A Single Rosebud...

...is worth a thousand words.

 Amid all the dormant plants, and a layer of snow, a beautiful red rosebud stands bravely, refusing the give in to the blast of winter. Isn't that a beautiful sight?

Our outdoor semi-feral cats perch along the logs lining our back yard bushes, soaking up any warmth from brief glimpses of sun. As the day draws to an end, they move to the shelters we have provided to protect them from the harsh elements.

Within each of us, there is that strength to persevere despite obstacles and storms that invade our lives. We seek the warmth of the sun and stand bravely like the rosebud, despite the odds.

Amazing!

Long and Dark Days Ahead

The days are getting shorter. I love the change of seasons, but I don't like the short amount of daylight we get. Sunshine makes me feel happy and full of energy. Darkness makes me feel isolated and melancholy. Next weekend we'll be turning the clocks back an hour. That makes for an even earlier sunset.

My routine changes a bit in the darker months. I won't be spending time outdoors tending the yard, which gives me free time. That time will be spent writing, so I'm hoping to get a few books written before the flowers peek their heads through the soil again. And, I'll be spending more time walking on the treadmill, since I won't be getting the outside exercise. Well, until the snow falls!

My question for you is: Do you change your daily routine in the winter?

No Sunny Sky Today

I had hoped to share a view of beautiful sunshine sparkling across the snow and glistening through the icicles this morning. However, I'm looking out at a very gray sky. A slight wind is blowing, just enough to occassionally move a leaf dead leaf, hanging by a small grip to the once beautiful knock-out rose bush.

The rose bush completely hides my view of the neighbor's house. Instead the beautiful plant which graces my view with bright blooms lasting well into the fall now is coated and encrusted with piles of frozen snow and huge icicles.

As the snow slowly melted off the roof during the last sunny day, it turned into spears of ice so large I'd be afraid to walk in the garden for fear of being gravely injured. As these melted slowly, they dripped to the rose bush forming another formidable mass.

I think today my choice will be to remain inside since the roads are still snow and ice-covered...and so is my car.

This has been a long, long winter.

Thanks for stopping by.