winter shadows

I love morning light, stormy skies, damp fog, wandering shadows, the scent of forests and rain, the rhythms of the sea, squishy yarn, simple things in life, time shared with friends, the dog on my feet, handmade gifts, and spending time with my son and granddaughters.

piano and shadows ©Diane Schuller www.dianeschuller.com

If you’re a fan of Mary Oliver, you may have already read this lovely poem of hers, if not many times over. Even if you are well acquainted with her words, this is worthy of a few moments:

The Sun by  Mary Oliver

Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful

than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone –
and how it slides again

out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance –
and have you ever felt for anything

such wild love –
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a world billowing enough
for the pleasure

that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you

as you stand there,
empty-handed –
or have you too
turned from this world-

or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

– – –
When I mentioned above that one of the things I love are shadows, it reminds me of different things: how the shadow from the wood shutters peels across my piano each day; how the shadow of trees curve and undulate over a gently rolling landscape; or how, on moonlit nights, everything in its path — homes, trees, animals — stretch their shadows across the night-blue of snow covered fields.

winter shadows www.dianeschuller.com

SOS socks www.dianeschuller.com

Finished! and I love them!

One of you left a lovely note on my last post containing a quote that had me hopping off to Google to find out who put it into the world. Author Melody Beattie is said to have coined the following quote, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” See, someone else also thinks it’s the right thing to love what we have (in reference to what I wrote in my previous blog post).

Sorry this post has stretched out like fresh taffy! I realize it’s a faux pas to write long blog posts.

We received two December dinner invitations the other day and another yesterday. Yikes. I better start looking at dates to have some people over too. How does the Christmas season sneak up like that? What’s your favourite way of having people over during the Christmas season (open house, dinners, drinks & appies, or …)?

Until next Monday may you adopt the pace of nature and the gentleness of freshly fallen snow.

6 thoughts on “gratitude and observances”

  1. I like the poem and especially the quote. I try to find a moment just before I drift to sleep to pause and think about all I am grateful for. It is my form of bedtime prayer. Great socks by the way!

  2. The sun on snow does make some beautiful shadows and light. I had not read that poem but I am going to write it into my notebook – beautiful words.

  3. What a beautiful post this is, Diane, and I just LOVE those socks.
    They look so warm and cozy.
    Over the holiday season, we always do open house-type things.
    Drinks and appetizers (and LOTS of Christmas cookies!).
    No specific time constraints. I just pick a day, and they can come over whenever they want, and leave whenever they want.
    I have done this for years, and it seems to work really well for everyone.
    Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend.
    xo.

  4. Not a faux pas at all to write a long post. I enjoy every word and image.
    It is rather brilliant to be able to view life through your lens and words.
    I enjoy having friends over for drinks and appetizers.

  5. Love that quote. And may I say that your pictures of pianos are wonderful. You have let me use several for my piano blog. I wondered if I may have a copy of the above? You would certainly receive credit.

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