Sunday, March 2, 2014

A Gleam of Sunshine

It’s early Sunday morning as I write this and the sky is heavy with gray clouds. The forecast is for more snow tonight and our area could get another dumping because they’re calling for up to 14-inches. I keep thinking how much my husband would have loved this winter. He would be waxing up his cross country skis . . .

Yesterday was cold but mostly sunny. I had some errands to run but I managed to take a few images to share with you today.

 

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The geese are flying back north.

 

 

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I can hear their wings as they fly closer. It’s a comforting sound.

 

 

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A peek at the house.

 

 

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I love these two cedars. They are planted in the perfect spot to get the most of the setting sun and are thriving in this location.

 

 

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George loves when I am home on the weekends.

 

 

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He brings me tree branches.

 

 

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She brings me dead birds.

 

Miss Blackie has spent the entire winter inside. I had tried to coax her onto the porch with us on nice days but she has refused each time. Granted, it’s been a cold and harsh winter but I don’t remember her ever staying inside for so long. Perhaps she is showing her age. She has just lately begun going outside for small bits of time and today she killed a small bird and proceeded to play with it in front of me. I can’t fault her for what comes naturally but I didn’t really want to see that today. Or any day.

Maybe a collar with a bell on it?

 

 

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A Gleam of Sunshine

This is the place. Stand still, my steed,
Let me review the scene,
And summon from the shadowy Past
The forms that once have been.

The Past and Present here unite
Beneath Time's flowing tide,
Like footprints hidden by a brook,
But seen on either side.

Here runs the highway to the town;
There the green lane descends,
Through which I walked to church with thee,
O gentlest of my friends!

The shadow of the linden-trees
Lay moving on the grass;
Between them and the moving boughs,
A shadow, thou didst pass.

Thy dress was like the lilies,
And thy heart as pure as they:
One of God's holy messengers
Did walk with me that day.

I saw the branches of the trees
Bend down thy touch to meet,
The clover-blossoms in the grass
Rise up to kiss thy feet,

"Sleep, sleep to-day, tormenting cares,
Of earth and folly born!"
Solemnly sang the village choir
On that sweet Sabbath morn.

Through the closed blinds the golden sun
Poured in a dusty beam,
Like the celestial ladder seen
By Jacob in his dream.

And ever and anon, the wind,
Sweet-scented with the hay,
Turned o'er the hymn-book's fluttering leaves
That on the window lay.

Long was the good man's sermon,
Yet it seemed not so to me;
For he spake of Ruth the beautiful,
And still I thought of thee.

Long was the prayer he uttered,
Yet it seemed not so to me;
For in my heart I prayed with him,
And still I thought of thee.

But now, alas! the place seems changed;
Thou art no longer here:
Part of the sunshine of the scene
With thee did disappear.

Though thoughts, deep-rooted in my heart,
Like pine-trees dark and high,
Subdue the light of noon, and breathe
A low and ceaseless sigh;

This memory brightens o'er the past,
As when the sun, concealed
Behind some cloud that near us hangs
Shines on a distant field.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

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24 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

That beautiful, beautiful Longfellow poem - what comfort you must get from that. There is bound to be sadness in those glorious snowy views but I am glad to see you talking about it all and aiming to get on with your life - the only way. I have been there and I know it to be true.
Glorious photographs too.

Jeanne Walker said...

We have to go through the winters of our lives to get to the springs! I am praying that your spring will be restoring, renewing and refreshing...

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos ! Our Harley used to be an out door stray and now is an indoor cat she won't even go out on to the step out the door she is afraid of the outdoors now but she loves to lay in front of the patio doors and watch the birds in the yard . Miggs also brings us big branches it is funny how she is soo happy to do so lol ! This morning started out cloudy but now the sun is shining . We had a dusting of snow last night . Hope you don't get to much snow !Thanks for sharing . Have a good day .

Deb said...

A collar might help but then you have the worry of her getting caught outside on something. Cats are known to strangle on tree branches. It's a tough thing to deal with. Best that she stays in as much as possible. Loved your photos today. Deb

jinxxxygirl said...

Believe it or not...... cats with bell collars learn how to walk without ringing the bell! Lovely pictures..... I always loved hearing the geese. There was always something comforting in that sound. I think because it was always something you could count on every year.........
I like to think that someday memories of your husband like that won't make you sad but instead put a smile on your face......Hugs! deb

Dawning Inspiration said...

I think of you from time to time and send up prayers of comfort for you.
Your pictures of the geese and George make me smile.... the image in my mind of the dead bird.... not so much. ;o) My neighbors cat loves to bring presents like that .... oh so much fun to see (not!) Sorry you had to see that!! Blessings to you!!

Low Tide High Style said...

Such lovely photos, and that poem...sigh! Stay warm and safe with this latest storm.

xo Kat

Reena said...

Love the landscape images and their effects ... what filters, that is, if you used any? Sorry to hear about the coming snow. It is suppose to miss us up here in Maine. Fingers crossed. The sun is trying to peak out right now ... only teasing me!

Custom Comforts said...

What beautiful property you have. It looks like a home out of an English movie. Sorry you are getting so much snow. We have only gotten a few inches here in central Ohio and that is more than enough for me. Your geese photo is stunning. Who would think they want to go north when its still winter here?
Cindy

Sweetpea said...

Popping by to say Good Morning to my favorite country gal and "Hi George"! BIG LUV of these photos today, CG ... they have a vintage *tone* that's soooo scrumptious and those birds flying are particularly swell. Just sayin. Also clicked follow on your IG [i'm set to private but wouldn't be for you] as I've recently joined the fray ;>]] Best wishes with all the new white stuff that might fall - would trade you my mud at this point.

Sabrina Steyling said...

Beautiful photos!

Kerri Farley said...

Beautiful images Kate.....Yesterday and this morning was gorgeous here - but the "weather" has started moving in. We are only supposed to get 2-6 inches - not all that much ...but still.....I'm really ready for some GREEN to show up :)

alphabet soup said...

Absolutely a cat collar for that Miss Blackie - and one with two bells, so she can't pull that old trick of working the collar around onto her shoulders and thus stopping the bell from sounding!!

Beautiful Wordsworth poem.

Ms Soup

Steph said...

Your snow is all gone Kate? We still have MOUNTAINS of it. We're supposed to miss this one though...staying down there with you. Stay safe and warm. :)

Candace said...

Lovely! I, too, feel awful when one of my cats gets a bird. Fortunately, it isn't too often.

Debbie From Illinois said...

Lovely post Kate. Did you wake up to a winter wonderland?

Daryl said...

a collar with a bell is a good idea EXCEPT that it could get caught on a branch or something and choke her ... let the circle of life continue xo

jo said...

I can't believe you don't have snow! I thought you did. Unless those pics are from a different time. I keep thinking how much my husband would have loved this winter also. He was a snowmobiler and boy do we have snow!!! Spring can't come fast enough for this girl!

linmil said...

Oh Kate, Your poem (Longfellow's) touched my heart today. I understand these words completely. Thank you.

mrs mediocrity said...

My naughty kitten has been spending a lot of time indoors this winter, and he is still young. It's just too cold for him out there. I tried a bell on him once, because he was breaking my heart with all his bird-killing. I put it on the night before when he was inside, so he could get used to it, and thought he was doing fine. The next morning he went out and came back twenty minutes later, sans bell, with a look on his face that said, "nice try."
Sigh...

Tiggeriffic said...

Haven't blogged since Feb. 5th..Miss reading all my favorite blogs..I just love your blog and reading all that you are doing.. Loved the poem.. The babies are so sweet..
We have lots of snow here and freezing temperatures.. It was -25 this morning and schools had a 2 hour delay.. But the promise of Spring is near and on my calendar I have the bluebirds arriving last year March 17th.. 2 more weeks and hopefully all this snow will melt and we can have warmer temperatures..
Have a blessed day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

sharon said...

What a long winter we have had. We actually received 4 inches of snow on Sunday. It was sleet, then snow. Was a surprise to say the least. I think cats hibernate in the winter when the weather is too cold to be outside. Our cat would bring rabbits and moles inside of the house and the dang things were still alive. Talk about hilarious scene trying to get them out of the house. Have a good day and stay warm.

The JR said...

George makes me happy. Love seeing that beautiful guy.

Ms. Blackie is being a cat. They just have to do that.

Bluebird49 said...

Wish my hair was as shiny as Miss Blackie's coat---we're both older, but she's not showing it!
I had a good friend who lost her dear cat by her collar getting hung on something---and that was inside! I'll never forget her heartbreak over it.
Longfellow! He very rarely disappoints!