#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”

#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, and I have never seen him smiling so much!

He is like a brand new Papa! We love our girls!

My morning writing ~

I walk across
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 fog begins to rise
And I’m lifted up to where
The sky-winds roam free
And in this one morning’s sunrise
I begin again
After a thousand nights have passed away
I walk along Galileo’s monuments
Traveling mighty eastern constellations
And wandering still
I dream of home
Where earth meets sky

#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!