February 12, 2013

Dancing on a winter breeze

Keeping the "No Winter Whining" meme in mind...

The other day, as I braced myself against the bitter cold and secretly cursed the snow and ice, I was in a crabby place.

Another day of winter!

After briefly heading outside to retrieve the mail, I turned back toward the house.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a solitary Oak leaf dancing on a gentle breeze from somewhere on high. It wasn't a quick drop, but rather one of those graceful, ballet-like movements--floating here and there, and seemingly travelling in slow motion. Kind of like the feather in the movie, "Forrest Gump."

oakleaf

All around me were snow and gray and lack of life.

And then, that Oak leaf--dead, yes, yet full of life bouncing on that gentle breeze--twisted and flipped and floated slowly toward the ground.

A simple thing--and of course no major meaning to it--but it reminded me that warm breezes, colorful blooms, and new life are just around the corner.

crocus

And the Oak leaf will still be there, supporting the next generation.

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The theme for this last installment if No Winter Whining is "What I Love About Winter." I guess my favorite thing is the time it gives me to pause, reflect, and plan for the next growing season. Check out the other entries on Heather's blog!

45 comments:

  1. What a beautifully written post, it swept me away in its whimsy! And indeed it is beautiful to see that oak leaf against the stark white snow, colour just when we think there is none, beauty where we didn't think to look! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and joining in on the final No Winter Whining, it is really appreciated! Cheers~

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    1. Thank you, Heather. Something about this meme just clicked for me. I usually try to avoid posts about winter at this time of year. But having a meme that supports reporting what is happening in northern gardens in February was so encouraging. Thank you for hosting!

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  2. Thank you joining in NWW. I agree it has made these past weeks go faster. Your blog today reads like poetry.

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    1. Thank you, Lynn! I hope folks will continue this meme next year. I've enjoyed reading your posts and the other NWW posts, too!

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  3. Great photos! You know, oak leaves falling is a sign of spring! Thanks for the blog visit and comment.

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    1. Thanks! I didn't realize it's a sign of spring--yay! I guess it makes sense because the new buds and leaves need space. :)

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  4. My first peek at you . . . Loved your oak and the thoughts of it floating to the ground where soon there will be a crocus or two. On the right of your posting I see your Trillium. I have some plants on the edge of my North garden, leading toward the wooded area. Aren't they a joyous part of springtime!

    Loved my first look . . .

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    1. Thanks, Lynne! Yes, I have Trilliums in a similar spot in my garden. Some years they have been huge and plentiful, and other years they've appeared and disappeared so fast! When I think of Trilliums, I smile--I think because they bloom at such a magical time in the garden.

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  5. I'm not sure why but this post really moved me....I even teared up a little. We should all take pleasure in the simple things. Thanks!

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    1. Oh, thank you for those kind words. It was just one of those moments...I guess a moment of grace. Difficult to describe, and yet easy to explain at the same time. I love those moments!

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  6. Spring cannot be as grand and impressive without the White pause...so enjoy this snowy miracle!

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    1. So true, Sharon! I know I always feel the greatest joy after a tough winter. Actually, this winter hasn't been terribly tough. But every year the miracle of the change from winter to spring is almost overwhelming!

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  7. Beautiful images and words. No doubt, the oak will endure and help the new plants to come in the seasons of warmth.

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Oak leaves are everywhere here. It's almost like cat hair all over my furniture and my clothes. ;-)

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  8. So poetically put...I can see the oak leaf dancing in the breeze....winter is overjoyed.

    Jen

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    1. Thanks, Jen. And thanks so much for creating and promoting the meme! This is a great one, and I hope it will continue next year!

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  9. This was a lovely post. Thank you for the reminder that even in the depth of winter, there is life, movement, and beauty to be found. Take care!

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    1. Thank you, Linnae! I'm trying to appreciate the little things because I won't be garden for several more weeks. :(

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  10. A great reminder that it is the little, gently moments that are worth cherishing especially during the quieter winter season. Lovely post!

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    1. Thanks, Karin. I'm starting to get all excited about my garden plans for the spring and summer, which is helping to pass the time, too!

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  11. We have to live through winter, might as well embrace it for what it is and look for its beauty. Great post!

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    1. Thanks! I haven't even wanted to go outside to take pictures lately because we've had so much ice. For the past week, I've had an ice rink for a driveway! But there are beautiful aspects about it all.

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  12. There are little joys to be found everywhere, if we only look. What a great post about changing your perspective from just a little act of the wind.

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    1. Thanks, Holley. It just kind of happened. It amazed me how that leaf just kept floating and hanging on the wind. I kept thinking, wow, I wish I had my camera. But I guess word pictures are the next best thing.

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  13. Very poetic, and I love the rich purple crocus. No doubt I am as impatient to see mines as you are to see yours!

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    1. I have a series of photos from last year of the Crocuses. It's amazing what the light does to their translucent petals. In some light they look indigo-colored. But with the oblique afternoon light, they appear to be purple. And the stamens and stigmas seem to glow like fire. They are usually my first flowers to bloom, although I hope to have more Snowdrops this year!

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    1. Thank you, Janet. I've been wanting to get out more with my camera, but we've had a lot of ice this year which makes every outside activity so treacherous!

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  15. Your photo of the snow crocus really captures its amazing color. I am not whining about winter but the lack of snow---too late now though---and sun. Please tell me the sun still shines somewhere.

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn. We've had a few very cloudy days lately, too. I seriously think days in the 30s with clouds and humidity feel much colder than dry, sunny days with highs in the 20s! But, overall, yes -- to be honest I am tired of winter, too.

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  16. I haven't whined much this winter, and today I am certainly not whining, we have had gorgeous weather and the sun felt warm, well, kind of warm at least!

    Loved your photos, both the oak leaf and the crocus, reminds me that lots of people still have their gardens buryed in snow! Hang in there, spring is on its way :-)

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    1. Thanks, Helene! Reading your lovely blog with all the posts about blooms is helping me to get through the winter. :)

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  17. A wonderful meme...I love your positive thoughts to redirect the winter blues...I am trying to stay mum as I am done with winter and awaiting those crocus.

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    1. I must admit--crabbing about winter is how I usually cope with it. But the meme was helpful this year--it has been a lot snowier and yuckier this year. But I hope that means we'll have a normal, mild summer, with plenty of rainfall!

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  18. I've felt i already experienced winter with the blogging craze, as everybody posts winter scenes, the cold somehow radiates to my consciousness already. Sometimes, i am thinking what is better for the vegetation, the tropics or the temperate. Both have pros and cons, and they delineated which vegetation goes to where! But still there are the questions in my mine. I thought it is better for gardeners, so there is automatic change in vegetation, no need to cut alive plants to change them. Then i think again, if I were there, maybe i will not garden anymore as i pity the plants dying again when snow comes. I don't know, haha!

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    1. We're happy to share! ;-) I agree--both climates have pros and cons. I wouldn't trade Midwestern springs, summers, and falls. It's just the winters that are so, so difficult. Actually the miracle of plants going dormant and suddenly coming back to life in springtime is one of the most wonderful aspects of living here. I can't believe they make it through our winters!

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  19. Thank you, Loredana! Isn't it a great meme. I'm ready to move on from winter now, but it was fun to participate.

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  20. A lovely dedication to the silent beauty of winter, Beth. It is a time to embrace the serenity of the rest and to look forward to the awakening. Beautiful post!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. I'm ready for the next season. February is the longest month in Wisconsin! But the leaf thing was kind of nifty.

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  21. May your leaf rest in peace upon its winter white blanket. We had predictions for possible snow flurries today. It's not happening. The sun is finally shining, though the temperature is very cold (Cold for us! To you upper 30s probably would be balmy!) I am now content to enjoy virtual snow, since we have so many things budding out that would get frosted.

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    1. Tee hee. Upper 30s and humid sometimes feels colder than 20s and dry, so I'm OK with what we have--just tired of it and ready to skip ahead to the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Lots of my plants are budding under the snow, too--it's a nice warm blanket.

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  22. I haven't whined as much as usual this winter, but then we haven't had much snow to speak of, although I am getting awfully tired of grays and browns:) Love your dancing oak leaf--so often there is something to remind us of the beauty of each season if we only take the time to stop and look for it. Hope everything is going well with you, Beth--your photos of snow structures a few posts earlier were stunning!

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    1. Yes, I guess the white is better than grays and browns. It's just that it drags on for so long. Thanks for your kind words, Rose. I'm ready for spring, but otherwise things are going well. Of course, I don't want to rush it because that's what happened last year and then we had the horrible drought. I hope that doesn't happen this summer!

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  23. Beautiful post, it made me smile. I didn't realize so many people whine that a meme was started :)

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    1. Thank you, Masha! Yes, this meme really kept me cheery this winter. Seems like a simple thing, but it was kind of fun!

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