aspiring player

He watches

and dreams

clump of snow

berries

planets of blue

dripping a miniscule world

turned upside down

red squirrel

happy go lucky little fellow

who frets not

about the trivial

manger's straw

Clinging to the cross

the manger's straw

Godchild of ironic humble birth,

through his death

my saviour

and yet my brother.

It is Christmas.

Lord born,

Lord crucified,

Lord rethroned.

Threefold divine plan.

sunbeam

morning frost on window

snow

When I was leery of the onset of winter

I had forgotten that white

is the loveliest of backdrops.

portal of light

Slight warmth causes drips

drips create spectacular sculpture

sculpture presents portal for light

light instigates admiration

admiration demands praise!

chick-a-dee-dee-dee

With the sub-zero temperatures

and snow covered ground

our bird feeders are a-whirr with activity.

woodpecker

The "Tweep-tweep" of the woodpecker sends me grabbing for my camera and tripod.

He is friendly enough that he doesn't fly off when he sees me.

Perhaps he senses that posing is necessary for being fed at this home.

first snow

skies have greyed

holly berries brightened....

snow pals

trees

Mere months ago they stood

clad in youthful gowns of pink.

Changed into frocks of green

hiding blemishes and signs of wear.

Buffeted by test and time

they dropped now shabby garments

and today stand naked

exposing all,

waiting for merciful mantles of white

to fall from above.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of how full of blemish we are, hearts that become petty, minds that become selfish. We drop the guise of beauty, we drop the pretense of productivity, we let go the notion of self sufficiency. We stand, naked, before our maker and wait for redemption.