#Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Good morning here from Lake Ann and where we have cloudy skies with warming temperatures ~ oh, how spring is trying to show us her face before her time.

A kind reprieve for us ~ where we can feel the warmth of spring to come and finally warm up, down into our aching bones! ~maybe we should call it a Leprechaun Spring?

My husband and I have lived here along this glorious Ozark ridge, on a high hill overlooking beautiful Lake Ann ~ as I am counting now, for 4,915 days and 55 ever changing seasons.

Our Arkansas has all four distinct seasons each year with each being about three months long. In February, I know we are now in the last month of our winter. However, we can get snow sometimes in the early part of our March spring.

This view is ever changing ~ its really never the same from day-to-day or from hour-to-hour, as it’s view constantly changes!

Always ~ amazing how simple life really is ~ when we take time to see the small things. . .

My morning write ~

What can I see and sing out-loud?

I try to hear a new melody in my heart~

Looking over the water and off to the eastern limestone bluff , gret

wind fans spark off of Bear’s Point

and far away sounds are of one lone old-dog barking

red birds flutter through winter evergreen branches

on an old-time rustic porch
a hanging wind chime plays in full melodies

all remaining fall oak leaves ~ who have certainly stayed way past their due ~ still rustle in the winds near

a groundhog moves down hill towards his home
plowing through a ladden hillside covered in a two-foot deep
mighty oak and hickory leaf fall

a male bald eagle flys straight over the main channel
out towards the dam site

glorious sites
a single day
a single moment ~
unsung
until now!

#Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Wishing you could be here in full sunshine and lakeside sparkles!

Oh, my and what a glorious day it is! Even though it’s brrrr cold outside, it’s warmth is quick to warm my bones and heart!

Blessings for this day!

Morning writing ~

fighting off
whispers of late night
lift thy face

heart warmth sun
even in cold days
quickening

still comfort
renewing spirit
soft blessings

#Nature, #Winter

Good morning from the Lakeside deck –

shadowleavesonlakeann

This morning I didn’t wake until about 8:15 am ~ well, some sleep I had. I’m outside sitting on my deck today in winter’s full sunshine warmth ~ clear skies and with blues everywhere! Glorious. Makes me want to go walking today ~ let’s do this.

My morning writing ~ Haiku 3/5/3

tap tap tap
red breasted nuthatch
foreigner

sounds delight
black sunglower seeds
full empty

house lady
morsels needed now
breakfast calls

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Joy, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I awoke this morning way too early to take our new pups outside. Afterwards, I realized the time ~as it was only 3:00 a.m. ~so I decided to go back to bed and put Sweetie & Ginger back into their crate for another night-nap.

We woke back up at 7:00 a.m. ~ much better! It was about sunrise over the mountain ridge when I walked out onto the deck and we had daylight with cold air and a light snow that had fallen overnight.

My morning writing ~
Winter sunlight rises over my mountain ridge
Touching the horizon
Bear Hollow woodlands are tinged in soft white snows ~
Tops of green pines wear a new crown of white
Hickory and Oak tree branches now standing in white
With newly paved snowways running along boughs, forks and mighty sky branches
Warm vapors swirl,
Move and rise over Lake Ann waters
Skirting
Dancing
Swirling
Waltzing in movements of a Danube
Such a glorious sight
Only to last
A few gifted light-rays

My morning prayer reflections ~
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy” Romans 15:13

“In your presence is the fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11

How do I find God and the Joy He brings to our hearts? ~
~ It happens when I pray
~ when I am just being in His presence
~ when I am still and just enjoying being
~ when I can feel His presence surrounding me
~ when I’m aware of my breath and as it calms me I can reclaim my spirit
~ when I see His love in others
~ when I see God’s face in this world
~ when I walk in nature or hear music
~ when I remember the Holy Spirit does indeed dwell inside me
~ AND understand again and again that the Holy Spirit prays for me everyday!

Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God “

How to do we try to live everyday with God ?
~ Listen ~ ~sit in silence
Surround yourself ~ walk ~ in God’s beautiful world that He has made for us and that we are made to take care of ~

Love each other and see the good that is in others and in the world ~

LISTEN ~
L / Love
I / Intentional grace
S / Sit at the fountain
T / Tattered souls
E / Excavate the moment
N / Nature’s springwell

#Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Walking in somewhat anxiousness and lots of pain today ~ going to be a slow energy day. Hard to cycle through the pain & anxiety ~

I step outside and sit on my deck, and then decide to put out bird seed, and suet for my birds, as a major winter storm is in our forecast.

We all are getting ready and prepared for the journey at hand. May your day be blessed, and may you find the energy to move forward today.

Spring

Good morning from the lakeside deck …

shadowleavesonlakeann

This morning started out way early with our new pups. It’s a great morning workouot for Leroy and I — from little ones greetings of hello, for immediate outside necessities, followed by eating every morsel of food, then outisde again, then finally in with warmth, fun play and naps! Sounds like a perfect schedule for me! Ha

My morning write —

morning stretch
highs and lows reaching
sleep finds me

#Winter

Good afternoon from the lakeside deck —

shadowleavesonlakeann

After a cold and foggy mornning, our day is finally warming and clouds are departing! Expecting to feel warmer today. I have had a hard time getting going today… trying to make good decisions with using my time. It’s a work in progress. Trust me!

My day is full of cascading tasks and to dos. However, I’m trying to squeeze in a short 5 minutes to do this post and to breathe.

My spirit is blessed today by Psalm 46:10, “Be Still, and Know that I am God.”
Living with God each day.

Love with intentional grace and mercy.

My writing:

abandon
escavate moments
linger still

#Prayer, #Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Surprise, we did get a sciff’ of snow last night about 9:30 ~ a fairy dusting of light powder, as my niece said, my grand nieces were outside drawing pictures in the snow.

I’ve been wanting some snow as we have missed most of it this year with snow storms going around us here in these northwest Ozark hills.

This morning, I’m thinking about Joy and it’s presence ~ and this is what I’m thinking. . .

If I step aside from my day, and take time to just be here, in this present moment, then I can become more aware of and open to God’s beauty, blessings and love that surrounds me every day.

I feel his presence, here and now ~ as His love and peace is here ~ inside me, and surrounds me at all times ~ for He is forever with me.

My writing this morning ~

Haiku 3/5/3

music air
heart holds believing
joy is full

I sing my song this day ~blessings for mercy, peace, love and joy.

#Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Oh my, we have an early start with our new puppies up about 5:15 am this morning! Sweetie & Ginger doing fine and are really growing in size and ~ learning new ways to get our attention.

Lots of rain last night and still this morning ~ the cold rain hangs in low clouds and cover most of the hills, to where we can barely see the outline shape of the eastern ridge. Looks like winter out there!

Then suddenly, I sighted the brightest blue spot in the oak tree nearest our deck ~ surprise ~ a lovely Arkansas Bluebird!

If you could only see it ~ you would just be thrilled how lovely the color blue looks shrouded in grey.

Wishing you a warm and cozy day!

My morning write ~

Hauiku 3/5/3
Blue and grey
Living life in actions
Moves forward

Hauiku
5/7/5
Blue grey sit side-by-side
Bluebird bright – spark delight
Winter’s hide-a-way

#Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

A seasonal cold front is moving through this weekend. However our temperatures should remain above freezing, so we will have lots of rain instead of snow or ice.

When all around us is being effected, we stand in a different world ~ only a few miles apart from the snow line.

I sure would have enjoyed a good snowfall ~ nothing like seeing our landscape in white!

New beginnings ~ fresh and unlimited possibilities ~ this day ~ even in the rain!

Ok ~ right now, I’m thinking I may even try my hand at baking a loaf of bread!

My earlier morning write ~

Dark night skies
Light – soft breezes flow
Touch my heart

Standing out
Cashmere grey landscape
In the pines

#Lake Ann, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Last night I went to sleep way early and slept most of the night, so after a long night’s rest I was ready to wake up early and be with the puppies playing and Dado getting ready for school this morning.

I stepped outside with Sweetie Pie & Ginger Bread and was surrounded by darkness of early morn and it was a brrrr cold greeting. Ha! We evacuated fast back into our warm home and I settled down with the pups laying on my lap and me sitting on the couch.

As the black of night turned into twilight with pale blue lights just hovering over the horizon, I kept thinking about all of the tasks I needed to do today. Pushing them away, I turned to my hands holding a warm cup of coffee! Warmth and calm.

About sunrise, we again stood on the deck and marveled now at the sudden changes as the sun rays began to claim day and touch the low clouds turning them into a blazing superhighway!

Short lived, I tired to hold this glorious sight in my mind and heart as I began to wonder about all the changes we go through and how quickly life can indeed change for us.

I’m reminded of how God is here for us and holds our hand along the way. Wishing each of you blessings of grace and love ~

My morning writing ~

Watchful eyes
Sunrise colors fade
“Still I rise”