Today is Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate love, friendship, and all things red and chocolate. I was the lucky recipient of a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Not only are they a treat to look at and smell, but I also get the privilege of truly admiring them and photographing them. I am amazed at the layers upon layers of delicate petals that spiral outward – all slowly opening with the light and heat in the house. At the days go by, the shade and coloring of the roses will change, as will their wonderful scent. For now, they are gradually unfolding and revealing their beauty and delicacy.
Minnesota
Lifeguard off duty
I got up and out of the house before dawn yesterday, in search of a photograph to show a Minnesota winter morning. The air was cold, but not bitterly so, and the wind was still. The eastern sky promised a bit of color so I headed to a city lake. Our winter has been cold enough, long enough to freeze the lakes and they are now a winter wonderland of activities. Hockey nets are in place on many lakes, snow has been dusted off to allow skating areas, ice houses are seen with people fishing, and even cars are driving on the frozen lakes. This scene caught my attention – the summer swimming beach is anything but hospitable in winter, yet we are reminded that the lifeguard is off duty, at least until the winds blow summer temperatures our way.
A perfect snowfall
Friday morning we awoke to a fresh snowfall. The dingy remnants of the earlier snow were whitened, the snow that fell overnight lay coating the trees, the wind was still, and the temperature was hovering around freezing – all the elements of a perfect snowfall. As I headed out the door to work, I made a “scheduled” detour to Como Park and the McNeely Conservatory. The lights inside the conservatory gave off a warm glow to the glass in contrast to the blue and white of the snow. And the snow-covered trees were sentinels of the beauty of this winter morning. In the stillness and beauty of the early morning it was just me photographing, and the snowplow driver clearing the roads and paths in the park.
A Christmas pause
The weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday have been hectic. Filled with things to do, people to see, places to go, packages to get, and the usual commotion of the season. The tree sat unadorned in the house for a week, asking for my attention. Then family came to visit from Kansas, and I was reminded of what the holiday is really about. My niece helped me decorate the tree; it now sparkles with lights, and the ornaments are carefully chosen in honor of people, places, or times of our lives. The packages got wrapped and wait to be given to those we care about. We filled the days of family with sharing, remembering, laughing, and new adventures — all those things that are familiar and special. And now that Christmas Eve is here, I pause and appreciate the family and friends that are important to me. May your holidays be merry and filled with love, and may good memories stay dear in your heart.
A reminder to slow down
Like many people I’ve been caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. So many things to squeeze into the next couple of weeks; we dash from one place to the next, eager to check off all those items that make up our long list. I headed out the door this morning on one of those errands. I did notice that the temperature was in the upper 30’s and it had been raining off and on – roads were wet, no worry of snow or ice. I mentally checked off all the tasks for the morning, and headed down the alley. But something caught my eye and interrupted my trip. A cranberry tree was dripping with the rain. Drops were suspended from the berries, each catching the gray light of the clouds around. There wasn’t any wind to speak of, so the droplets seemed intent to stay in their suspended state. I marveled at the beauty and reminded myself to be more focused on the world around me and be more intentional in appreciating the beauty that surrounds us all, no matter the time of year.
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