Happy New Year!

This clematis sent up two fireworks of her own in the fall,

the end of the year for her.

She sleeps away the winter waiting for her rebirth in the spring.

While our part of the world

is covered in a layer of ice and snow,

we plan,

prepare

and dream

about how we will spend

the next 365 days.

Happy New Year to all!

Winter apples

This bounty of glowing apples

 contrasts beautifully

with the leafless grey tree branches.

Capturing the moment with my camera,

I wonder why these apples have not fallen.

Nature continues on.

Luckily for us she is not consumed with why.

The royal Fleur-de-lys

This symbol, historically representing French royalty, is said to signify perfection, light and life.

I like the way it brings an ancient mystique to my barren winter garden.

Shine the light!

You're just standing there,

nothing special, overlooked,

 and then the sunlight finds you...

Wow, now you are spectacular!

Winter's magic wand

Winter waves a magic wand over the land, and behold, everything is more beautiful!

Your shadow speaks

The reputation of a man is

like his shadow:

it sometimes follows

and

sometimes precedes him,

it is sometimes longer

and

sometimes shorter

than his natural size.

French proverb

Protect your dreams

"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

William Butler Yeats

Take your dreams and prepare them for the cold.  Wrap them in burlap so they don't get crushed by the snow.  Tie them up tight so they remain intact and keep their form.

Once the storm has passed and the season is over, release them into the universe where they can become a reality.

Mr. Hitchcock would approve

The twisted tree branches against the dark grey sky create a sinister backdrop for the crow sitting atop the chimney.

"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it."

Alfred Hitchcock

Hey, rebel in the back, get in line!

The pond plants have been placed in the empty vegetable garden, their winter home, for more than a month.

Everyone seems to have understood what this hibernation is all about, except the one rebel in the back.

Maybe it knows something we don't!

A certain slant of light.

Leaves float in an icy bath,

their rich gold colours preserved

from the first day they fell.

The light shifts.

The leaves are now rotten and dark.

Perception.

I love it!

Uh-oh, someone kicked the wasp's nest!

   So, here we are, a week before Christmas and Montreal is snow-less!  I took this picture today.  Notice the green grass...


   This is a dream come true for many Montrealers and they are deliriously happy to have finally received the one thing that is always on their Christmas list - No Snow.  

Photo taken December 2010.

I remain suspicious,

nervous

and concerned.

Bring on the snow,

please.