The Third Act

Snow day

We finally got enough snow to create some good coverage. What a delight.  

Now we're getting a very light mix of sleet and freezing rain.  While I'd love to have had more snow, I can't be greedy!  This is more than we've had in a couple years, so I'm grateful.

 

out of the darkness

I'm still waiting for snow...for measurable snow...not this tease of a dusting.  Should I be careful what I wish for?  

Here in Richmond, Virginia, waiting for snow reminds me of waiting for rain in California.  You can go for so long without, that you end up being surprised when some actually arrives.  I'm sure climate change is affecting all of us in our anticipation, both good and bad, of weather events.

All that being said, spring is right around the corner.  Out of the dormancy and darkness, new life will emerge.  At least in that, in some form or fashion, we can feel reasonable confidence.

 

 

 

a very cold morning...

We got a dusting of snow last night.  It was lovely to see out my window in the dawn hours.  

Now the sun is out and even though the wind is blowing bitter cold, the white is disappearing pretty quickly.

There's another potential chance for snow on Sunday.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed as I'd love to see things covered more completely.

 

 

 

Waiting...

Waiting for snow...for spring...to get the vaccine...to visit my family, my peeps, on the other coast.  The past many months have entailed a lot of waiting...you'd think I'd be more patient.  In truth, I am patient...but tired too.  Things change...and then they change again.  Nothing stays the same no matter how suspended my animation feels.

 

 

 

drifting in a sea of ambivalence

My creative drive, inspiration, motivation, you name it, has taken a dive.  I'm not worried about the fact...just slightly frustrated.  The winter carries on, and does so without snow...just gray wetness.  COVID carries on, with a glimmer of hope but seemingly on a very distant horizon.

There are brief risings to the surface of ideas.  But it's just a quick gulp of air and then back down again.

I'll be patient.  I'll record mundane scenes and look forward to more inspired days.

 

 

 

Sunday

I pulled some cards, lit a candle and had Dragonwell tea in one of my Christmas present cups.  Here's to bringing a little magic into our lives.

I really do need to get in the garden today (that's another kind of magic).  A little more leaf containment would be good.  It's cold again, but not quite as cold as yesterday.  And the sunshine is simply glorious.  There's a chance for some frozen precipitation this week...do I dare to hope??

 

 

 

Saturday

Sitting by the fire on this chilly January morning.  I release the braids that kept my hair in check throughout the night.  It's still my opinion that I look better with very short hair, but at the same time, there's a playfulness that comes from having it long.  Some day I'll crop it off again, I'm sure.  The warmth of having it long in winter is a plus, so it stays as is for a few more months at least.

 

 

 

 

a bright spot in winter

My creative energy continues to lie dormant.  That being said, there are some ideas percolating (or would that be sprouting?).  The winter light in the morning, streaming through my dining room windows, continues to grab my attention however.

I realized how weird and stream of consciousness (for lack of a better way to frame it) my attention gets when I have a camera in my hands.  Not all the time, but sometimes.  "Oh, look at that shadow, I'll go over there!" "Oh, what about that reflection, let me play with that!"  Unfortunately, as far as a body of bona fide work goes, it doesn't amount to much.  But as I say that, I also realize it's just part of the process.  And it's better to get excited about something than nothing, no matter how silly it seems.

 

 

 

four long years

Four long, painful years have finally ended.  Things are far from perfect, but I feel I can trust a little bit again.  It feels good to have folks in charge who seem to be better equipped for the job.

It was emotional to watch the ceremony today.  There's a lot of different stuff wrapped up in that emotion, to be sure.

 

 

 

Monday

Seed catalogs and sleeping dogs.  The dryer hums; every once in a while a crackle emits from the wood stove. 

Morning appointment online long finished, leaving lots to ponder.

Where did my creative drive go?  It's winter dormancy, perhaps, just like the trees outside my window.  

It will be back, as surely as the daffodils (already poking through the mulch) will bloom in time.

At least, I hope.