Receive

Receive, receive
the snow, the sifting,
receive the patterns
swirling, lifting
across sear leaves receive,
receiving
the weight of nothing,
air's conceiving
tumbling crystals,
frosty moths
drifting down,
swept aloft
across the yard
and limbs receiving,
as the sun is gently leaving,
softness, softness
gently whispering,
softness, softness
now descending
through the trees,
upon the eaves,
receive, receive,
receive,receive.


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In Lieu of Flowers. November.

Leave us something of yourself,

sweet trees, indifferent bees,

spiders wrapping up a summer’s job,

now listless in the chilly breeze.

Leave us something of yourself.



Do not forget these eyes that traced

your spinning nets and pollened toes

and watched you love the sky’s bright face

with fingertips that rose

above the earth in garrulous green.



Leave us here believing

in the hills aglow, again -

and in a churning freshet searching

for what it cannot know,

but, then again,

knows.


It is this season’s yearnings

that foretell the bright returnings.


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Joy in the Rain

The rain pattered on my windshield. The park visitors ran for their cars. I continued to read the newspaper until I saw the following through my rain-splattered window. She was a football field's length from me. Still, you couldn't miss her joy in rain.



























Click on this image. Look into the shadows on the right.



I know what she's thinking. Was I ever so young? So purely innocently happy? Perhaps, not. But this child's rain-induced joy is enough for this day.

Update: OK. It was a little projection when I identified that figure in the shade as a crop-haired old woman. Sheesh. Looks like a kid of the male variety:0)



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Lauren and light . . . .

It pleases me so to follow that last post with one filled with light and love. My little grand niece, Lauren Marie, was baptized last weekend. I know I needn't label these pictures. Just think 'love', 'family', 'light' . . . .






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Gone.

We were gone for a week. The fox squirrels and red squirrels that gave life to my woodland backyard are gone. My neighbor across the street heard what he thought were fire crackers in our new neighbors' backyard.I have reason to believe these were gun reports.

Their property adjoins our property. Apparently they found the squirrels a nuisance.

I'm sick.


Update: I talked to the police and they've directed me to the ordinances covering discharging firearms and killing animals within the municipality. They agreed that an anonymous letter with copies of the applicable ordinances was a good idea. Then they said to call them immediately if I hear further reports. The letter will be in the mail tomorrow. My hope is that it will discourage any further slaughter of the creatures that drift between our properties.


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Flying

Our Town Memorial Day Ceremony




Pollen







TAPS


Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky All is well,
safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light Dims the sight
And a star Gems the sky,
Gleaning bright From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

This is where I am. "Looking Up" is merely recording visuals. People or insects. Clouds of moisture or pollen. For you who drop by, I turn and smile a knowing smile. The only caption I would wish for these pictures as they sift from the ether - is Gratitude.

Life flies. Beauty is at hand. Run, run! That's all. Sending you all smile upon smile from this sixty-two year old woman who has lived in the greatest country on earth and now looks back with gratitude and forward with hope.

When snow drifts the door . . . I'll return to your lintels. Fly! Fly!

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Ah, Spring.

From the ridiculous to the sublime. An interesting week.



Yep, I had to put this sign out there to stop the mayhem. Twice a year we can put unlimited trash on the curb. Stand back, folks. It's a jungle out there.



This was soooo cool. It's a Poison Hemlock moth who overwintered on a dirty windowsill ledge, just inside the screen. Can you believe the camouflage?



I think it's an aberrant house finch. First, for me. (Just did a little research. It's diet.)


My niece, Sarah, and little Katie. Wind, pinwheels, and spring. Sublime.




Katie's new sweet sis, Lauren. Yep, sublime.












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Through the Trees

Loudonville, Ohio. Where my brother and sis-in-law live among trees.


This is Tito. He likes looking at trees.




We took him on a ride in the country this weekend.





My brother took us waaaay back into rolling hills. He loves this tree.




Robin said, "Look up!" We did. Very different clouds.






"Draw!" said cowboy Keith.






Go ahead, click on the pix. I am arteeste ;0)

This one is for my brother. He looks at trees, rocks and people the way I do.



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Spring House Cleaning

This is what I've been doing rather than facing the garage and basement. I'll bet you'd have cabin fever, too, if you lived as far north as some of your fellow bloggers. It's good to be out-of-doors.


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Sure signs . . .

(To those not versed in 'swan ways' . . . that's a love bite. Not to worry.)











Light and Pollen. Spring.

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White. Bright Heart

Absolution

I was alone,
my small dark soul,
its wings hunched
beneath shame's weight.
The little light in the quiet
where I whispered sins
to the tired priest,
still rests inside that child’s heart.
Sweet sad light.

Today, I walked beside a lake
and startled when I saw the swans
released before the sun’s warm arms
have lifted leaves and grasses.

March is cold, but full of light;
a light that fills the outstretched wings
of a freed and joyous heart.
Oh white! White! White!
Oh white, bright heart!


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Spring Gratitude

The sap is headed sun-ward. At night - winter tries to pull it back.


I watched this fellow pruning sapsicles.





At first glance I thought he was gnawing on a bone, but naaah.



Is he cryn' ?


Yeah. Pretty sure that's a tear of gratitude.



Is that a happy tear on the robin's cheek, too. Alleluia. Spring at last.


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Ohio . . . . . Arizona . . . . Ohio . . . . Arizona Hmmm

If you asked these two winter-weary comrades - I'll bet they'd choose Arizona.









OK, wiseacres - you can come up with your own caption, but Chilhuly calls this 'Saffron Tower',



This pix is a metaphor for my winter-scrambled brain.



Another planet far far away. Sunlight, birds, faces that smile. Oh,sure, but find a decent mud puddle! Nah-ni-nah-ni-nah-na. We Ohioans have mud and you AZonians dohon't . . . ;0)


(Disclosure:0) We did get to enjoy a week of this very special place.
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Goodbye to All That

Pelicans

"Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill holds more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.
But I'm darned if I know how the helican."

Dixon Lanier Merritt
(1879-1972)


Addendum :0)

You've said such nice things. I've gotta tell you these pixes were dumb luck.
These pelicans were feeding right beneath the fish pier on Sanibel.
The light was perfect. It only happened once in the 3 weeks we've been here. Luck.
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My Wish for the New Year.More . . . . please.

More happy surprises.




More sunrises with magic in their promise.


More Mystery and the opportunity to go exploring.



More listening to the voices that say 'come in'.


More glistening tree tops


More beauty in unexpected places.



More 'firsts' and TLC from a caring hubby.




More chances for a bullseye.




More time to look at clouds . . .




More whimsy.



More please.

And more new friends while cherishing the old.

All my wishes for all good things in the New Year - to you and those you cherish.



...................................................................

Wistful Novemeber

Good people.

Good people.

November? So soon?

You bring your little candle to my door -

and ask for nothing

and leave

a smile.

Good people.

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Update:


I know that all your families face challenges
and heartache . . .

My particulars are a paralyzed brother-in-law
a farmer - in an accident.

An aunt who will always be the tomboy
that led us on safaris and later to Aida . .
now facing endings.

Because you asked, good friends . . .
The plumbing is cranky ;0)
The shoulder is creaky ;-(
Still - fall came with color and breeze;
and pumpkins grinning from porches.


All will be well.

Sending love and smiles your way.

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Clouds Can Only Temporarily Obscure the Light

Lovely. Thank you.

Thank you from my heart. All is well. I'm posting from dear Hubby's computer as mine refuses to speak to the internet:0)

Everyday is filled with gratitude for love, caring and modern medicine.

That you all have not given up on me is pulling my heart strings till they draw tears.

Really, all is well. I know by the time the snow flies I'll be joining the merriment, the thought-provoking commentary - the whimsy and celebration that is all of you.

Much Love,
Cathy

Gosh . . . .

Still here . . . .


Just a little preoccupied . .



You good people. I've not read my comments for a month. Thank you. Thank you. Things have been a little rocky and then whilst on Cape Cod my computer gave up the ghost after my shoulder 'went'.

Long story short: the Cipro for the GI business caused a tendon rupture. Please know that I know that despite the bod's infirmities - I am blessed, blessed, blessed. And now I'm afraid of being a bore, bore, bore as my shoulder issue becomes the center of the universe.

You are missed. You are wonderful. Wishing you a sun-drenched August, soft summer evenings, lightning bugs and all the languid, joyous things you dreamed of last winter.

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