Saturday, February 2, 2013

For the birds

It is ironic that wintertime languishes and tempts me with hours to be filled, so unlike the other three seasons when the only other things you do with your free time are eat and sleep...
Poultry do not require much time in winter... a drink of warm water laced with apple cider vinegar and molasses and all the trimmings from soups and salads, mounds of warm hay and some cracked corn, and an airing out when the weather is feasible and a snug home is about all they ask this time of year. They don't venture far in cold weather; thus there is no chasing down a flock of errant guinea fowl at 9 pm to make sure they're all safely in the barn for the evening. Predators are less apt to be a bother now, as they too are snugged away except at dinnertime, and the snow gives evidence if they come close.

I certainly do appreciate the calmer pace... I've managed to read a book or two, which is unheard of during the growing season, and I just adore my time spent frivolously tending to Pinterest (ahemmmm..) I can find time now to create a bit more, and that is a luxury in and of itself. I hope you can make time too! I've posted a few bird-related images you may be able to use... they are copyright free from my always-growing collection. These particular ones were compiled by Nancy Rosin in the Memories of a Lifetime series. Enjoy!



Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.
John Boswell



Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow.
-  R. H. Newell



February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March.
-  Dr. J. R. Stockton




When the snow is still blowing against the window-pane in
January and February and the wild winds are howling without,
what pleasure it is to plan for summer that is to be.
Celia Thaxter



He knows no winter, he who loves the soil,
For, stormy days, when he is free from toil,
He plans his summer crops, selects his seeds
From bright-paged catalogues for garden needs.
When looking out upon frost-silvered fields,
He visualizes autumn's golden yields;
He sees in snow and sleet and icy rain
Precious moisture for his early grain;
He hears spring-heralds in the storm's  turmoil­
He knows no winter, he who loves the soil.
-  Sudie Stuart Hager 


There is a privacy about winter which no other season gives you … Only in winter…can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.
-  Ruth Stout


Out of the bosom of the Air, 
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, 
Over the woodlands brown and bare, 
Over the harvest-fields forsaken, 
Silent, and soft, and slow 
Descends the snow.
-  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

6 comments:

  1. Hello Laura, Lovely bird images shares! I love your poetry choices:) They reflect perfectly how I feel too... got to go find you on pinterest! it is a fun time suck isn't it?! love and hugs, leslie xx

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  2. Oh Leslie... how very nice to hear from you! I hope all is well with you. I must stop in for a visit! It is a different thing to have ready internet once again, but it is amazing how quickly out of the loop you become after being away for so long. Unfortunately, Pinterest has a wonderful app for the phone, so... well, you know! Thank you for visiting, Leslie! Hugs right back! xox
    PS: You see that crow button at the top left of my blog under the banner? Clicking that will take you directly to my Pinterest. Fair warning!

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  3. I just got out of the habit of following blogs.. I admit to getting caught up at fb and pinterest and truthfully, this last year, time was just scant for sitting around relaxing and visiting on the puter. I was glad to see you are still blogging, and happy i found you on fb and pinterest too:) lol! All is well here with me, thanks. How bout you hon? xoxoxo

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  4. All is well, and I love this lull I've had! And like you, blogs (mine included) have fallen by the wayside, which is sad, as I so love following along. It just becomes less possible as time gets filled in with other things. But the love is still there! Enjoy your week, Leslie! It's wonderful to connect again, my friend <3

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  5. Well it's healthy we have other things to do besides blog. But now we have reconnected in various spots and can keep in touch more often. I roared when I saw how many pins you had, Laura!! In a good way, don't get me wrong! That place is a wealth of ideas and handy to save links to things to explore more later :) You enjoy your week too honey. <3

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  6. Oh, I know it! And some of the folks on pinterest have literally over a HUNDRED boards and over 500 pins on just ONE board alone! I don't have high aspirations, but jeesh... I see how quickly those pins can creep up on ya! (wink, wink!)

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