Dear diary...

I've been bringing in a mixture of things under my feet...  a bird's feathers, remnants of wet leaves, a tiny pebble, a nougat of soil...  It is no use... I cannot help it.  Rain, soggy soil outside, yet I find myself craving the outside.  Nothing can keep me away from the garden and the sacred light which shrouds it...

I'm thinking I need to do something like this real soon... I really do.        

Source: Pinterest

--------------------

After this morning's sudden downpour, cloudless blue skies.  And the trees surrounding our little white cottage are the silent sentinels of midday.  They are the visible guardians and the fortress protecting our humble dwellings.  

Surrounded we are, too, by invisible hosts of invisible worlds night and day.  

In the shadow of His wings there is rest, sweet rest.      

---------------------

This morning I went outside in a search for wonder.  Discovering little gift... flowers of the winter garden. 

  

Anybody knows what this plant here might be?

This is one of the cuttings that our neighbor Jane gave me when we moved here two years ago.  It has taken all these time to finally grow and now something is blooming out of it, but I have no idea what it could be...

             

 ------------------------

The waters running through the woods have left behind some very defined paths and furrows that have changed the anatomy of the woods...

The waters took with it an angel's wing...  the woods look magical under the bright green light of day.

The little creek has been running all winter long with all the rain we have had.   I cross the bridge that lead to the woods and my mind is racing in a thousand stories.   For a moment, I am the Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz lost in a world outside my own...  The little creek is a river.  Shall we cross it?  It is so peaceful on the other side...  

Then I wake up.  I find myself still standing on the same old bridge, I turn around and look at the woods behind me, look down at the creek, then down at the bridge again only to notice my ruby slippers shinning above the waters.  This is when I realize now am Judy Garland and the little bridge is the musical stage where I'm performing... looking absolutely stunning in a floor length ruby red sequined gown, complete with matching ruby slippers....  I hear myself singing.... 

           

"The sun is shinin', come on get happy, the Lord is waitin' to take your hand, shout Hallelujah, come on get happy we're headin' across the river, It's all so peaceful on the other side...."

OK ok... if that's too much I'll stop right here! ;)

------------------------

I decided to name my cat "Winter" because not only I've finally managed to bring him closer this winter, but most obviously for his lovely winter white fur... 

So Winter it is

I'm so in love   

Our little town is premiering its first Goodwill ever.  I visited it yesterday.  One of the songs playing in the store was this one here.  I searched for the lyrics this morning and thought it so appropriate for the season.... 

It's almost Christmas

Everyone is wishing

for everything they always wanted

And a beautiful, shiny winter wonderland

It's too easy to get tempted

Cinnamon cider, sparkling diamonds

Presents too big for the tree

So much shopping, there's no time left

For my friends and my family

Maybe we worry too much about wishing

And not enough about giving

'Cause some people have nothing at all

Giving is priceless

Random acts of kindness

Remember the homeless

'Cause this is Christmas

Give hope to the hopeless

Love to the loveless

Remind us to be selfless

'Cause this is Christmas

So let just spend some time together

And be grateful that we're safe and warm

That our house is filled with songs and laughter

We gather by the fire making s'mores

It's caring and sharing

All of the good things

Not taking anything for granted

That we have

Giving is priceless

Random acts of kindness

Remember the homeless

'Cause this is Christmas

Give hope to the hopeless

Love to the loveless

Remind us to be selfless

'Cause this is Christmas

Songwriters

GAD, TOBY / CAILLAT, COLBIE