Sunday Morning Sunshine: Dust if You Must

Dust if You Must

By Rose Milligan

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better                                 to paint a picture or write a letter,                                              Bake a cake, or plant a seed,                                                    Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,                   With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb,                             Music to hear, and books to read,                                                Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there,                                                                                                     With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair,                                                                                        A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,                                                                                                                    This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,                                                       Old age will come and it's not kind,                                                       And when you go (and go you must)                                                     You, yourself, will make more dust.  

Sunday Morning Sunshine: I'm happy!

Oh, yeah,

I know we need the rain.

In fact, I enjoy hearing the soft sound of rain

The beauty of the snow...

 But the SUN! 

It makes me happy!

And that's enough. 

Rambling Friday: Snow, Snow and More Snow!

 

A Walk Down a Snowy Lane

It's an Indoor Type of Day

Mush! We're on an Adventure!

One Night at the Lodge

Do you have better titles for these pictures? 

Enjoy! 

Rambling Friday: Let it Snow...or Rain...or Sun Shine!

Let it Snow!

Sure it's cold and dangerous and frustrating and miserable. But it's also beautiful and clean, fun and exhilarating!

So...enjoy your indoor projects: coloring, painting, sewing, reading, woodworking (in the garage, of course!), scrapbooking, writing, or whatever you love to do!

Or go outside for a walk. Go sledding with your grandkids or kids or neighbor's kids. Ride in an open-air, horse-drawn carriage, built a fort or a snowman, or whatever you'd like to do.

Let it Rain!
Sure it's damp and wet, with clingy, soggy clothes, messy floors and a spoiler of plans!

But change your plans. Dress warmly with rainboots, umbrellas, and open eyes. Watch the rain dripping off the trees or running rivulets down your windows, splash a little in puddles, lift your face and feel the gentle pelts of water. Remember the thirsty earth, the plants and streams, and the hot, coming droughts and be thankful.



Let it Sun Shine!
Ah, the sunny days! But sometimes it's hot; I mean really hot, and we sweat, feel sticky and lifeless.

Remember though, and enjoy the bright sun that gives life and warmth and opportunity to do things we can't during the rainy and snowy days. So...work on those gardens, sit in the morning sun and feel the rays on your face, lay on the blanket-covered grass and dream a little, Count the leaves on a tree and watch the busy ants march in a line. Prop yourself against a tree trunk and read a book or write in a journal. Take pictures of anything and everything, ride in a boat, swim every day.

Thank God for every day. Enjoy yourself whether it's snowy, rainy or sunshiny. Love, live and appreciate. We only have one life. Don't waste it! 

Happy days!

Sunday Morning Peace: Winter

Cold

Snow

Frozen

Peace

Berries

Sunshine

Winter.

Stay warm!

Sunday Sunshine: The Beauty of Winter

Beauty can be found in the worse, coldest, 

and oddest places...

Awesome Pine Branches Covered with Ice

A man and his dog

Striking aurora borealis

A warm light in the midst of the cold...

Sunshine on a distant hill after the storm

An historical, and simple wintry moment in time.

May you stay warm and at peace

even when it's cold outside!

Sunday Sunshine: The Wildness of Winter

The Wildness of Winter

Marvel!

Rambling Friday: The Personal Pros and Cons of...Snow!

Snow. Snow. Snow. Snow. 

The Cons:

Winter is COLD. Usually. That means SNOW is cold.

Duh.

Temperatures fall. 

Noses freeze.

Pipes freeze (sometimes)

Along with the snow comes sleet, ice and wind.

Danger comes in driving.

Slippery roads means wrecks and worse.

Slippery land, sidewalks, etc.

means falls, broken bones, bruises.

Bundle-some clothing.

Boots, and hats, gloves and coats.

Sometimes you put on too much.

Sometimes not enough.

Sigh.

BUT...

The Pros:

Fun times like outdoor activites:

Ice skating

snowball fights and building the forts of protection

snowman creating

skiing

snowmobiling

quiet walks

Then there's...

hot cocoa warming chilled hands

tasty soups warming your insides

toasty marshmallows

Smores

And...

playing indoor games:

Clue, Sorry, Battleship, Monopoly

and children's games

Puzzles, Word searches, Sudoku, Crosswords

Sewing Projects, Neglected Projects

Knitting, Crocheting, Scrapbooking

and on and on...

There's the warm, snuggly feeling of 

warm blankets,

cozy sweaters

and cute slipper socks.

Fun, furry hats

Sleek classic gloves and fingerless gloves.

Fancy, dress-up boots

Dutiful, work-able boots

Scarves! 'nouf said.

Can we describe watching the fluffy flakes falling?

Touching our noses,

Whitening our hair,

sending us to a dream world?

Can we forget watching the graceful skaters?

Or the children's laughing faces while sledding?

Horse-drawn carriage rides?

Children tasting homemade ice cream?

Puppies experiencing snow for the first time?

Or even the couples who are wrapped in their own 

romantic worlds while strolling?

Is all this romantic nonsense?

Maybe.

But it's my opinion...

and I'm sticking with it! 

Rambling Friday: This Wild, Wild Winter...or Not!

It's truly debatable whether the state I live in lives up to its reputation as a moody state. 




Ya'll love snow?
Then come on down, over, up to my state.

Ya'll all want 75 degree weather at Christmas? Sure, come visit.












You love rainy days? Or is it a whole summer without a drop of rain? Make up your mind.

Love storms, including lightning, high winds and tornadoes? You got it, right here!





You never know what this mixed-up state might send our way...but anyway it is, you gotta love it for the suspense and surprises! 

Enjoy the day!

Sunday Sunshine: A Wintry Picture Favorite

Beauty in the Wild and Snow...

Rambling Friday: Snowy Days and Cold, cold Nights

I went to bed last night with the sound of rain pelting the roof. This morning I woke to a white world: snow! And cold!

I love the snow; 

I've always thought it beautiful. 

Ice skating, 

snowball fights, 

sled riding. 

Crisp air. 

Ruby cheeks. 

Boots and sweaters.

Colorful mittens and fur-lined gloves.

Warm colorful hats. 

Snuggly blankets.

Cocoa and chocolate.

Fresh baked cookies

Mouth-watering soups.

Monstrous sandwiches.

Winter, beautiful, but cold. 

Winter, fun but dangerous driving.

Winter, a God-given season.

Happy winter, my friends!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and today is hubby's birthday.
So I'll focus on those two items. :)

I'm thankful for:

• a thoughtful caring hubby
• one who gives and gives and gives
• one who still reaches for my hand
• a man who works hard 
• he's strong and gentle and kind
• Smart and wise
• a man who still loves me in spite of everything

So glad that:

• God has given us so many years together and wishing for many more
• God knew what I needed
• God's protecting hand upon us.

Blessings!

Let It Snow, what?

It snowed yesterday. I mean, it snowed. Not those tiny little half-rain, half-snow dots that we get occasionally this time of the year, just to make sure that we haven't forgotten what the north is like.

But real, real snow. It was beautiful coming down yesterday. The first real snow of the year; big, fluffy white puffs of snow that created a magic world for just a while.

But this morning we've got less than an inch, but there is snow on the ground.

And cold.

Now I can take the snow (as long as I can get out sometimes), but the cold?
Forget it, I hate the cold weather. Not just nippy weather that brings a blush to healthy cheeks, but that bitingly, bitter, windy cold temperature that chills your very soul. Brrrr!

This has always been my favorite season, from September through December. Love to decorate, love to celebrate, love the cooler temperatures.

But have you noticed how different this year's been?
Very little rain.
Hot, hot weather.
Some cold, then warm, then hot, then cold again weather.
Unpredictable. Un-normal for this time of the year.
Finally, after months of no rain, we get some this month.
Now, this cold, cold and snow.


I think I'll go south.



Quote:
On the road to success, you can be sure of one thing: there is never a crowd on the extra mile.

Blessings

Winter Wonderland

Wow! You get any snow over the weekend? I have to confess the first, or maybe a few thereafter, is awesome. Saw kids out sledding and creating their individual snowmen for all passer-bys to gaze at and it reminded me of what fun snow is.

Remember the snow angels we use to make? The ice skating? Clearing the ponds of the snow and then that first skating session of the season? The bundles of clothing so thick you felt like an abominable snowperson? Remember the daring slides down hills that some people (NOT me
!) can hardly walk down now? (and hubby hasn't gone down that monster hill yet!) I use to even love to make my car skid on slippery roads.

It's easy to forget. I hate traveling on bad roads! I don't care much anymore for the frozen feel of fingers and feet! Laugh. Why didn't we feel that when younger? Did we just not care? Or did the blood flow faster?

Why does working on my manuscripts, reading, enjoying my fireplace, and inside activities attract my attention more now? Why, when I do go outside, does it take me 30 minutes to work up some enthusiasm? Why is it more fun to watch the lazy quarter-sized flakes falling then to go outside to taste them? What happened to my taste for snow ice cream?

Ah, don't tell me I'm getting old. I don't wanna hear it. I think it's just a different season of my life. I've advanced to a new realm (or whatever they call it) of my life.



Most of you will know these things, but they are great for those who have to drive in the winter (who doesn't?). Just a few ideas to keep you safe:

These are a given. Be prepared for the unexpected emergency...always carry a First Aid kit, map, ice scraper, snow brush, matches, candles, flashlight, warning triangles, flares, tow and battery jumping cables, folding shovel, a bag of sand, a blanket, winter gloves, cell phone if you have one, and an emergency HELP sign that you can put in the back window if you need help.

A blanket is a good idea--just in case. If you have any winter clothes you don't wear anymore, especially an old pair of boots, throw them in the trunk, too. (I love this idea!)

It's also a good idea to take along some extra water, for drinking and other uses. Non-perishable snacks are great to have, too.

Keep all your car's windows, mirrors and lights clear of snow and ice.

Always keep the air intake grill free of snow and ice.

Take an extra minute to clear all the snow and ice from your car. This will help avoid sheets of ice flying off the car and hitting the car behind you. Check that headlamps, turn signals, and tail lights are unobstructed by snow and ice


Quote:
The fountain of beauty is the heart, and every generous thought illustrates the walls of your chamber. --Francis Quarles


Blessings.