#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, #Winter

Winter Waters

shadowleavesonlakeann

Good morning from the lakeside deck ~

As I awoke this morning, made my coffee, and walked outside to my sitting deck ~ I was greeted by a warm winter day. And the glorious splendor of Lake Ann’s waters reflecting back what lays hidden among the bare chested woodland hickory and oak trees.

My morning writing and photo ~

Roaming still
Winter held in greys
Holding time

#Christmas, #Winter

Merry Christmas!

shadowleavesonlakeann

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you for all of your continued support of my blog, Shadowleaves On Lake Ann. It makes a real difference when you enjoy my writing and leave me a comment or a nod. Thank you for taking your time to check back with me as I continue to grow as a poet. I still look forward to continuing to be amazed, here on Lake Ann! Nature surrounds us and poetry is everywhere!

#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!

#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, #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!

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!