Sleet and snow

Once again the Cardinals
help to tell my story.

When the sleet began a pair of Cardinals
came to my office window.

Squirrels were in their feeder.
I was still in my robe and slippers.

The birds do not mind my hair uncombed.

They like me just the way I am
as long as I chase the squirrels and bring fresh seed.

Lunar Eclipse

We laid on the bed and looked out the window as
the Full Snow Moon began its eclipse.



As the eclipse progressed
we slowly had to move.



Finally we went outside.



I wanted to see total eclipse.

It is very cold. The wind is blowing.
I could only stay out for a couple of minutes.

Friendship brings warmth

The mail arrived.
In with the bills and invitations to parties
was a package from Lisa at Greenbow.
We are having a book exchange.



If you would like to join in please visit our Book Club.

Lisa painted me a bookmark.

She is a wonderful artist and a new dear friend.
My heart is warmed by her kindness.

I feel so warm I can turn off the space heater.
Thank you, Lisa.

Bringing in the heat

It is so cold today.



I need warmth.

I look to the red of the male Cardinal.

It is a watercolor day.

Even bundled up
and wrapped in my blankets
I am cold.

Full Snow Moon

The Full Snow Moon
rises this evening.



A Sharp-shinned Hawk
was nestled in the back forsythia hedge.

Much smaller than the Cooper's Hawk.

It is so cold outside I may not greet the moon tonight.
I may celebrate today while the sun is shining.

I stirred some co-coa into my morning coffee.
I wrote, " Three degees, Full Snow Moon, mocha and Hawks"
in my journal.

I warmed my apple and sprinkled it with cinnamon.

I need to bring in the heat.

It is so cold.

Still counting

Seeing the Red-breasted Nuthatches
is always a delight.

Watching them become more comfortable is very nice.



I was happy they are on my count this year.

The Carolina Wrens are also always a delight.
Seeing the pair was extra fine.

I am finished with my sheets for this year.
It was fun being part of The Backyard Bird Count.

President's Day

Today is President's Day.
Today is a federal holiday.

I am thinking about leadership.
I am thinking about symbols.

My morning meditation is with the rose.
It is the national flower of the U.S.

The national tree is the Oak Tree.

I could not find a national butterfly.
Perhaps it has never bubbled up.

Clearing the deck

Cooper's Hawk
cleared the deck.

He perched in the garden looking for lunch.

The snow has stopped.
The wind is gusting, 40 miles an hour.

I think he wanted me to go inside.

I watched as Cooper caught a House Sparrow.
He found a quiet place on the ground to have lunch.
I will change the House Sparrow count for today,
twenty-six, minus one.

Pep Talk

I have been encouraging the Cardinals.
They can hold their own with the House Sparrows.

There is plenty of seed for everyone.
No need to be concerned.

I have been talking with them.
Giving them advice,

"Slow down, be careful, hang on."

I do not think they are paying any attention to me.

Next

I awoke to a transformed world.
The rain had changed to snow.
The winds had sifted to the north.

The snow is wet and heavy.
It has coved all the little seed dishes.

Many Cardinals are coming to the hanging feeders.

They are taking turns.

I need to set up a queue!

One, two, twenty, thirty...

I am counting birds today.
Lots and lots of Cardinals.

They are feeding.
Some are singing.
Another storm is coming in.

The Northern Cardinals like to have
their own dishes of food.

Mockingbird likes his raisins.

The Starlings like his raisins too.
When his dish is empty he lets me know!

Ragas in minor scale

Thank you!

Winter is sending another love song.
Crisp arpeggios from the North.
Harmonic melodies
of ice and snow.
Yang before yin.

Lingering

I stayed in my robe and slippers
long after the bed was made,
long after the birds were feed.



I stopped and smelled each rose.

Organic treasures from sustainable growers.

I support the Rainforest Alliance.

Hearts and flowers.

I read my poetry.
I lingered.

The Lover Tells of the Rose in his Heart
W.B. Yeats

It was a Lover
William Shakespear

Familiar stanzas, familiar poems.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
William Wordswoth

...........And dances with the daffodils.