a flower

i found a flower 

in the snow 

today

it astonished me.

no doubt this old tree 

had a grand chuckle.

in fact, as i skied past

i heard a small, 

very small

sound.

happy new year.

everyone.

paper and wax and friends

 so i took that bit of spun paper

 and labeled it so i remember 

i'm good at remembering things with my hands, my heart,

but not so much things like numbers, birthdays, holy days. 

i've forgotten my birthday many times.

 so it doesn't bother me

when ever things arrive

 ronnie sent a little zine.

she has kept a year of book art sundays

an amazing year

 hannah tried to go back to maine today

the snow gods hinted it wasn't so smart

 she headed out and i got busy:

in the spirit of cleaning up/out for new year

i collect the beeswax leavings from

the only candles i like

six little ones

 one very wide one

and shifu, waxed.

trace makes wax work look so easy

so does laura.
(and others, these artists are on my walls)

me, not so much.
and then hannah came back, she'll try tomorrow.
joanne kaar, a papermaker, a friend
just completed a cabinet of curiosities of sorts,
an homage to baker and botanist robert dick.
and she is internet friends with another reader here, faisal.
who sent her a book.

whiter shade of pale

 the little bit of washi

that covered junko's work

 spun quickly and rough

 this is how neighbor, 

dan and his helper dave arrived

my knights in yellow armor

 last night there was another arrival

 not so welcome!

porcupine spent the night in the white pine

feasting

 

trail

wendy couldn't do it

and i couldn't follow it without snowshoes

 my knees are below the surface

 trail is the line to the left of the grandmother maple

we got wet

real snow, actually

in yesterday's mail 

a book for hannah from kate and

this for me!

 seriously amazing tiny stitching:

 like fairy fingers 

made this pouch

 even the wrapping paper

 is handmade
(will surely be spun up for shifu)

so this morning at 7

 there was a bit of snow

 as daylight emerged

 it's apparent

 that some serious

 work with shovel and daughter

is necessary for an elder

border collie 

to find her way through.
(and the postman to find the mailbox)

and it's still snowing.

hard.

after christmas, before big snow

so they say, it's coming

 a bit more snow

will be welcome

i must sort out my skis 

 get them ready

 the light is still low and thin

late in the morning and early in the afternoon

did solstice really come?

 streams are icing now

 and wendy welcomed hannah

for a visit

a neighbor readied for christmas

with four elongated horses

decked out for the season

christmas eve

as the day reaches its middle

i rest in wonder

 a small river

not yet iced up, it's so warm

 calves enjoying good eating 

and naptime

this patient old man

who waits high in his pasture each day

for what?

~~~

wishing you peace

peace.

~~~

snow and fiber

 it's been snowing all day--

unamed seed fiber from sandy

 and this evening, 

as i stepped into the shower

my leg registered shock.

hot water heater is whacked.

after annoyance,

 i am immediately chagrined 

at my arrogance. i have hot running water

most times,

will have again tomorrow or monday.

not so for so many folks in the world.

in this darkest time

i am startled into remembering

all my blessings.

hot water.

fiber.

frends.

and mostly family.

snow

 this is what one student completed

he will give it to his mom for christmas 

it was important to finish it in time.

 and this was what

the land looked like yesterday

morning: the solstice

wet and dreary

 and then

today!

first light 

there are inches of fluffy snow

and i am grateful.

YES!

advent

 the great north woods was logged over extensively

and farms were settled around here.

all changed now.

so there is a lot of "brush".

this stuff is jungle impenetrable 

especially in summer bug season.

and it reflects the heavy confusion 

inside my mind on days of planning and busy-ness

and some days, like yesterday, open up.

habu had a sale and i found

very fine paper thread

i haven't even opened these up to touch!

(yet)

and yesterday i had the very great pleasure

of having tea with my 

 dearest old friend

who is finding her deep self in watercolor.

miracles are good things.