Category: #Nature

#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

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

As I awake in a clear night sky and frigid temperatures there is Saturns’s starlight shining along the ridge. And I quickly go back inside until about sunrise ~ then with gentle blues filling the lower curtains of such a grand open sky. I bundle up and put on my grandma’s quilt over my shoulders as I sit out on my deck.

As light fills the sky and turns into colors, and then to clearly golden lights, I see the fog rising and swirling as it traveled alongside the lake currents. Beautiful!

I’m so blessed by this moment and I hope you too may find time to step out of your day long enough to hold a sacred pause of prayer and sight!

May we See our world differently ~

My morning write ~

Sunlight beads
Fog dancing on top
Sweet rhythm

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Record-a-Poem

A Cast of Thousands

shadowleavesonlakeann

There are brand new beginnings for our mornings now with our 2 new pups, Ms. Sweetie Pie & Ms. Ginger Bread, who are eleven-week old Crocker Spaniels! They were escorted by Mr. Les Barry from Alabama to us on Christmas Day, and given to us by Mrs. Sweetie Barry. Life changing for us, and my husband loves them so much, never seen him smiling so much! He us like a brand new Papa! We love our girls!

My morning writing ~

I walk on a sunrise morning
softly I rise
And tip-toe across the cove
to the other side of the sky
where there are soft stepping stones
in pink lace and pink pillow-tops
I float across the ridge
as the fog begins to rise
and I’m lifted up to where
the skywinds roam free
And in this one morning’s sunrise
I begin again
After a thousand nights have passed away
And I ~ still blessed
by life’s small gifts
to me

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Loving Spirit

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I step outside into my day with prayer and resolve to live my day in the spirit of thankfulness and God’s love. To truly Cherish my life and the moments that I have ~ to take time throughout my day in Pauses of Sacred Moments ~ time to breathe, time to hear, and then finally in time to see differently!

My morning short Haiku 3/5/3~

Skywind clouds
Green steely waters
Rushing through

~ Changing course ~

This I can do!

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Prayer, #Winter, Grace, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

I awoke very early this morning as the darkness of full “night-hood” kept everything void of light.

As I made my coffee and then stepped outside, the sudden smells of smoke greeted me. I put my mother’s hand guilted blanket around my shoulders to keep warm, and stayed outside for awhile.

I marveled at the number of house and yard lights, I could now see so much more over the hills, as fallen leaves have opened up both sky, and land to view.

Starting my day ~ my morning write ~

I contemplate God’s love for us, grateful!

Haiku 3/5/3

blazing pinks

slide across horizons

new skies born

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

Just over the horizon sit thin grey clouds but rising are faint blue hints of a new sky being born ~ the blue widens.

Two words, still have my attention this morning and I’m thinking they really are close cousins indeed ~ wander and wonder!

I am a wanderer ~ taking time to attention-ally STROLL through these woods, and gaze in wonder at what I find ~ by taking determined steps along my path, all the while, surrounded by gloriously beautiful Ozark hills.

My morning write ~

Breathe in

morning’s fresh warm air

take in ~ all its “symphony” notes

and know nature plays

and holds in a single cup

many songs just for you

to take with us along our day ~

hear the sunshine!

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

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!

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Summer, Ozarks, Poetry

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

#Lake Ann, #Nature, #Winter, Haiku Poetry Group, Written for NaPoWriMo

Rise

shadowleavesonlakeann

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

I sit somewhat calm as the air rushes in through the open screen.

Today is like a sudden gust of spring, the air is warm and swirling from the south.

It comes to visit like neighborhood children ringing a door bell and then quickly running away as fast as they can before the door is opened.

Some haiku ~

Light parade
Soldiers standing tall
Mighty woods

Morning sun
I sit upon air
Swings swaying

#Nature, #Prayer, Autumn, Ozarks

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

shadowleavesonlakeann

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Be still and know, I am here ~
God speaks to us in many ways
One is through the natural rhythms of nature
By being still and listening
By watching the morning sun rise
By feeling the crisp autumn air
By walking along a forested trail
We can feel the gentle flow of life
Tuning ourselves into God speak

#Nature, National Poetry Month, Ozarks, Spring

April National Poetry Month – day twenty-one #napowrimo #napomo

shadowleavesonlakeann

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I sit outside on my wooden deck
high in tasseled oak tree tops
overlooking Lake Ann’s sanctuary shores

Life draws me here . . .
like the call of a lone heron or the
delightful
sightings of returning birds
in full
migration

like calm gentle breezes
carrying soft Arkansas rains
rains
streaming over an open hand
then laying softly upon my finger tips

My favorite spot in the whole world
is here . . .
everchanging in every season
in every hour
in every light
in every darkness
in every sunrise
in every sunset
but all still the same

Tree frogs and bull frogs sounding their calls
like music melodies playing
all recognizable frames
from some now remembered childhood song

Beyond this place or time or space
a slightly new dimension evolves
beyond words, sight or sounds
untouchable
except in the now
this exact time
this exact moment

– living –

I’m surrounded by nature here
the trees are all around me
over the cove and mountain ridges
forested woodlands encircle Lake Ann
like a land bowl owned by the very sky
lands made up of a treasure trove in green
From Lancashare Irish green, to new shades unnamed

like a favorite Monet painting
revisited
sight unseen
yet familiar in every way

I can be here . . .
like a hearth’s burning wood fire
sustainable throughout the day
rebuilt again and again
so it lasts the whole night

– warmth –

I can be here . . .
like somewhere
understands
know’s you
get’s you
believes
in you

Where the storms come to die
and flashes right out of existance
suddenly passing

Where you regain your center
your bearings
your strength inside

– renewal –

like the gentle flutter of tender butterfly kisses
a soft call of prayers
a knowing of angels and God
all for being in such a place as this
where the world meets the divine
and your heart sees again

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

Morning Still

shadowleavesonlakeann

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I’m held here by a single moment
Stepping outside
Into the cold winter warmth

A soft morning light bathes my soul
In gentle touches
Sweet as sweet soft cheek kisses

Reflections of both land and sky
Shine upon a stilled Lake Ann
Out-stretching trees linger over its shores
Forever, falling into the depths below
But, soon this Escher painting will vanish too

In the distance
Canadian Geese fly through the cove
Leaving only echoes behind

An Ozark mountain sunrise moves over the ridge
And twilight blues
Turn into day
Leaving the world silenced and still

Oh, how my heart wishes to stay
Pausing in this day
For just one more treasured moment
Held in peace and joy

How thankful I am . . .
Gratitude floods over me
Surrounds me
Wraps its arms around me

I embrace this place
With each breath I breathe
Wishing again for a single morning star-rise
But, I must go