The dawning of a New Year happens in the depths of winter, yet I choose to share this picture of spring growth. In this part of the world, winter is a season of pregnant anticipation. Seeds - new life - lay hidden beneath the snows and waiting for warmer temperatures that they might spring forth. This first day of the New Year is similar to that. The year lies before us - waiting. What will we make of it? The days and nights will pass. We will have the possibilities to love, nurture, and bring beauty to the world around us. We will be able to touch the lives of those around us and make a difference for good. It is a pregnant time - full of possibilities. May you make this a Happy New Year.
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The world was in shades of white and black yesterday. This is a color photo, but the world was covered in frost and shrouded with cloud and fog. Enjoy the wonder and beauty of it all.
Temperatures fall below freezing, icy winds blow, and snow blankets the earth - yet this milkweed does not give up. It still holds within it the potential for new life in the spring.
Will its seeds escape to spring forth into life? Will yours? As the sun settles to the horizon of another year many of us will reflect on the events of the past year and make goals for the coming year. While remembering the past and planning for the future are certainly beneficial, take care, for those activities may disengage us from the present. Live fully in the moments of today!
Change on the lake is late this year. That is a change in itself! The lake is almost frozen over, but it is at least a couple of weeks beyond the latest date it has frozen over. One thing I noticed this year that I have never noticed before is the wonderful harmonic sound it makes when skipping rocks over the ice. Still learning . . .
Some days when I get my cup of coffee and sit down and start writing (I'm working on the "Loon's Necklace" now) I start to feel like I am living in two worlds. My family and friends circle through my thoughts and actions, but my thoughts roam about the land of Eirgalon. It also gives me a sense of satisfaction to know that others are joining me as they read about the land and people of this world. If you are one of those who has read the first book in the series (The Land Beyond the Sunset) be assured that I am working on the next book and that it will be coming - I hope in the Spring.
I just learned of the death of a childhood friend in a car accident. We shared the same birthday and we shared the love of the outdoors. He grew up on a lake and I grew up on a farm. We went to a small rural school together for 8 years, and often we would ride together on our bikes as we went to and from school. I have some good memories of my childhood friend. Though our lives went different directions, I know he know he was the same gentle soul as a man that he was as a child. In the last couple of years we reconnected and he shared how he appreciated the nature photos that I share in my writings. Today, in his memory, I share this view of a lake. I know his family and friends will miss him, but I know that he will live on in wonderful ways in their memories of him. Peace, Jim.
The sun is near reaching the point of return! Only two days before the winter solstice and this sunset is far south on the western horizon. Even though winter has yet to settle into its harshest days, I find myself looking forward to the lengthening days of sunlight. Yes, there is a long winter ahead of us - but remember - Spring is coming!
As I begin another cycle of seasons in my life, I feel so blessed. I have an awesome family who are constantly bring joy to my life. I have wonderful friends who encourage and support me. I have had two long and fruitful careers and I am beginning my third, and I can say that I have seldom gone to work when I did not enjoy what I was doing. So to all who read this - thank you for being a part of my life and for allowing me to be a part of yours.
This was the view for one mere moment this morning, and then the sun was again obscured by the clouds. It was the smallest of moments, only seconds, and it was gone. Yet the image of it will stay with me through the day and will brighten my day. I wonder how the "mere" things that you say and do today will affect others. Can you make this a bright day for someone by speaking words of peace and forgiveness? Can you do a small act of kindness that with bring joy to someone's heart?
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AuthorJoel Kreger is a writer who grew up in Minnesota, spent many years of his life in Iowa and Wisconsin, and now lives in Minnesota. His life experience includes careers of serving 17 years as a Lutheran parish pastor, working 18 years as a public school teacher, and now writing as a novelist and blogger. Archives
April 2019
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