Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

ITS ADVENT SEASON

Two words come to my mind this morning ~
wander and wonder

WANDER, to move about aimlessly, no set pace ~ AMBLE / OR to proceed in an irregular course or action ~ MEANDER / OR an act of wandering ~ STROLL!

WONDER, something arousing awe, astonishment, or surprise ~ AWE/ OR a feeling of puzzlement or doubt, a feeling of awe or admiration ~ MARVEL / OR to be filled with or have curiosity or doubt ~ a WONDERER 

I am a WONDERER who loves to WANDER and to WONDER!

I am sitting out on my deck alongside the rail. I have moved all of my feeders underneath the Eve’s to protect the birds during the winter. So that means all of my feeders line up parallel to the deck front rails. Now I sit right beside the busiest highway stretch in town! I can hear and even feel the birds as they fly past, their wings fluttering and air rushing off of their tiny bodies. Their bird songs gloriously close. 

This morning I have the following busy eaters at my feeders: nuthatches, titmouses, downies, bluebirds, wrens, finches, red-heads and flickers, chickadees and even a Mr Pilated!

My writing this morning ~

Winter solstice is close at hand ~ wonder

Season of Advent opens many new windows ~ wonder

Birds busy with collecting and feeding ~ wander

As we await this Christmas day ~ wander

May we be busy with collecting and feeding ~ wander

Collecting, sharing and doing for others ~ wander

Feeding, hearing His words and being ready ~ wonder 

Preparing the way ~ wonderer

May we wander this Christmas season ~ WONDERER 

May we take time as we go and travel to listen too ~ WANDERER

May we take measured steps in love and kindness along the way!

Good Morning from the Lakeside Deck, Joy, Lake Ann, Loving Spirit, Nature, Ozarks, Winter

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Grateful for This day ~

How do I even begin to describe this morning’s soft light and cold settling air?

My morning write ~ it is . . . . . .

light filtering softly

bounded by oak & hickory trees

chasing grey haze and mist rising

carrying the mighty earth upwards

the loft of cold air smelling like

freshly cooked apples and honey jam

with underneath tones of hot butter sizzles

Now, how do I hold on to this moment? … to carry it with me throughout my day and to remind me of the mighty love I know I too carry inside me each day!

Fall

Pause

shadowleavesonlakeann

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

As I sit out on my deck this morning, I realize I need to keep my eyes and ears open to even see what is right in front of me!

We can miss so much in the moments of living. Too easily, we pay attention to our phones, read posts from social media and listen to the news steaming over the TV that we can actually miss our morning!

Time slips away and our morning and is gone before we can even get started. Careful as I go! Focus!

My morning writing ~

a morning sanctuary sits
in front of me
I touch earth and sky
here ~ where life meets the shore
shouting out glory to this day
as grace and beauty tumbles
into my heart
I listen closely and
watch miracuously to see

how can I not
but stop and stand
in pure awe
of this ~

open wide
these shutters and doors

open wide
this earthly hearth

open wide
my kitchen table

as I gather
all I can!

Fall

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Then It Was Gone

A marching band came by
this morning
in stark white uniforms
~ floating by ~
even steps throughout
left to right
in the middle and centered squared
marching all the way down the cove

I saw their feathered hats
tipped back
in great salutes
to the bright blue skies above
as they passed
right by
in front of the grand
viewing stands

I heard their last
music playing
as they trailed
out of sight and sound
on their way south
to join in
just another
popup parade

Summer

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Good morning!

Starting my day by Lake Ann ~ blessings for this wonderful Saturday!

I start the day out on my deck which overlooks Lake ANN ~ surrounded by hillsides all about.

Hummingbirds are already up and at it chasing each other through the high trees over to their treehouse feeder.

I touch the earth and sky here ~
My morning writing ~

grey white blue
unmasking the sky
sunshine flows

shaped by lakeside hills
living under a sky dome
I touch threads of blue

morning rise prayers
I’m held in a blue sky cup
my worries let go

Lake Ann, Nature, Ozarks, Poetry, Summer

Skylight

shadowleavesonlakeann

I live underneath a tree skylight

In a wonderland of woodland trees

Where spring waters flow into beautiful lakes

With ease and peaceful mornings

I touch the sky

Quickened sounds of birds & critters

Fill every crevice down sloping hillsides

Telling of safe maneuvers through rock & tree

With hope and comfort for coming days

I touch the earth

Summer

Sky

shadowleavesonlakeann

Step out into the sky …

Lash it around you

And hold it close

Swinging it to and fro

As you drop straight over

The White River bottom bridge …

Carrying the mighty sky with you

Listen to the meadow larks

As you watch

Giant double winged dragonflies

Fly through triple-wired fences

Strap summertime’s heavy sun

Next to you

As the wind carries you

And descends

Through tall grass rushes

Blowing along

Old Red Bird fields

Ride the Bright Blue Sky and

Fly the heavy Tossed Hot Summer winds

Traveling down country roads

Lite on sweet sunflowers & thistle blooms

As you make this

a most

glorious

high

summertime

day