Respite. Winter is my respite. That must seem odd for some folk, but I enjoy the long winter nights with warm fires crackling in the fireplace, giving the living room a soft, warm glow. The respite is from gardening, mowing, weed-eating, bugs, ticks and never-ending weeds. Much as I love gardening, if I lived where it was warm and mild year-round I am know there would be far fewer gardens and fence rows to weed-eat.
I enjoy the seasonal work and rhythms of four seasons, and the respite that each one gives to the other. Inside winter projects are mostly fun and creative for me. Spring is now on it’s way. It is nearing time to switch gears and get back out with the plants and weeds. I have sure enjoyed my winter respite.
Four seasons comprise a year where we live here in Virginia. Right now about four weeks remain for this winter season. This cannot go by fast enough for my husband. Winter wins hands down for his least favorite season. Summer is his favorite.
It seems most folk I talk to say Spring is their favorite. I have heard it said that the season one is born in is the favorite. Have you heard that before? It does not hold true for me.
I was born in summer, but I cannot say it is my favorite. When asked, my general response is, “The season we are in right now is my favorite”. Because of my enjoyment of photography, there is something lovely and unique in each season. Though I find it much easier to add layers of clothing when it is cold. I mean there is only so much to be taken off when hot.
Fuzzy winter-coat horses are cozy and warm too. The best hand warmer around is between a horses elbow and belly, or under a full winter mane and neck. Duke looks like a fuzzy black bear in his winter coat. High Hope is not as fuzzy. The minis, Snowbell and Raggedy, look like two little fur balls rolling around like a tumbleweed.
When the wind blows their coats shimmer and wave like tall grasses on the prairie. Steam blowing from their noses makes them snort and blow more. I think it makes them feel big and strong!
Blue and white are my favorite colors, so I suppose if I had to choose a season, it would be winter.
My favorite colors, blue and white, match the winter season.Brand new winter day dawning.Morning has broken.Duke, our ‘fuzzy bear’.Raggedy looks like a rolling fur ball.A winter visitor!I suppose if I had to choose, winter would be my favorite.
This is a hard word. As defined in my old Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (5th ed), consume is to:
1. destroy, as by fire…
2. spend wastefully…
3. to eat or drink up (food); devour…
Putting a nice twist on these definitions is not easy. I’m thinking of Scripture, God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29. Little wonder we are to stand in awe of Him, or more to the point, fall face down before Him—Woe is me for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips… Isaiah 6:5-9.
I know God is a loving God. He loved us before we loved Him. Yet we are to know how mighty and just He is, and not forget Who created whom. Glory to God for His great love for us.
Reminds me of the children’s song: Be careful, little eyes, what you see…
The element of surprise has never been wasted with Boo-Boo. As a kitten she would hide behind every corner in the house then suddenly leap out at the unsuspecting passerby. It was hilarious how it even sounded as if she said BOO! before taking a mad dash into hiding. She is still this fun and playful at nearly 9 years old.
Adopted as a little kitten from a farming friend who found her high in a tree, we brought her home with great joy. She filled the hole left by our older cat that had recently died. It seems she has always appreciated her upgraded status from farm life to house cat. She goes to the barn only if we humans and dogs are out there with her. She never hunts for mice or birds. She much prefers feather pillows, and quilts on the beds to cat beds.
She is a ‘dog-walk’ cat. Everyday she walks with Buster, HoneyPie and me. Recently she joined us for an entire 40-minute walk! Often she walks on the fence around our property, “talking” the whole while!
The dogs hop around and wiggle when I brush them. Boo-Boo? Stands nicely and purrs! Good thing she has long, thick fur, a feather weighs more than she does.
HoneyPie and Buster would chase her but she has learned “no running means no chasing”. If they get too pushy, she’ll swat them. Seniority goes a long way.
She is a fun addition to this family of animals that call our place home. Allow me to introduce her.
Boo-Boo our “dog-walk” cat.She walks the fence rows around our farm.Her thick coat makes her look big!Quilts and feather pillows are her favorite.Stretch time.Is it walk time?Balancing act!A quiet moment on her ‘dog-walk’.
one_local_gal 