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Gathering Wildflowers Fields and Meadows Gone To Sleepy Seed
























Growing seasons green
a field and meadow withdraw
life filled colors fade

quiet and stillness
within November landscapes
new life floats and waits

gathered from this season past
brighten up our day


This cold and dreary day will pass, while warmer sunny days are forecast for Thanksgiving and throughout the weekend. May you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Let's not forget that when our ancestors first visited this land, it was filled with native wildflowers and was also populated with many native peoples who loved their land and rituals. It is important to remember. 
Do you remember the true story of Thanksgiving? How the Wampanoag people brought food to the starving 'pilgrims' ? You can learn why Thanksgiving is now 'A National Day of Mourning' for Native Americans. 
A dear friend has introduced me to a beautiful film 'We Are Still Here'

Other Thanksgiving posts here and here

Please look to my labels below to identify the flowers above. 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Sketches of Days Past Remembering and Wishing























As Autumn stretches 
towards winters frozen hold 
the mind dwells in light

Bluebirds remain here
throughout the coming darkness
golden portals sigh

passing through the hue
into lighter times of warmth
imagine color

the earth inhales life
seeds fall away promising
regeneration


Stepping through the portal of light I wish I might hold the peace of the ocean sounds in my heart and grow stronger from that calmness. Returning to my gardens I am glad to see the snow has melted away  but so too is the color . . . gone . . . and for that I am sorry. Now we move into the darker times and must find light within. I wish for bluebirds finding comfort about the gardens . . .  with me  . . . adding blue when gray is all about. Here and in the larger world I wish that light might touch all hearts and minds and lead towards peace and justice.

Visit Katarina's light Inspiring wishes.