Io, hand made ceramic sculpture, one of a kind, by Tammy Vitale
I looked at the calendar this morning and see that it is crammed full. And next week, Wednesday, I am off on retreat for 7 days – which is ultimately about relaxing and getting in touch with myself but acutely about taking 7 days out of my regularly scheduled life. "Going home" as Clarissa Pinkola-Estes would say – and then note how we fight just what we need.
Much like taking the walks which are a part of working Julia Cameron’s Finding Water. Or Artist dates.
Anyways, I find myself up against the clock for physical therapy this morning and then Husband and I are going to clean up the cottage from when we did the floor, and install the new area rug, and set up the new "dining room" table while we wait for delivery of the new stove (blessings on tax refunds).
As I journaled this morning I thought it would be nice to make a few more Wylde Women to take along with me on retreat to show shops. And then that glance at the calendar. I may be able to fit it in. I just have to set my intent that time expand itself a bit this week. And so it is.
So I’m posting pictures from all the snow we unexpectedly got yesterday (all maybe one inch but hey, we were supposed to get sleet and rain, so it was a gift – and a gorgeous gift as the palm size flakes (at times) fell out of the sky. Which begs the question – when was the last time you thought about all the gifts we get from the sky? The soundlessness of snow, and the quiet it creates as it covers the ground, call fro dreaming and philosophy, I think. Anyways – here are the pictures from my yard. Enjoy!
Can you see the crocus starting to come up in front of the cat?
Don’t get too excited. They’re snow crocus and meant to come up in February where they are often greeted with snow. They are small compared to the regular spring crocus, and last only about a day. They usually signal that is it time to go looking for the snowdrops that I have tucked around the yard.
thought for the day The end of the childbearing years was an important passage for women of the Plains Respect and distinction accompanied the older woman into her later years. An older woman’s opinion was valued for its wisdom, and she kept the tribal history. Because the tasks that fell to the younger women took most of their time, grandmothers spent time with the children, teaching them the ancient traditions, skills and crafts of the tribe. Mary Faulkner, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Women’s Spirituality
10 Comments
I love Io. Her power reaches past the camera…
Just typed in a long comment and lost it going up to look at a close up of one of your beautiful photos… angel holding a snow angel!
We had about 5 inches and are only about 25 miles north of you. I stood out on my front porch steps staring up at the sky watching the many different sized flakes quietly floating down… it was magical!
Always enjoy reading your posts! Have fun at the retreat and treat yourself well! a massage is everything!!!!
these are great words, thank you for sharing…the snow is so beautiful, a pity we didn't have any this year…see you…
Mousie
PS: if I reread The mistress of spices i'll only read the first part and stop when Tilo leaves her shop for the first time…the second part is not so great
Birds. Birds are my favorite gift from the sky.
Love the sculpture – beautiful detail of butterflies and ferns!
I'm thinking I need a Wylde Woman for my labyrinth. Or maybe for my lily garden. Enjoy your retreat, hope you find time to get a good massage. Of course, I have a certain prejudice, but there is nothing that is quite so healing as massage. It is a wonderful adjunct to physical therapy.
So where are you that you get snow with your crocuses? Bear in mind that my little crocuses have been blooming off and on since early January and went through all the ice storm and the frigid middle of February. I am guessing because of your galleries someplace on the East Coast.
It's so wise that you are taking seven days for some renewal. I hope they give you just what you need—
P.S. Beautiful yellow Wylde Woman!
Lovely snowy sculpture photos! And it's inspiring me – if crocus can manage to poke their way up through to snow, to grow – then surely I can get myself through this hazy, gray day to create!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow, did you notice that in your first pic of the snow garden, the snow in the arms of your sculpture looks like an angel? Wings and everything.
It's unfair that you got the snow while we got the freezing rain/sleet/ice/sludge/crazy winds… Nasty weather, but I had fun hanging out with my friend and watching movies, so I guess life is still good LOL
Gifts I get from the sky…stars to wish on, rain to keep the fields green, the moon who reminds me that all things are cyclic, and most importantly, a sense that there is something bigger out there.
I enjoy that you end your posts with a "thought for the day." I can relate to a crammed calendar. Sounds like this retreat is coming at a good time. Enjoy!
Lovely photos of your yard.
Snow also blanketed our world.
To answer your question "when was the last time you thought about the gifts from the sky?"
Everyday.
That used to happen less when I was cooped up in a cramped space not meant for me. Now I can see and soak in the outside wonders of nature from my home studio. Even when working on a myriad of other tasks, I still see the trees reaching like strong arms to infinity from our tiny bathroom, or the charcoal clouds rolling in from our deck.
Enjoy being "wylde." Those Wylde Women are special.