Monday, January 21, 2013

Owed to the Sun


Even before the sun is visible to us in the house, the upper woods to the north see him . . .

 

I hurry to the front porch to catch him peeking over the ridge and sending long shafts of light into the valley . . .      

Then to the back porch again to see the light spilling down the slopes . . .

And back to the front porch where, at last, the star player makes his entrance . . .

Gilding the edges of all he touches.

Later in the day, I take a little walk. It's two-thirty and soon the sun will have disappeared behind the mountain at our back. But now it's warm in the entry garden and I look for pictures.  There's lemon balm, unfazed by the recent snow... 
 
I trim away the dead stalks of Autumn Joy sedum, but pile them on top of the emerging new buds for protection from cold to come . . .

Like little green roses . . .

The Harry Lauder's Walkingstick (contorted hazelnut) has put out catkins . . .
 
And the sun is accentuating all those lovely curves . . .

Behind the house now, trying to catch the last bits of sunlight -- even an old piece of log grabs at the light -- and my attention . . .

No, this is not a chicken foot -- it's a sprig of yellow dogwood. . .

Some sort of weed (goldenrod?) gone to seed, but making the most of the dying rays . . .

Raspberry leaves -- last year's and this year's . . .

And the last of the sun, making a kalaidoscope within a young pine's branches.  
 
 
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14 comments:

Ms. A said...

Aaaahhh, the sun has finally come for a visit. It's nice to take time to get reacquainted. I know you have some catching up to do!

Victoria said...

Those are beautiful photos, Vicki, and I'm glad you were able to go for a walk and get a bit of gardening in. Gardening, even in little bits, always cheers me.

Thérèse said...

Always a presence of life, stronger than anything.

Martin said...

The reflection of the sun. Luckily, we've all shared some of its rays, direct from your words and pictures.

Love the Harry Lauder reference, by the way.

June said...

I love wraparound dawns like this. They move me. And your last photo is downright exuberant.

I must say, though, that I feel put out that you have things getting ready for spring when we are expecting a high temp of 25* today!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh my!! The glow of the trees! What a wonderful picture and what inspiration!!! Have a grand week! Cathy

Brian Miller said...

nice...i love the glow that star brings....really cool perspective on the rings of the old tree..and def love the kalaedescope effect...smiles.

Barbara Rogers said...

What fun, trekking around your site...both homestead and blog, with you!

Frances said...

Vicki, it's grand to see that early sunshine has got you on the move around your house. The varying light around your garden and your beautiful photographs brought some NC sunshine to me early this morning.

Thank you! xo

dannie said...

Coming back from Weavervile, I was just amazed how clear the day was. I could see individual trees across the ridge. Beautiful winter day!

Gwen said...

In words and pictures - pure poetry!

Vicki Lane said...

I wasn't out long, Victoria, but just doing a little tidying felt awfully good.

It's still pretty chilly, June, and I 'm afraid a lot of these early buds are going to be killed. I keep telling them it only January.

Today was another beautiful day of sun and cold weather.

Deanna said...

I need to quit sleeping in. Your photos are always so interesting.

Merisi said...

The sun carries hope, morning after morning.
I love the signs of spring you captured. I saw a fat new bud yesterday, on a cold winter day,nothing warms the heart more than promise of spring!