Winter Trees

Winter Trees

by William Carlos Williams
~~

All the complicated details

of the attiring and

the disattiring are completed!

A liquid moon

moves gently among

the long branches.

Thus having prepared their buds

against a sure winter

the wise trees

stand sleeping in the cold. 

 It is just too cold, too wet, and too icy in the Hollow today.  G is smoking us out of the house, though, by lighting the wood stove for the first time this season.  I'd like to say that the girls and I sitting back, eating chili, and reading poetry, but that would be a flat out lie.  They are playing Roblox, turning their noses up at my chili, and asking for ice cream instead.  And so it goes.   

Frog Hollow Skies

We finally have the first measurable snow on the ground since Halloween.  Now, the sky is spitting icy rain, and the lane looks treacherous.  The girls have birthday parties this afternoon, and we're hoping we can make them.

At least we have had some beautiful sunrises lately.  The two pictures below (in no way edited!) were taken about two weeks ago from our deck.  You can't beat this view!

9th Day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me -- a morning to myself!  He and the kids are off to my sister's house, and I'm here alone left to be sure that we are ready to face the world again tomorrow.  Yes, Winter Break officially ends today.  So, on this day of cleaning, organizing, preparing, and planning, I will reflect a bit on how I can aspire to what are called the nine "Fruits of the Holy Spirit," from Paul's letter to the Galatians:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~ 5:22-23

I could certainly use a lot more of each of these, especially as I face 2012.  Couldn't we all?

Here's the view off our deck this morning ~ beauty in a twisted, tangled mess of Mother Nature ~

6th Day of Christmas

On the sixth day of Christmas, Mama gave to us . . . a trip to Hanover, PA!  We met up with my dad and headed north to the hometown of our favorite Utz Potato Chips.  We ate a nice lunch at Dutch Country Restaurant, shopped a bit at Big Lots, and then headed a tad south of town for a quick visit to the Hanover Shoe Farms.  Anyone can visit the barns as they are open to the public during all daylight hours.  One of the handlers told us to come back in two weeks when the mamas we saw would start having their foals.  Since they have over three hundred mares, they start early!

On the way home, we were treated to some beautiful skies ~

glowing Harpers Ferry

A Few Seasons Later

Summer, autumn, now winter . . . been way too long, I know. These two are keeping me busy. But I have high hopes of writing again soon. In the meantime, for all my friends who haven't ever read my silly ramblings, check out my posts from what seems like eons ago!

Snowy Moon

Looking south off the Antietam Bridge at the Ironworks

The Hillenbruck Farm (now a B&B) from Harpers Ferry Road

These were our views this morning on our way to school and work. Sarah Grace always asks about the moon, "Why does it follow us everywhere, Mama?"

Today it followed us with good luck -- a big job at work complete, successful eye surgery for my mom, finally some good news about funding for surgery for my dad, and my sister both sold her house and bought a new one.

Thanks, Miss Wintry Luna.

Icicles

Nothing much to write about today, but just want to show off these magnificent icicles, which can be found across the rivers (right at the confluence) from Harpers Ferry on our road at the railroad bridge. They are a result of the spring waters from Maryland Heights. Awesome. And the girls are fascinated by them.