This really touched home for me. Thank you~ the what ifs ~ my son is having bone biopsy for his cancer~ Tuesday~ the what ifs has plagued my mind over and over… after reading this and all the comments I am more at easy knowing I am not alone~ I had to see a Doctor for my kidneys and read on google he was an awful doctor ~ I was so afraid he wouldn’t listen~ the what ifs ~ I saw him he was so full of compassion and care I teared up in front of him~ I walked out into the lobby so relieved I should have said “you did it” you got thru this~ thank you it’s easy to tell my son we will get thru this together but my mind dosent go there when it’s me~ thank you for always sharing and your followers to~ thank you ~ I have to turn this around ~in my mind and say yes ~we will I will get thru this?
Ah, Catherine, the bigger the consequences the harder it is I think. I know for sure you are so strong and resilient even when you may not feel it. Especially your faith is very strong. Sending prayers for the best outcomes possible.
Karen, I have two sweet meadowlark pictures in my office, one from Candice and one from you. They are both in my office so I see them everyday. I left the following at Dandelion Seeds a few minutes ago and thought you might enjoy it too:
Your little meadow lark reminded me of a question I meant to research a while back, so this morning, I checked on whether they migrate and most of them do, but not very far. Maybe low altitude southern Utah and New Mexico. But the most interesting thing I learned is they are related to all the orioles, the red wing and yellow headed blackbirds, and a few of the shiny grackles. Who would have thought our little friends come from such an illustrious family? Now I love them even more.
Beautiful images and descriptions! That sounds like an nice encounter with that cardinal and a really nice photo. I especially like that sunrise photo as well. The good thing about the cold hitting those low's is that veyr likely it's the extreme and things will slowly and steadily get warmer. That cardinal may have been signalling that late winter/early spring is not too far off. :)
I waited for you to make the official announcement, Karen. Now it’s winter and your pictures and words remind us why it’s to be enjoyed, too.
Late in the fall, when the ground is free from snow, I wake up each morning and look to see if the world turned white yet. I want just a few more days without snow, but when it finally arrives, the snow mode machinery in my head starts whirring and clanking into winter mood and I become happy it is here. The world becomes smaller and closer, and filled with wonderful beauty that is fragile, short lived, and breathtaking. Doggo changes, too. She gets afterburners, bounds across the snowy fields, dipping her nose to make a frozen bow wake each time she comes back down to earth as she releases her zoomies.
Then we go back in and sit near the fire. If I watch carefully, I’ll see the plumes of steam from Doggo’s thick fur as she dries off by the fire and I smile.
And completely unscathed. Completely. I don’t know why, but I can’t argue the results. Not even flashbacks. We’re all blessed according to our real needs, not our Ferrari needs.
On Friday, I checked on my rv and startled a large flock of quail from under it, so to make amends, I bought a bag of chicken scratch and am feeding the little fluff balls. They somehow survived all those centuries without me, but I think they might appreciate a little extra margin to life in the winter.
Perhaps turning the disconcerting negative 'what if's' into inspirational positive 'what if's' would be a worthwhile exercise for all of us! I know I tend to breeze over moments of success without taking a little time to savor that feeling of 'I did it!' What the hey!?! I will be treating myself to homemade peanutbutter cookies and tea and a second look at today's pics as way to say, I have had a good week! And because I love that January 11th sunrise and the wonderful pic of the robin! Be well!
Savoring is definitely something I need to do more because I don't do it well! In my self compassion group we share a "win" every week and it's so helpful.
Wow, you got the real deal! We got a quick snow, followed by another long rain 🤣 But, winter snow could be right around the corner 🤷🏼♀️ So glad you were able to take these beautiful walks, and thank you for sharing your lovely images and experiences with us. Keep taking care of yourself! I don't know you as well as your biggest supporters, but I absolutely stand in agreement with them - “you always figure it out eventually”!
Thank you for the gorgeous photos and reflections, Karen. Where do you live? Is this a rare treat? Kudos to you for supporting your CSA! Small farmers need it to survive.
Thanks Cathy! I live in Kansas City. It's not rare per se, but we haven't had much snow for the last few years and this cold is unusual. I love my CSA! Fresh, organic, locally grown veggies all year long - it's amazing!
Yes, the weather has been quite unusual. We joined a CSA in 2006 when trying to eat mostly from local farmers. We loved visiting the farm. Then we branched out to raw milk, eggs, etc. Started a podcast called Our Natural Life to teach other suburbanites how to do it. Then in 2010 retired, bought a small property with a farmhouse, and raised our own meat, milk, eggs, wool, vegetables, and herbs. It was quite a ride, but now we’re back to the suburbs in Athens, GA.
I agree that the birds are amazing… it boggles my mind how they survive extreme temperatures… the cold and the hot!!! Your pictures are beautiful ❤️😍👍. Stay safe if you go outside in this cold weather. 🥶🥶🥶❄️❄️❄️
My wife and I were talking about that ability to survive earlier today here in southern WI, when it was minus 30 with windchill and a bird darted into a nearby evergreen.
So nice, Karen. I for one appreciate that you venture out in the pre-dawn cold to bring us these beautiful photos of a winter sunrise. Thank you!
Thank you Jeanne!
Beautiful photographs and timely words.
Thank you
May you return to health very soon Karen. These photos are stunning!
Thank you!
I love the photos of nature’s ornaments 🤗
Thank you! I couldn’t help but walk around thinking now this is Christmas.
This really touched home for me. Thank you~ the what ifs ~ my son is having bone biopsy for his cancer~ Tuesday~ the what ifs has plagued my mind over and over… after reading this and all the comments I am more at easy knowing I am not alone~ I had to see a Doctor for my kidneys and read on google he was an awful doctor ~ I was so afraid he wouldn’t listen~ the what ifs ~ I saw him he was so full of compassion and care I teared up in front of him~ I walked out into the lobby so relieved I should have said “you did it” you got thru this~ thank you it’s easy to tell my son we will get thru this together but my mind dosent go there when it’s me~ thank you for always sharing and your followers to~ thank you ~ I have to turn this around ~in my mind and say yes ~we will I will get thru this?
Ah, Catherine, the bigger the consequences the harder it is I think. I know for sure you are so strong and resilient even when you may not feel it. Especially your faith is very strong. Sending prayers for the best outcomes possible.
Love you Karen ~ your writing and photography really help me❤️
Karen, I have two sweet meadowlark pictures in my office, one from Candice and one from you. They are both in my office so I see them everyday. I left the following at Dandelion Seeds a few minutes ago and thought you might enjoy it too:
Your little meadow lark reminded me of a question I meant to research a while back, so this morning, I checked on whether they migrate and most of them do, but not very far. Maybe low altitude southern Utah and New Mexico. But the most interesting thing I learned is they are related to all the orioles, the red wing and yellow headed blackbirds, and a few of the shiny grackles. Who would have thought our little friends come from such an illustrious family? Now I love them even more.
Yes indeed, meadowlarks are in the blackbird family, as are orioles!
Beautiful images and descriptions! That sounds like an nice encounter with that cardinal and a really nice photo. I especially like that sunrise photo as well. The good thing about the cold hitting those low's is that veyr likely it's the extreme and things will slowly and steadily get warmer. That cardinal may have been signalling that late winter/early spring is not too far off. :)
Thank you Neil.
Stunning beauty captured again, Karen...really wonderful work!
So glad you commented because it reminded me of your post on sweet potatoes, which are now a staple of my new diet. I'm going back to read it again!
Thank you Jack! And now I'm really paying attention to your posts because I have to learn to cook!
I waited for you to make the official announcement, Karen. Now it’s winter and your pictures and words remind us why it’s to be enjoyed, too.
Late in the fall, when the ground is free from snow, I wake up each morning and look to see if the world turned white yet. I want just a few more days without snow, but when it finally arrives, the snow mode machinery in my head starts whirring and clanking into winter mood and I become happy it is here. The world becomes smaller and closer, and filled with wonderful beauty that is fragile, short lived, and breathtaking. Doggo changes, too. She gets afterburners, bounds across the snowy fields, dipping her nose to make a frozen bow wake each time she comes back down to earth as she releases her zoomies.
Then we go back in and sit near the fire. If I watch carefully, I’ll see the plumes of steam from Doggo’s thick fur as she dries off by the fire and I smile.
Lol, well you definitely already had your winter wake up call. Thanks for this beautiful imagery!
And completely unscathed. Completely. I don’t know why, but I can’t argue the results. Not even flashbacks. We’re all blessed according to our real needs, not our Ferrari needs.
I'm so so so glad.
On Friday, I checked on my rv and startled a large flock of quail from under it, so to make amends, I bought a bag of chicken scratch and am feeding the little fluff balls. They somehow survived all those centuries without me, but I think they might appreciate a little extra margin to life in the winter.
Awww, I love this!
Perhaps turning the disconcerting negative 'what if's' into inspirational positive 'what if's' would be a worthwhile exercise for all of us! I know I tend to breeze over moments of success without taking a little time to savor that feeling of 'I did it!' What the hey!?! I will be treating myself to homemade peanutbutter cookies and tea and a second look at today's pics as way to say, I have had a good week! And because I love that January 11th sunrise and the wonderful pic of the robin! Be well!
Savoring is definitely something I need to do more because I don't do it well! In my self compassion group we share a "win" every week and it's so helpful.
You share a win here every week and Do Not Discount That!
Wow, you got the real deal! We got a quick snow, followed by another long rain 🤣 But, winter snow could be right around the corner 🤷🏼♀️ So glad you were able to take these beautiful walks, and thank you for sharing your lovely images and experiences with us. Keep taking care of yourself! I don't know you as well as your biggest supporters, but I absolutely stand in agreement with them - “you always figure it out eventually”!
One or two degrees and it would have been rain. Thanks Sydney!
Your view of change was a wonderful reminder to me. I wish you some magical moments with yours as I do with mine.
Thank you
Beautiful pictures and your words take me there.
Thank you
Thank you for the gorgeous photos and reflections, Karen. Where do you live? Is this a rare treat? Kudos to you for supporting your CSA! Small farmers need it to survive.
Thanks Cathy! I live in Kansas City. It's not rare per se, but we haven't had much snow for the last few years and this cold is unusual. I love my CSA! Fresh, organic, locally grown veggies all year long - it's amazing!
Yes, the weather has been quite unusual. We joined a CSA in 2006 when trying to eat mostly from local farmers. We loved visiting the farm. Then we branched out to raw milk, eggs, etc. Started a podcast called Our Natural Life to teach other suburbanites how to do it. Then in 2010 retired, bought a small property with a farmhouse, and raised our own meat, milk, eggs, wool, vegetables, and herbs. It was quite a ride, but now we’re back to the suburbs in Athens, GA.
Oh wow!!
I agree that the birds are amazing… it boggles my mind how they survive extreme temperatures… the cold and the hot!!! Your pictures are beautiful ❤️😍👍. Stay safe if you go outside in this cold weather. 🥶🥶🥶❄️❄️❄️
My wife and I were talking about that ability to survive earlier today here in southern WI, when it was minus 30 with windchill and a bird darted into a nearby evergreen.
It's pretty amazing.
Thank you! I'm being safe. :)
Such beauty in the frozen.
Thank you