I know some of us don’t really enjoy the winter. Some of us get a little blue when the cold sets in for a few months. Me? I’m lucky because I truly do enjoy the wintry season with the frost on the pumpkin, the snow flakes falling from the sky, no bugs flying around, and no sweat trickling down my shirt from outdoor exercise. While I’m out on my prayer walks I enthusiastically step onto the white, untouched snow fields, one of my favorite things to do, leaving one set of footprints and one set of paw prints behind me. But I hear you, those of you dreaming of spring, telling me to get over myself and to bring on that warmer Spring temperature. I can assure you that the promise of Spring is in the air, for we all know the seasons turn.

But I have a suggestion. Years ago my dear friend and mentor, Lenton, used to teach me, “Try to turn your perspective just a little bit, like your hand on a doorknob with a gentle twist that opens your mind, Joan”. Winter can be such a great time to meditate on new thoughts and new dreams for one’s life. Also a time to rest, like most of nature does. Perhaps sit with a hot cup of tea, or cappuccino, or snuggle up with someone you love and gaze into a blue and yellow flamed fire. Relax, read a book, listen to some music, dream a little. If you are lucky enough to have a view with snow you can admire the stark black and white photographic scenes all around you. Here in Louisville you can add a male cardinal sitting on a dark tree branch, a flash of brilliant red color, a piece of eye candy.

I love the photo above I took this morning out on the farm, across the road from Our Treehouse. I love the image of the snow covered road, the open gate down in the hollow. I stood there for a few minutes, thinking about my life, wondering what roads I will choose to travel this year. The snow covered fields are like an artist’s canvas set before me. Where will I go? What will I do? Who will be with me as I make my choices and share my life, and create each precious day with my Dear Creator? Which gates will I open and which will I close?

I walked back home to Our Treehouse, Reddogg by my side, my black boots stepping into freshly made foot prints going in the opposite direction. The house was warm and inviting. But once again I stepped out into the cold, to feed the birds some birdseed and the deer some hard, cracked corn. Pan, my cat, accompanied me down to the pond. He doesn’t care about the snow and rolled on his back, showing me his belly and making me laugh. It really is all in how one looks at things. It can all be so magical!

Later this evening I will walk back out with Reddogg, and take a dusky evening photo of the farm road and the hollow with the gate. I will share this picture in a few days. Share a little bit more of the magic, from a different perspective, the day moving into the night.

c   Love, Joan