Silhouettes

The sunsets have been incredible this past week. Last night while driving to see a couple of friends who live in the country, I noticed how beautiful the barren trees looked against the glowing sky. 

The temperatures have been fluctuating from high to low all winter. Last night it was warm enough for a bonfire. We huddled around the fire with our blankets wrapped around us and chatted away. The brightness of the stars that hung in the heavens shown down upon us. Our gaze went upwards in amazement at the beauty of it all.  

Not all beauty is lost in winter.  Sometimes we have to look a little harder for it or maybe not. 

The scarecrow silently points south

It is snowing here. We are in the midst of a winter storm. Yesterday the stores were packed with shoppers buying milk, bread, and cat food. Yes cat food.  

This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to get out and see the snow in its unadulterated form. I was donned with heavy coat, boots, scarf, and gloves. Nothing but beauty could penetrate my cumbersome exterior. 

I went to the public garden and witnessed a sun flower burdened with snow, it bends over in submission, much like we do when the weather is pounding on us with all its fury. 

A  snow covered fence and a lamp post add beauty to barren branches that were once filled with green leaves and surrounded by flowers.  

It is during these times that makes me think of a place far away...where the birds fly every year. The scarecrow silently points south.

Red Admiral: The Regal Buttlerfly

When I arrived home this evening I saw this butterfly in my yard.  I ran into the house as fast as I could to get me camera hoping that it would still be there when I came back outside. Today was my lucky day.  After chasing the butterfly around for a little bit it decided to stay put long enough for me to get a shot.  Oh how I love this time of year!  I wish that somehow it could be July all year long, well, at least the wonderful temperatures we have been experiencing lately all of the time.  I hope that you are having a wonderful summer.  

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

and find your shoulder to light on, 

to bring you luck, happiness, and riches

today, tomorrow, and beyond.

an Irish Blessing