An unseasonably warm day in February this week
started with bright sunshine,
drenched us in refreshing rain showers,
and ended with the brightest, most colorful rainbow.
Right in our very own back yard.
If you cannot find me,
look deep in the woods
amidst the moss and twigs and fallen leaves.
I’m searching for the pot of gold,
dancing and celebrating with the leprechauns.
It is the Season of Magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Your outstretched branches reach far and wide
as you bear the harsh, cold winds
and weight of frozen snow.
You wait,
and you withstand the torture.
Then,
when the breezes become gentle again
and the sun shines bright and warm,
you peek out
with little buds
that become leaves
and bear fruit and flowers.
You provide beauty and nourishment and shelter.
And when you can take no more,
you let go.
You drop your leaves,
and you welcome the chill.
And the cycle of seasons starts over again.
There’s a new bird in town visiting our backyard feeders these days.
The wintry colors and spots and the delicacy of the bird’s wings remind me that
and art imitates life….
that life is art…
and art is life.
What do you think these two were chatting about over breakfast?
They are the new bird in town. Looks to me like it could be the European Starling?
Any experts out there know?
They sure are bringing joy and beauty and artistic inspiration.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Mourning Dove – Mars, PA 1/12/16
In the silence of early morning
just before the break of dawn,
You are puffed up soft and fluffy,
perched and clinging high atop the tree.
What a bright, warm sight you are
amidst the dark and snowy shadows.
But your haunting lament belies
your soft, yet vibrant allure.
Oh morning Mourning Dove
what conflicting emotions you evoke…
darkness and light,
joy and grief,
morning and mourning.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Even in the shadows
of cold, gray winter days
the Rose of Sharon seed pod
glows with vibrant light
and hope
and promise
of pink and purple petals
and green leaves
and summer sunshine
if only
we are
patient enough
to wait.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Hi Friends! Charlie here.
I was really anxious to introduce you to one of my new BFFs, so Mom let me guest post again today. Yippee!!!
“Kitty” is one of my friends I look forward to seeing on my walks with Mom.
We met about two weeks ago, and now we look forward to seeing each other almost every day.
We live about a mile or so apart, but I know when I am getting close to Kitty’s house. I start pulling Mom looking to the other side of the street where Kitty lives, and Kitty comes running out from the porch to the edge of the yard to see me.
Oh how fun it is to sniff and cuddle and visit my friend!
I’ve heard some people say silly things like “fighting like cats and dogs,” and I just don’t get it….
Who wants to fight when we can be friends?!
Cat/Dog… Black/White… Male/Female…Republican/Democrat… Christian/Jew… Rich/Poor… Young/Old… Tall/Short… Thick/Thin…
Why can’t we all just be friends?!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
(For more blog posts from Charlie, go to https://lifeinbetween.me/ and enter “Charlie” into the SEARCH bar.)
Some days there won’t be a song in your heart….
Sing anyway!
-emory austin
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
For a few moments
yesterday afternoon
in my little corner of the world,
the backyard
became a great big snow globe.
And I thought to myself….
“What a wonderful world!”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Slippery Rock Creek, Western PA – November 27, 2015
“Don’t wait for
extraordinary
opportunities,
seize common
occasions,
and make them
great.”
-Orison Swett Marden
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS If you look closely, you will find my hubby in this photo. This was a beautiful spot we stopped at that he wanted to share with me on our way back from Thanksgiving in Conneaut Lake, PA.
Cherish the Moments!
Break of Dawn 1/7/16 – Mars, PA Crescent Moon & North Star
Morning has broken,
like the first morning.
Blackbird has spoken,
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing
fresh from the world!
Happy Saturday Morning!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 