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lacy frost enfolds
a delicate heart open
on iced window pain
|
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the mighty winds blew
they settled then raged again
outside and inside
|
I’ve
been feeling a little blah, and sad and generally self absorbed lately; perhaps
house a-rest is getting to me. Hence not being the best blog neighbor. Having a
cold stirs up MS symptoms, and the irony of catching a cold (from my daughter)
while quarantined in our house (so as not to be exposed to the flu), didn’t
help, but it is kind of funny, in a laugh until you can’t stop coughing sort of
way. The blue skies and a wade through the snowy yard with our dog did lift my
spirits a bit. It was quite deep (up to my knees) too deep for her to walk, so
she did this leaping thing to keep up with me as I took a few photos. She was
definitely having a good time! Plus it is Adar, the month in the Jewish
calendar when everything is turned upside down... sorrow into joy. And really
how long can a person feel pitiful when the days really are getting brighter
and longer? Well it is a work in progress, like watching the snow on the roof
during the blizzard; I'm observing my thoughts, feelings and sensations as they come and go.
Just life, just what is, and also what isn't. Thoughts and stories can be
unkind and just plain untrue, but when one is in "that sort of mood" habitual
patterns rise up and in the moment feel true. It takes a lot of patience and
compassion to be with one's own inner storm, experience and faith as well, to know
these squalls are temporary and that that IS true.
**************************
This Shabbat in
parashat Terumah, we will read:
V’asuli
mikdash; v’shachanti b’tocham
And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell
among/within them. (Exodus 25:8)
I sat with this pasuk this morning in meditation. I turned it upside
down, (being Adar) impertinent perhaps. I asked God to make a sanctuary of me,
to dwell within. Feeling in that moment unworthy, knowing deep inside that this
is not correct. And of course the sensed response was “I already have...now
open your heart, soften your harsh imaginings about your self and make space
for my Presence to reside peacefully.” And I realized, that the things I beat myself
up over are most often things/thoughts that have roots in love. If I did not
feel such intense and pure love, I would not be so disappointed, or filled with
doubt and self-judgment. So yes, of course, I am a mishkan, a sanctuary,
suitable for God’s Presence to dwell within. Thank you to Rabbi Nancy Flam for
her teaching this morning that held me as this awareness rose to the surface.
may
love bloom in sleepy flowers
and
cloud filled skies of blue
in
your heart and
in
mine too
Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Valentines Day!
Linking to:
may love bloom in your sleepy flowers as well...smiles....the frost pics are so cool....i love finding patterns in them...sorry you have been feeling blah...i hope the sun finds you a bit today..smiles.
ReplyDeletei like the idea of two emotions dwelling on the inside of us. light and dark. waves of feelings. a thing that feels true, and isn't. it is what it is, and that is that. cold water thrown on a heart. faith, belief, and commitment, allow us to step again into the light and lift our eyes and hearts to heaven. a know a heaven in the firmament and our hearts.
ReplyDeleteGod is.
i love your photos...i love snow in concept and brief encounters ;-}...and i love wind....invisible elemental power, in part like God.
Happy Valentine's Day.
This too will pass...
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful words and utterly magical shots.
Oh, me too, Laura. Your words perfectly describe how I am feeling, waiting, observing. A month where everything is turned upside down. The knowledge that this too shall pass. It just seems to be taking a long time....
ReplyDeleteSpring will soon be here, Laura!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
Great post for the theme!
ReplyDeleteWow!Wonderful photos,thank you for sharing and have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I resonate with your words. My daughter and I were talking about just this thing yesterday; that aspect of having to quarantine oneself because of general lack of immunity. So frustrating-and a short road to just feeling out of sorts with one's self. In my own experience, I love the part where finally the frustration blows inside out and I see the humor and just have to laugh. That happened this morning--for both Liz and I. Perhaps Adar is the perfect tonic! Thank you for the interpretation of this week's parshah. So apt.
ReplyDeleteYes, He desires to dwell in us. And none of us are worthy, apart from His redeeming work in our lives. May you heal quickly from your cold and your MS flare, and may you see more bright skies in your future! (I love the little Valentine's Day ice sculpture that you found with your camera and your eye for beauty :)
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, it's wonderful photos, thank you for sharing and have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening.
Mormor
http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/02/14/himmelsk-a-ja/
Great catches, I like these delicious photos, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear and hope the blahs recede very soon. This is such beautiful photoseries - you share so much joy here. Sending best wishes to you today!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you Laura. I can imagine it's hard for you to succumb to human flows, the ups and downs of mood. You who are always so full of joy and giving it away. I get that way too sometimes, when I'm surprised that I'm human going through the same old downward spiral that i forget when I'm happy. But, slowly I'm learning to just accept, like you are
DeleteYour photos are exquisite Laura...thank you for your sweet comments on The Whimsey Asylum. Have a very Happy Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteLove your frosty little heart and chimney shot. Hope you are feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful in every way Laura, I do hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots for the day and I love your frosty windows! Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Beautiful winter shots. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's day, Laura.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and photos, thanks for sharing!
Hope you are feeling better soon :)
Happy Valentine's Day, Laura! Lovely post and photos. The drifts shots are cool. I am sorry your are in house-a-rest! I am sure it is for the best, take care and feel better! Happy Skywatching!
ReplyDeleteyes your photos are a little moody but then the flowers ... so there is also hope !
ReplyDeleteOh Laura I hope you feel better soon; I'm glad your pup got you out of house a-rest for a few magical moments. (The frost pictures really do look like magic.) And I'm embarrassed I was so facetious about the little bit of rain I had today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment earlier this week.
ReplyDeleteIntrospection brought about by a forced retreat is to be expected. Maybe this lumpy meteor passing us by has something to do with a downturn in spirits. Who knows. But you find beauty in small gifts from nature, and you are mobile again.
Laura, your Spirit is so strong and resilient. When you ask God to make you a vessel for healing, you connect with your deepest intention, LOVE. House arrest, MS, and cold or not, your suffering is the substrate for words, photos, and healing you radiate outwardly to the world. Even your body and house can't contain you!
ReplyDeleteStill, may your heart be open to all that is occuring inside you and may you know how much you are loved.
the snow piles made me think of those framed 'sand art' things. wanted to shake it up and see what forms would settle. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Laura - This is my first visit and I identify with your sentiments and have to hole up myself ("gee I wonder what happened to her blog - where'd she go?"). But me thinks after watching the news I'd rather be home sweet home than on the Carnival cruise line that's been stuck at sea with 4,000 people with no or little power and no sanitation facilities.
ReplyDeleteI really like you icy window that's shaped like a heart - cool! Hugs! Lessandra
Beautiful photos! The wind picking up that snow is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHope your feeling better soon ;)
Beautiful photos - I love that icy window pane.
ReplyDeleteSuch insight, I've learned to to bend with the wind and ride the ups and downs. Sometimes I forget though and it takes a little while to get back in the groove.
ReplyDeleteEverything is beautiful. The words and the pictures:)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures! Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful sky:)
ReplyDeletehttp://amitaag.blogspot.in/2013/02/call-beach-by-any-other-name.html
Wish you a very best weekend and thank you so much for visiting.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling good soon. Watching wind and snow and ice is a very contemplative exercise and your photos are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love your icy and snowy series.
ReplyDeleteThe shots of the wind blowing over the snow are awesome.
Thanks fot sharing and enjoy your weekend.
Excellent shots!
ReplyDeleteBaeutiful pictures!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my blogg, its very nice!! :)
Big hug from Linda :)
Beautiful nature artwork! Wishing you a beautiful day!
ReplyDeletewonderful snow pics! and thanx for your beautiful weekend flowers :)
ReplyDeleteI love the open heart in the frost, the dried flowers and haiku. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful photoseries of very cold nature... may your heart be warm and may you feel better soon! Big, warm hug from Holland!
ReplyDeleteFabulous photo series of a cold and icy day... may your heart be warm and your health improve. Big, warm hug from Holland!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous post considering that you are feeling 'blah'!! I was very moved by your meditation on sanctuary and Presence. Very intuitive and filled with wisdom! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and pics. Hope your health improves soon.
ReplyDelete{{ a lovely series ...
ReplyDeletepulling my robe tighter still,
i read & looked twice }}
"that sort of mood" feels so good when it lifts.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, your mood makes for beautiful thoughts
that you manage to say so elegantly ♥♥
Thank you for your nice comment, hope you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!!
Beautiful icy winter photo's/ HOpe you will feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos but a bit gray and cold if I may say so. But Spring will come this year too. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Laura along with your words. Feel better soon!!
ReplyDeleteDeep winter does have a way of making us stir-crazy, for sure. Your photos are incredible...one cannot deny the inherent beauty of the frost and snow, but we still long for warmth and sunshine, no? Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteThe "crystal heart" took my breath away!! Beautiful haiku!!! Wonderful post!! Cathy
ReplyDeleteWow! Fantastic photography and lovely haiku ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteThat delicate heart is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteTudo o que se relaciona com a natureza é espetacular...um abraço!
ReplyDeleteThe windswept snow is so very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wealth of inspiring words here...
ReplyDeleteso true
so timely
so important
thank you
Wonderful series, Laura! I especially like the series of the ice on the window!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend:)
Hope these feelings will pass and that the beauty and mystery of ice will help you.
ReplyDeleteFrosty.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
Mormor
http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/02/15/the-weekend-in-black-and-white-10/
Great post for the theme B&W too!
ReplyDeleteso liebe ich es auch Laura..
ReplyDeletedie Eisblumen am Fenster und der Schnee den der Wind durch die Gegend jagt
LG zum Wochenende vom katerchen
i feel so close to you laura as we share such similar challenges, stories and awakenings. be well dear friend and find renewal. as surely as darker days grow longer with the promise of light; we too will be born again.
ReplyDeletethe frost pics are so interesting..
ReplyDeletehave a great weekend!
WOW, deine Fotos sind ein Traum ...!!
ReplyDelete♥liche Grüße
Doris
...and great monochromes, Laura!
ReplyDeletehttp://amitaag.blogspot.in/2013/02/doped.html
Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - I am going to make a huge effort this winter to get some snow shots.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Cold surely, but you made it sound beautiful with the use of words. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sky Watching,Valentine's Day and take care.
ReplyDeleteIt is a gift--which you have received--to see beauty, even where pain seems to reign.
ReplyDeleteComplaining Morning Glory
Wonderful shots. Happy sky watching.
ReplyDeleteMy sky.
Thank you for the comment an invitation is exactly what I was going for!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots along with your words. Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteIrene :)
The photos of the frost are fantastic. And I like how the spent blooms are heroic for having survived the bitter winter.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics. I liked you snow heart pics LOL. I thought about stomping a heart in the snow like we did as kids.
ReplyDeleteLovely haiku Laura, but the best message was the one from the Almighty.
ReplyDeleteI really like the photos on the ice is melting and becoming liquid, exquisitely collect light.
ReplyDeleteI hope that your spirit calms and you find relief from your MS symptoms
ReplyDeleteOh Laura..I too have been inside since Dec unless it was a biopsy or doc appointment, but it didn't keep my husband from bringing something home that made him six for a week and me for almost 6 weeks. I hope you regain your strength.. hugs..Michelle
ReplyDeleteI really want to shake up the container of ice. And the second from the last really pricks my interest!
ReplyDeleteVery simple but impressive! I like it very much!
ReplyDeleteBest regards!
Thank you for visiting my blog Laura !
ReplyDeleteYour header picture of that stunning leaf in light is amazing .. pure perfection of so many thoughts I have about it. I can't help but smile from it's influence over me : )
Joy
PS .. I too struggle with many serious health conditions and I can feel so dreadful at times .. not only the physical side, but the emotional and intellectual side as well .. so difficult to escape such an over bearing influence .. but every day I keep trying.
What lovely images and such a lovely message too. Hope you feel better soon and get out into some fresh air!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got a lot of snow!
ReplyDeleteYour ice on the glass reminds me of being at my Grandparents growing up. In winter the ice and frost would be on the windows when we awoke. The only heat was in the living room. I loved trying to look out the windows.
Hope you are feeling better!
The 'snow mountains' remind me of the sand art frames that you shake and sit down to watch them form a new scene.. I'm so glad you came by to share on Weekly Top Shot #70!
ReplyDeleteLove the frosty images, especially the first one! Hope you feel better soon and are able to go outside again. Sending get well wishes, love and light :)
ReplyDeleteDear Laurie ... I was all prepared to respond to your bout of ennui/sadness what-have you until the very last line you wrote which was "Happy Valentines Day" ... which brought a huge grin to my face and warmed my heart. Here's a little story I think you'll appreciate and may very well brighten your always shining-in-there-spirit. When I was a very little girl I remember going to my grandfather and wishing him a "Happy Valentines Day" his response was that he didn't know that as a Jewish little girl I had starting celebrating "saint days." This was similar to his response when I was joyfully singing "The Battle-Hymn of the Republic" which we were singing in school assemblies... I had assumed, until he informed otherwise, that the "him" in this hymn was Abraham Lincoln :) At any rate dear, dear Laura - the buds are stirring as we sit - and something in your final wish - shone your clear beautiful light - so that I know, even without the good wishes I send your way - that you will be fine in this upside down world we all share. Happy Valentines Day to you as well <3
ReplyDeleteDear Laurie, I too have found that the late days of winter can be a very soulful time. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Hi Laura, My favorite in the photoseries is the one where the wind is lifting the snow. It looks like the tiny specks of white are reaching for the skies. Your photos make me feel like I am sitting with you looking out the window!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to become a little down during this time of year. Loved the windy snow images.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you're feeling a little better. Take care, rest. I love the series of snow shots, btw.
ReplyDeleteBut I love the images and the story.
ReplyDeleteWe do marvel at the natural beauty while stewing with natural chaos. When the two meets, we sip our divinity like wine ;-)
The snow shots especially are beautiful, especially the melting ice on the window. Feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the heart shot. Sorry you're feeling blue - hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteWonderful capture of the blowing snow... so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNice transition!
ReplyDeleteSorrows into joy, may you see more of it as your spring approaches Laura.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are feeling a bit blah.. a cold can get one down.. especially you with your other health issue... but colds do pass and so do snow drifts.. as pretty as they are and so are your images.
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated with the ice melting. Very cool shots!
ReplyDeleteNice clicks.. beautiful haikus..
ReplyDeleteA Rat's Nibble - In The Shadows
I see the heart...that is amazing. You have a good eye for the remarkable.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing shots. The one good thing about the winter weather is the amazing opportunity for cool shots it provides, apart from that, I am all about the summer!
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Beautiful shots of the snow and ice.
ReplyDeleteYour photography is wonderful! I am so sorry to hear you've caught a cold. Hope you are feeling better now.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Love that first one with the details snowflakes!
ReplyDeleteNice framed frosty windows!
ReplyDeleteNo matter your mood, you find such beauty in everything you see. That is indeed a gift. I love the little heart in the first pic. Feel better, dear Laura.
ReplyDelete1st- phenomenal winter's icy and snowy shots!
ReplyDelete2nd- dear precious child of God, in my faith, it's the season of Lent, in preparation for Easter. And of course, Catholicism has its beginnings in the Jewish faith. I hope you are soon well,at least from the cold. May your MS symptoms lessen as your cold diminishes. May you have light in your heart even when the sun's light is not available.
When you are feeling stronger, I invite you to visit my new blog- http://faithinabottle.blogspot.com
blessed be
Beautiful b&w images. I love the sparkling snow.
ReplyDelete