Winter

Week Eight: flow states

50/365: here be monsteras

online021917_giant-cut-leaf-philodendron

The split-leaf philodendron (monstera delicious) is having a moment. Suddenly, I’m seeing their unmistakable foliage everywhere I look. I had to seek one out so I could create my very own monstera picture and was lucky enough to find one tickling the ceiling of the MN Landscape Arboretum’s sunny conservatory.

51/365: send me dead flowers

onlines-all-the-red-roses

I get that Rolling Stones song in my head every time I see a dried-up blossom. Truly, though, I think these roses got more lovely as they dried and shriveled. The colors deepened and the texture took on more character. I enjoyed them fully as they faded.

52/365: on the edge of see and through

online022117_dark-ice-grasses

There is this moment I love when the ice begins to thaw and the snow cover is gone. The lake begins to reflect the colors of the sky again. These colors makes me feel like I’m somewhere else, in some other subarctic landscape with a different view of the tundra sun.

53/365: old black water

online022217_open-water-minnehaha-creek

As much as I’ve been entranced by the ice, the sight of open water inspires a giddy feeling. This once static, frozen creek is now gushing and gurgling with life and movement. It’s the way we all feel when we cast off our layers after a long winter and feel the breeze and sunlight on our skin once more. It has an exuberance and charm that is always refreshing.

54/365: it’s all too beautiful

online022317_nokomis-open-water-from-above

Open water of an entirely different nature. This one actually took my breath away! In a burst of brilliant sunlight, the wind gusts blew across growing patches of open water on Lake Nokomis creating a wave patterns I don’t recall ever seeing before. Truly stunning.

55/365: fish out of water

fish-out-of-water

Sometimes I can’t resist being really cheesy. Kind of like a goldfish cracker. All I could think when I spotted this one on the sidewalk was that it looked really out of place 🙂

56/365: metamorfluxus

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We’re in the period of constant flux. 60 one day. 25 the next. The water performs a trembling dance between flow and refreeze, changing forms moment to moment.

wonderful world

Sometimes, I just don’t have the words. When that happens, I rely on other people’s. This favorite quotation could easily be my personal motto:

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” – E. B. White

blog031915_ice patterns76/365: ice patterns, refreeze, minnehaha creek

free bird?

This is one of those pictures that I didn’t get at first. Then suddenly I felt its weight. There is a moment – the space of an unseen line – where freedom is still possible, however precarious, and the choices are right there in front of us. Branches? Or bars?

blog030915_birdsnestwithbranches&bars68/365: bird’s nest with branches & bars

these days are numbered

It was written in the receding line of snow at our neighborhood sledding hill – the last day of sledding for a while. Maybe for the season. With a string of 50 degree days ahead, the world is utterly transformed.

blog030815_last sledding day66/365: sledding hill

Today’s post title is also the title of a song by The Head & the Heart. We fell in love with this band after seeing them play live at Festival Palomino last fall.

walk on the wild side

We froze our butts off on our walk yesterday but seeing this guy made it all worth while. He was a perfect subject, regarded us with plenty of curiosity, and let me get up nice & close. I love encountering my wild neighbors right here in the city.

blog03051563/365: juvenile red-tailed hawk

welcome snow

Zola & I were walking to school early yesterday morning when the first flakes started to fall. I realized instantly how much I’ve been missing the snow this winter. Soon the entire city sparkled bright again. And finding beauty all around me was easier than ever.

blog03041562/365: fresh snow on pine tree