Winter Thoughts/First Day of Spring

Winter has not been easy. Three nor'easters in the span of a couple weeks, one which left many of us, including me, without power for days. Not fun. Well, maybe the first night when I hearkened back to my sailing days reading by the lantern and listening to the wind howling outside. Somewhat calming and even a little exciting. But it got old fast. Real fast.

The no power thing went on for days. 5 days total. Food went bad, the house was a mess, I was slightly bedraggled. I desperately wanted a shower. Yet tough times create good times. Many of us met at the local library to charge our phones, get on computers and commiserate about our dire situation. The misery loves company theory works. Strong sense of community. Yep, we were all in it together.

I've always had a serious romance with winter. I love the snow, the white on white, the cool crisp air, and the occasional snow day, Although I don't get paid to stay home, sometimes a day off in the middle of the week is fun. The forced retreat of winter, a hiberation of sorts - sits well with me. However, today I'm feeling tired of winter. Longing for spring, days on the lake, my bike. Spring starts in just a few day but I doubt that it will feel like spring. It never feels like spring until almost May. The seasons don't come along as written on my calendar. It has even snowed here on Mother's Day in May. Aargh! 

I soldier on. Planning a trip to Block Island mid-April for about a week and hoping that at least a hint of spring will have arrived by then. I could plan my trip later but anxious for time away. Fingers crossed!
Today is the first day of spring. 10 degrees early morning. We wait for more snow. Tomorrow.

This barn is just around the corner from my house. During the power outage I found it to be one of the few places I could get a cell signal. I spent lots of time here.

Winter Barn

Following the plow down Conklin Hill - Damascus PA

Along the River Rd - Damascus PA

Field across the street, early evening

My town - Callicoon NY

Sunrise first day of spring

Sunset in my hood, still can take my breath away

Morning light on the barn, sometimes it hits it just right

Sunset - Cochecton Center NY

Along the River Rd - Damascus PA

My favorite old gas station - Hankins NY

The calm before

Yesterday I was up early and out in the field across the street for sunrise. It felt like a gorgeous spring morning. Hard to believe we're in the midst of a winter storm warning just one day later. Hoping for at least enough snow to finally go snowshoeing. Varying weather forecasts (so who knows?!) but all seem to be in agreement on one factor - lots of wind! A serious nor-easter.  I'm ready - bathtub filled, water containers, flashlights, lanterns, wood fire, even a DVD film I can watch on my computer should the power go out...let it snow!!

February 1

Yikes! January has already slipped away. Fortunately, I'm feeling my romance with winter kicking in again. The few spring-like days made me long to jump on my bike or paddle my kayak, but now I wait for the BIG snow. I want to snowshoe and cross country ski. Soon...! I hope.

Wood fire roaring now. Hauled lots of wood inside this afternoon. There's still a wood stash on the porch, but I save that for the bitter cold days. Those are the days when I don't want to venture outside. Plus, the wood shed is a bit of a hike from the house.

Posting some photos of the frosty railings at Niagara Falls today. No leaning on these railings. Very icy. But their beauty was captivating.

Amazing that the paths in the town and around the Falls were completely free of ice. No idea how they made that happen, especially with the mist from the Falls flying around everywhere. It was all pretty magical.




I love this particular photo because you can see a rainbow through the railings. Lots of rainbows that day. Special.

That's all ice on top of the railing, not snow.

Another icy railing...this is my favorite.

January 27

Today is supposed to feel a bit like spring with temperatures climbing close to 50 degrees. Not expected to last though and we could see snow again on Tuesday. Our ever changing winter weather.

The little shed below is one I've photographed numerous times. A couple days ago I learned its history. I had taken a few photos and was stopped in my car on the side of the road. A super nice woman stopped by to see if I was alright. Turned out her family has a farm on the property with the shed. She told me that the shed was once part of a school. It was the outhouse! One side for the boys, one side for the girls. Small coal furnace kept it warm. Love the slant of light I caught in the door.

On another note, I'm curious if anyone (or who) reads my blog posts. If you are inclined, feel free to comment, even by simply leaving your name, or feedback. Thanks!!

January Thaw

Today felt like a spring day with temperatures in the high 40s. All of a sudden my romance with winter took a nose dive. I found myself longing for the sweetness of spring. Or warmer climes. Yet I know this is where I belong. Here on this hill, in this house. Right now. My life as it is. 

My mind drifted to one of my favorite poems -
about being, our imperfect selves, authenticity etc...

The House of Belonging

I awoke
this morning
in the gold light
turning this way
and that

thinking for
a moment
it was one
day
like any other.

But
the veil had gone
from my
darkened heart
and
I thought

it must have been the quiet
candlelight
that filled my room,

it must have been
the first
easy rhythm
with which I breathed
myself to sleep,

it must have been
the prayer I said
speaking to the otherness
of the night.

And
I thought
this is the good day
you could
meet your love,

this is the black day
someone close
to you could die.

This is the day
you realize
how easily the thread
is broken
between this world
and the next

and I found myself
sitting up
in the quiet pathway
of light,

the tawny
close grained cedar
burning round
me like fire
and all the angels of this housely
heaven ascending
through the first
roof of light
the sun has made.

This is the bright home
in which I live,
this is where
I ask
my friends
to come,
this is where I want
to love all the things
it has taken me so long
to learn to love.

This is the temple
of my adult aloneness
and I belong
to that aloneness
as I belong to my life.

There is no house
like the house of belonging.

– David Whyte

Took this photo after many hours of rain. Sun struggling to break through and mist gently rising. I am drawn to the color palette here.

After the rain...

The other worldly light after the rain. Many of my friends spoke about the almost mystical feeling it created. It felt like this...

Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada

I'm completely awestruck by the beauty here. This is my first trip to Niagara Falls (Ontario). With all the hype surrounding it as a tourist attraction, I had no idea what to expect. This is the perfect time of year for me with the absence of tourists. Yep, it's a tad chilly down by the falls, but there are places to get out of the cold. Treated myself to an amazing room at the Marriott - floor to ceiling windows with a view of the falls. Prices are slashed in winter because many people don't like the cold. Me - I have a serious romance with winter.
In my room, I feel as if I'm 'in' the water. A bit like being at sea. At first it was a bit eerie, but I'm adjusting just fine.

Here's a view from my room. 
Sunrise

The Falls

Many rainbows

The power of water

Sunset...

This is one of my favorite shots.  A great spot down by the Falls as you approach the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center was a perfect place to get in from the cold and grab a cup of coffee. I captured this photo on my way into the Welcome Center.

Such a spectacular place. I love my road trips!
All this beauty within 5 hours of home. Wow!!

Art In Sixes   11/18/17

Thrilled to be part of Art In Sixes once again this year. It's a small works show featuring an array of mediums and over a hundred artists. Needless to say, the opening was packed. Me, almost a recluse these days, had a fantastic time. Guess I needed some serious socializing! Plus, I felt proud of the pieces I submitted, probably my best group of work so far. All black and white photos and I loved every one of them. I can honestly say that I'm finally coming to grips with the fact that I'm a good photographer. Yes, I still have lots to learn but I'm losing much of my self-deprecation when it comes to my own work. Amazing positive feedback at the show, also sold one photo that of course gave me a boost. Actually, it was extremely touching for me because an artist whom I greatly admire bought it.

Art In Sixes is a yearly event at the DVAA - Delaware Valley Arts Alliance in Narrowsburg NY. A truly wonderful group of people keep this organization afloat and I suppose it's their incredible energy that made the opening super fun.

Below is one of the photos I chose to submit. It's a house I've photographed often on Block Island. An Edward Hopper feel for me. Love this house!