winter’s grip

winter's grip

New Buffalo, Michigan is not exactly known as a winter-get-away-from-it-all kind of destination. Especially if you live in Chicago! It’s about an hour and fifteen minute drive from our home and dear friends allow us to stay in their condo, so it has become our destination to celebrate our anniversary. This image, and the next, were taken on a cold winter day, when the wind was especially angry and simply did not grant you permission to take another step without wondering if your internal temperature would leave you looking like Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining. When I took this, I thought the sun might win, but the wind, snow, and clouds seemed to lock it away in some cold, celestial prison where they might play with it, impervious to the immeasurable heat and radiation. We loved it…. and had a great time.

trees and tracks

trees and tracks

This is the second of a set of three images taken on a hike that I took this past Fall. Sorry for the long pause between posts. We just finished up our Christmas production at church. Each year I write the script and coordinate musicians and other artists. On a sad note, I lost a dear friend who passed away suddenly. I also sang at a service for a young mom who passed away in our community. So, there has been lots of sadness, amidst the joy and celebration of Christmas…

bridge and stairs

bridge and stairs

I posted a similar picture of this location here. There are two beautiful state parks about 50 minutes west of us: Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park. This was taken at Matthiessen. We are experiencing the coldest winter here in Chicago since….well… since the beginning of recorded time, but I did enjoy the cold hike on the day this was taken. I would be interested to know which one of the two you prefer. Have a wonderful weekend!

cold rose

cold rose

Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons, and October is quickly making room for the coming cold of November and beyond. This was taken just outside my front door. Happy Fall and Winter everyone!

let go the summer days

the buzzing evening songs

and the corn so high

and proud

just embrace crispy leaves

the cedar scented sweater

it’s raining yellow

orange and red

dear cold rose

rest beneath

a wintry blanket

the dark cold days

just a bridge

to that wondrous

moment

then Spring