 |
While it's been unseasonably warm here along the riverbank…it certainly hasn't been this warm! I made this indigo bunting image back in the latter part of the summer—and I think it's one the better shots I managed all year. I thought I'd save it to share on a special occasion. What could be more special than the start of a brand new year? |
Well, here we are…the first day of the first month of a brand new year. Are you excited? Apprehensive? Or simply indifferent to the whole business of having just embarked again on the great circular journey?
After all, if it weren't for calendars, almanacs, and all the media hoopla, none of us could tell any difference between yesterday and today. Nature doesn't give anything away by celebrating. The raccoons and owls don't spend the evening together drinking excessively. Squirrels never ring bells or toot on noisemakers. Cats don't blow their car horns, nor do police dogs wail sirens. Possums, thank God, never mess with fireworks or firearms. And though you might think otherwise, rabbits aren't prone to kissing any stranger they can latch onto come the stroke of midnight.
Nope, that's just purely human behavior. We are the party animals.
Some of us. Others—after a low-key but delicious late supper of shrimp sautéed in olive oil with garlic, scallions, salt and a few flakes of red pepper, plus some excellent blue cheeses, toast squares, clementines, and mint chocolate chip ice cream—fall asleep on the couch or sitting in the rocking chair before the fire, and barely awaken in time to stumble out onto the deck and stand wrapped in blankets, listening to all the firecrackers, gunfire, and small ordinance explosives the neighbors are setting off.
It was clear and mild here on the riverbank when the new year arrived. Stars glittered in the darkness and a waxing moon dangled above the western horizon. This morning it is bright-cloudy and, currently, 48˚F (8.8˚C)—though the temperature is supposed to start dropping by afternoon and the prognosticators claim the possibility of snow flurries throughout the next few days. Maybe winter is going to start acting and looking more like winter.
I would like to wish each and every one a happy New Year! May the coming year be one of health, happiness, prosperity and peace…and may at least a few of your wishes and desires come true.
———————
24 comments:
Thank goodness that because of fire restrictions, there is no indiscriminate letting off of fireworks and we are so far from all that jazz that here it was a still, albeit hot, night. No revelry to speak of , just a bottle of pink champagne with dinner and a mound of fresh cherries for dessert and blissful sleep . . .
I believe in the seasons not necessarily counting years by any of the variety of existing calendars. Going down the far side of the hill, it is the days that really matter not the years.
So, Happy Days to you and many more of them . . .
Arija…
Sounds like you "partied" about as wildly as us.
Yes, months are just manmade contrivances; and the season lost something when we decided to start them with equinoxes an solstices instead of the old way. Days are indeed what matter, one after another, in their slow, endless sweep. Each one is a gift.
Happy Days ahead to you, too!
Well, my friend, that shot of the indigo bunting is awe-inspiring, a great way to jump-start my life into the coming beauty of the new year. Glad to hear that the temperatures are dropping to levels you prefer in winter. Combine that with the fine food you have described and you are off to a great start for 2012. May the new year be one of new discoveries, even if they are discoveries of things long forgotten.
Personally, I'm more excited than apprehensive about the new year. I haven't the slightest idea, of course, of what will unfold. With each passing year, however, I have become more willing to embrace my fate, whatever it is, for I truly believe that things are unfolding as they should.
Happy New Year Grizz - and so we all begin again - although nothing is really new - aside from new hope. phew. I read on another blog about having a 'clean slate' - that is just not possible anymore - and for the most part I am glad that is true because there are things on my slat I would never want to wipe clean - and although some of the other stuff I certainly wish were not on my slate, those situations too are mine to face - it is all a blend of life - my life And so I move forward, sauntering in to 2012 with hope - truth - gratitude - tears - desire - contentment and the belief that every day is a gift.
Your meal sounded so yummy - as did your snoozing before the fire. We had a lovely meal, teriaki wings, arugula salad w/feta, chicken quesedillas and wine - mmmmmmmmmm. we were in bed at 11:30 where we watched the ball come down , kissed and went to sleep.
Happy New Years Day Grizz
Love to you always
Gail
peace and hope for us all
You summed up my very peaceful New Years Eve---foods were a little different but other than that, spot on...I'm going with the Moon and stars and nature this year. As Arija said "going down the far side of the hill, it is the days that really matter, not the years". May each day be a gift to us all. :)
George…
The weather here is definitely undergoing a change. We have a fire going and dinner slow-cooking…and the cottage is filled with wonderful smells. A good way to start the new year.
Compositionally, I'd have maybe liked things a bit different in the photo, though it isn't bad. But the bird and its color are just amazing. One of those right-time-at-the-right-place shots. And one of my very favorite images from the past year.
Like you—and for much the same reasoning—I'm looking forward to the year ahead. None of us ever know any moment of our future here—hour, day, month, year. The process of living continues moment by moment; the only place we live is in the here and now. We might take comfort from our faith and spiritual beliefs, but can't know the path itself—neither its length nor its twists and turns. And whether we view this with a sense of horror or adventure is our choice.
May the coming year give you many rewards—peace, joy, good health, and some of the answers you so diligently seek.
Your bunting is beautiful!! Happy New Year to you and LadyLove!!! Enjoy...
Gail…
That's the way of the round of the year…days and months and season, ever the same, ever changing, both old and new, familiar and unknown at the same time. Therein lies the adventure. And I'm with you, I wouldn't ever want to go into a new year with a perfectly clean slate. I'd like to have my debts paid, my debtors forgiven. I don't want to carry any more negative baggage with me than I have to…but I want to bring along all the good stuff I can cram into my bags.
I wish some things in my life were better, or different. I wish I were a better person—and I set out on this annual pathway honestly intending to work on my many faults. I wish…well, I wish for a lot of things. But I also know how very bless I am. Things could be so much worse re. my health and living situation, finances, etc. As amazing as it is, there are those who know me well and love me anyway. To love and be loved is such a blessing, such a gift. I have friends. I have the best neighbors anyone could ever wish for or hope to encounter. I can go to sleep in a comfortable bed with an abundance of good food in the fridge and pantry—and there are so many people in the world who can't come close to saying what most of us take for granted. I have books and the river and my old dog, clothes and a pickup truck that runs, a big woodpile, and…well a near endless list of blessings. I am rich by the standards that matter.
Am I'm crazy happy? No, though doubtless I should be, given all I have. But I sure don't have any right or reason to head into 2012 complaining.
Sounds to me like your meal was as good as ours, and that you celebrated well in your own fashion. I don't expect either of us will become the poster child for hearty partyers. :-D))
Happy New Year!
Angie…
We usually do the shrimp on New Year's Eve, otherwise, the rest is just whatever strikes our fancy for a given year. But always fairly light and informal.
You can't go wrong aligning your days and their passage with nature; I'm much more seasonal than scheduled—always have been. I don't know of many nature-oriented folks who aren't.
Yes, live in your days…the rest will take care of itself.
I hope this coming year brings you many blessing!
Giggles…
Thank you. It was really a lucky photo op. And providing you get things in focus, I expect it's hard to make a bad bunting picture. They are just so lovely.
Take care, live the life you want and need, and don't give up on your dreams. Happy New Year!
A very happy new year to you both - that supper sounds superb to me and yes - you are right - the birds don't know it is new year.
A Bunting on Bee Balm, hope to capture a photo of one landing on mine some day. Usually only see them at the bird feeder in early spring.
Wishing You and Yours Contentment and Good Health in 2012.
Weaver…
While I do enjoy the occasional "groaning board" feast, what I like almost as much is the casual meal of maybe one not-too-heavy entrée, fresh fruit, cheese, bread, raw veggies, (doesn't have to be all these things) and something to drink—dessert being optional. The sort of meal you can have on a tray, tailgate, picnic table, or almost anywhere.
Happy New Year to you, too!
Wanda…
I'd have to check, but I think this was made in mid-August. You know, I don't remember a bunting ever at my feeders—though I may have forgotten. I do see them in the spring—typically a pair—scratching and poking about in the yard grass. They never hang around long, though.
Here's something you might find interesting…I just noticed in the side yard near the cottage that several dozen the daffodils are up maybe 2-3 inches! Any idea what that means for their spring blooming?
I wish you and yours all the best for the New Year!
That indigo bunting is just as beautiful as the cardinal - like a jewel sitting on the branch. I look forward to the new year,there's no way of knowing what it holds of course but I'm always hopeful of good things happening and they will - there will be spring flowers and warm sunshine and a trip to Ireland to meet up with my old friend from NH and hopefully a trip to Norway. I'm a great believer in thinking positive:)
Rowan…
Thank you, re. the bird pix. They are pretty, and quite small—indeed like jewels. I was fortunate to get the shot.
Sounds to me like you have a fine and full year planned. You can generally count on the seasons, though they don't always show up when we expect them or conform to expectations. But that's the most wonderful part of this circular seasonal journey, that as familiar as the path becomes, it's never the same trip. And yes, optimism is the attitude; cheerfulness and a positive outlook seems to work a sort of magic on everything, at least occasionally.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Scribe.
We likewise eschewed partying. We returned yesterday from a trip to South Africa. The 24 hour plus flight combination is enough to dissuade anyone from the urge to party.
KGMom…
I can well understand your eschewing any sort of partying…just slipping into your own bed ought to have been celebration enough!
Glad you had a safe trip. Welcome home. Happy New Year!
I should go out and check my daffodils, before the snow gets to DEEP!
Wanda...
You should check, and then let me know. I have a couple of dozen daffs up 2-3 in. near the cottage. Bet they're feeling a little silly and cold today!
The daffodils are up here too, but most of mine are only an inch or 2 high. Early Spring???
Wanda…
Huh…so my daffodils aren't the only ones confused by our unseasonably warm weather—but you do have to wonder if they'll still manage to bloom come spring. And no, I don't think we'll have THAT early a spring, maybe a week or two, but not much more. I guess time will tell.
...a perfect shot of the Indigo Bunting. Wow!!!!
Kelly…
Thank you. One of those pure serendipity moments.
Post a Comment