The darkness of night casts a shadow (of truth) however, I am reminded that a shadow is always cast by light.
It was a little more than cold on the water this morning, but, it had been some time since I have gone out in the darkness of night, just to watch the sun come up. Winter sunrises are usually more vibrant, the crisp air gives you more color. This started out very encouraging and fell down in the brilliant reds I had been seeing. Still, in all, a few of us got out, brought coffee, and enjoyed the peace of morning breaking. It is never a bad time on the water. Sea, sand, and salt. Breathe deeply.
The last time I came out, it was for a sunset, and it rained. I didn't feel particularly unlucky, I was at the shore house and it was a short run back there to get out of the rain. Instead, I embraced this moment to watch the incredibleness of Mother Nature, showing off, once again. I just love when she does this, and the thing is, you usually don't know when it will come. I got rewarded for my stay and in actuality, this was a double set of rainbows. First of all, I could only get one set, and second of all, the other set disappeared rather quickly.
I have to be honest. The first few minutes, I did nothing but behold its presence. It was magnificent and the colors were vibrant and beautiful. By the time I actually got to take a picture of it, it had been long muted and I almost just let it go, but, then the color started cranking up again. Crazy, right? I don't know how to explain it, but, it made getting wet and cold so very worth it.
When it was over, I didn't even wait for the next show that I came for. I took myself and my soaking wet clothes back to the shore house and took a nice hot shower and wrapped up in a warm robe with woolen socks knit by my grandfather. Don't ask, but, we were just talking about men that knit today. Anyway, he is was a knitter along with others in my family and he knit my socks to keep warm when I was moving to Germany. Actually, he did them all of our lives, but, those were meant for cold weather. He worried about his girls. The boys were on their own.
Last week we nearing spring weather. I knew it was a fake-out by Mother Nature, she usually punts a few times before she let it go down the way of spring. We have been experiencing high temperatures, enough that some of my flowers were not paying attention to the calendar and began presenting themselves.
I got up Monday morning to cold. Very. I could tell that 24F was making my leaves freeze. These leavea still didn't fall off the tree. Maybe for spring when the new ones push it off? We'll see. But, the frozen wonder of it all is always so beautiful,isn't it. The sun comees out and melts it away.Like magic. Or the warmth of a good hug. Yes. That.
These are no longer, but, perhaps tomorrow morning as it is showing great promise of being the coldest night of the season - then it will warm up during the day. I have no right to complain in the middle of February. When I was growing up, it was winter until almost May, or so it seemed. It seems to last longer or that is just the way I remember it. Perhaps it was because I was young or perhaps there is much more to this global warming thing.
Off to hike in the battlefields to day as I give a nod to #TreeTusday with @Old-Guy-Photos. Feel free to put up a tree or three and I will come visit you too. There are no signs of new life, but there is plenty of life inside this area. Let go, we need a brisk pace to keep us warm! Thanks for coming along and I hope you have an amazing day!
The Civil War era fences. You see them all over Virginia. Have you ever seen this kind of fence where you live?
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
Flowers. There must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower In case you missed Valentine's Day, these flowers are for you. ❤️
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
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I have actually been out of town so apologies for the late reply.
If you wanted to do a brisk pace here, you best have some snowshoes.
Yep once again I am slammed by Mother Nature while it is warm and bright in Camelot. Tis my fate, hopefully for not much longer.
I saw that you brought bad weather with you! Thanfully, you took ot back with you.
Not as warm as it should be. Only 70.3 F today! Tomorrow is warmer. Hurry! Saturday is cold again! Something like barely 50!! Yikes.
It's cold again! Maybe winter is coming now, an intense and short (I hope shortly) winter. Or is it the last appearance before she leaves?
I've never seen a rainbow at sea, how lucky to be able to photograph one!
Sunrise on the sea and sunset at the seaside house, you had two of the most breathtaking moments that can be admired from land. I loved how you described the rainy evening of the sunset, like a movie. Mother Nature inspires you the most, to the delight of your readers among whom, of course, I am. Thank you!
It was cold yesterday, only -4.44C it has not been that cold all winter! Today is a little warmer, 5 C - I can live with that. It should be warming up pretty soon, I think. I am pretty sure there will be an early spring again. My cherry trees in the yard, the buds are starting to get bigger. Last year, it did this in January it was so warm and some of the buds froze. It was a poor showing in the end. Still pretty, of course, but not abundant like normal.
I actually see rainbows quite a bit at sea, although summer is the time that is normal. Quite a lot is relative. I never used to see them and now, it is not so much as it is not unusual. I hope that makes sense.
Mother Nature always inspires me, she always has something to show off. I think she shakes her head, right before she leaves. I don't expect much more cold weather, we haven't really had much this year.
I lost a comment in something that you asked me in another thread of conversation. My dad was Mennonite, different than Amish, although he has some Amish relatives from years ago on his mother's side. The main difference between Amish and Mennonite is that Amish was founded by Jakob Ammann, whereas Mennonites were founded by Frisian Menno Simons. Amish live a very simple life, whereas Mennonites are little evolved to modern lifestyle. An Amish man has a full beard, Mennonite men don't have a full beard. Unlike the Amish, Mennonites are not prohibited from using motor vehicles and are also allowed to use electricity and telephones in their homes. When it comes to their beliefs, the Amish and Mennonite faiths are very similar. The differences lie mainly in the outward practice of those beliefs.
My dad did not follow his faith when he married my mom. She was a strong Catholic, but, they both believed in God. He believed in a more modest lifestyle than what the world did, but, he was a fair man and believed in discussing differences of opinions. I hope that answers a little bit of your question.
We can say that we have had a very mild winter, you and I are witnesses from two distant corners of the earth.
Luckily rainbows are much slower than lightning so I managed to photograph a few myself. I was amazed at the rainbows over the sea, I'd never seen them in person. That means I've always had nice weather when I've been to the sea...
Very beautiful and interesting history of your father's and mother's religion and I loved that your father followed your mother.
Amish is something I don't like because you can't ignore the evolution of society. Probably the hardest was for teenagers who could see that there was a different life.
Thank you, Denise and wishing you the rest of the week to your liking!
DO NOT FOLLOW any instruction and DO NOT CLICK on any link in the comment!
Thanks for the warning!
You're welcome my dear @dswigle
BTW, I noticed I miss your witness vote 😢
Would you mind casting one to me? It would be much appreciated!
Of course! I had no idea I didn't!
Lovely post @dswigle - very well written - and thanks for the Valentine's flowers.
Thank you! That's so sweet of you! I hope you are doing well!
Thanks for asking - yes - doing well
That sunrise and rainbow are so beautiful well worth getting wet for to see
The weather is all over almost 60 a couple of days ago and 8 here now fir sure I’m not going for a walk this morning
So cool your granddad knitted you warm socks and you still have them
I have tried knitting when I was a teen my mum tried to teach me and I was terrible at it with the tension I would try and knit a square but it would come out some weird shape lol
:) He was proud of it! I think we are not as patient when we are kids, but, as we age, we seem to be able to manage some things we never could, or perhaps I was high strung and now I am not. :)
I have to agree with the getting wet (and cold, mind you!) It was on a sort of warmish day, but, definitely not. The ocean has always been a draw for me. Freshwater, not so much. I like it, but, I LOVE the salt.
Oh, yes! The Salt Life! (to quote the old guy!)
I like walking by any form of water but especially the sea
Maybe I will try knitting again one day
Water is always nice, but, there is something that draws me to the salt of the sea... I call it Vitamin Sea! (C)
knitting is great to keep those hands busy. :)
Vitamin Sea I do love that :)
I may try knitting but I do have a couple of cross stich projects I should get done first
I agree with you that the sunrise in winter is more beautiful and vibrant. It might be because it brings warmth to us. Wish you have a good sunrise and sunset for the rest of winter time.
I never thought of it that way, but, you are probably right! It warms the darkest parts of my soul. The salt, the sea, and the sun... they are such a beautiful part of my life.
Hi @dodovietnam !! I hope you are doing well! I have not been over to your place in a while! I need to rectify that! Thanks for stopping in and shaking me. :)
Have a great day!
I have to say I truly love all 4 seasons and all the bring. Even today, tho it is so chilly only 7F currently, being bundled by the fire whilst the ice and snow glow outside, the birds are at the feeder, the sea is cold and grey and all is right with the world.
We have those fences, we just call them split rail fences, tho I dont' see them as often with the cross section over the posts, unless they are keeping in animals.
I hope you are well today @dswigle
The split rail is different than these. I am familiar with the split as they are pretty popular in New England, although not as popular as the old stone walls to divide properties. The fence I showed you is also known as Snake Fence, ZigZag Fence, and Battlefield Fence - the latter term due to its presence on many Civil War battlefields.
They also called it the Virginia rail fence.
The sea is always wonderful to me, even in its fury. All is well with the world today, and I am great! Thanks for asking, Donna! @donnadavisart ❤️
Wow Denise, what amazing sights you got to delve into, that rainbow and the icy leaves.
It was wonderful to read about your grandfather knitting socks for you, I think that is wonderful! I hope you had a lovely evening after your wet day, hopefully real spring is just around the corner for you.
We are having rain this evening. We had to drive down the mountain out of a forest just as a thunder storm started. Autumn is definitely on it's way here, so Spring can't be far off for you.
Keep well
I know! The winter this year was not. I had one snow and it went away in two days. The last couple of years, spring started in February. When I was a kid (and living about 500 miles north, it was around April.
The leaves were in the Washington, DC area where I live and the rainbow was on the Atlantic where my house on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is. It is only a few hours East for me and it is like a different world. One of the reasons I run away from home when I can. :)
My grandfather was around much of my adult life, his side of the family all lived to their 90's and 100's. Long on life, he used to say. I love that he used to knit socks! He has 13 sisters. No kidding! :)
Thanks for stopping by, lovely girl. It is always good to see you! @andrastia
Have an amazing day... Autumn/Spring... I am not sure which I love better!
Beautiful shots! Quite the range of scenery there. That is pretty impressive how bright the colors are in that rainbow. I love the old fence. I haven't been down that way in forever. I need to start working on some plans to make a trip in the next five years or so.
It is because the sunrise are at the house on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the other is outside of Washington DC. The fences are used in mist of the old Civil War Battlefields around here.
I probably shouldstick to one subject! Good morning from here!
Good morning to you as well!
That was sublime. Really beautiful. Love that your grand-dad knit your socks.
Thank you, lovely one. Nature will always be sublime, yes? In her various stages of life.
I love it, my grandfather and his knitting. He was quite proud of it. My brother, not so much. The three that don't make fun of the three that do. :)
Well 3 have warmer feet than those who don't:)
Haha! My mother took ill-placed pity on those that didn't!
Mama's tend to do that.
We do, dont we! :)
I seems to me now, that in winter it was freeze and snow when I was a schoolgirl. The thick snow carpet, and my boot were always wet and feet were cold :) But our memory can deceive us, for our own good.
!LUV
(1/1) gave you LUV.
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You're invited! - LUV's 1st birthday celebration!@zirochka
Memories can deceive us, and it is true, many times we romanticize how it used to be, especially when it was worse/better than we remember.
I remember colder winters and always getting wet too! :)
Hi, @zirochka! I was just thinking of you this morning! Thank you for stopping and in and for the LUV!
Me too ) Your post was so nice to read in the morning, my quiet morning today. Thank you 🤗❤
❤️ Thank you! I hope your day went well.
I learn to appreciate every day, and see good things in my day no matter how it went ) Still learning ))) But it may became my superskill one day.
Wish you a good day today, dear Denise! Cheers 😚
Thank you so much. It was a great day and I got to talk to six of my brothers and sister, not at all planned. I live far away from all of them, but, we get together and talk all the time. So, yes! A wonderful day for me!! I agree with you, no matter what my day is like, I make it a habit to take at least one good thing from it.
We will both own that superpower one day. :) I believe it takes on scare to fully, deeply embrace life. ❤️
Just beautiful Happy Valentine's Day @dswigle ❤️❤️
Thank you! Happy Valentine's Day to you! ❤ Do they celebrate it there?
Thank you @dswigle yes they do it in a big way over here 👍
I love how you combine words for something great
I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by, Sam! @mcsamm I hope you are having a most wonderful day today!
That is right. There are no shadows without light.
In addition to snow, this is another beauty of the winter.
A very nice start to the day. A real boost.
That is 4.44 °C. We had -1 °C yesterday morning. That is 30.20 °F. Today morning is a little warmer. 5 °C (41 °F).
!PIZZA.
!LUV.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Hungary.
We will have 41 F tomorrow morning also! Funny how close the temperature are. I havent been over to your posts in a little bit. I apologize. It's been so busy in my life I have not posted as much. I hope you have been good and all is well in your world!
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Thank you for the pizza!
I also was not that active on the Hive blockchain in the recent past. I am on the 13th place of the engagement league this week, which is quite surprising for me. Currently all is well, but I still do not know what will be in the next winter.
You have time to figure it out. Do you know how much you need to save to stay where you are? Thats a good place to start.
That would be good. But I am heating the house with gas. And the price of the gas can change a lot. The price of the electricity can also change a lot. And the buying power of the money can also change a lot. Even in a single month. For example the consumer prices increased by 7.40% in 2021 december. This value is very similar to the USA, where the consumer prices increased by 7%.
It is a place to start.
(2/5) gave you LUV.
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You're invited! - LUV's 1st birthday celebration!@xplosive
Thanks for the LUV!
Thanks for the LUV!
Sorry, out of BEER, please retry later...
Thanks for the repost @pixresteemer! Much appreciated!
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Thanks for the pizza!
What a lovely read along with some beautiful photos to admire, it is nice to see you still posting on Hive. :)
Thank you so much... do I know you? Unless you went by another name?
I think that you used to write some on the Freewrites, I have been off of Hive/Steem and using Scorum for over three years so you probably don't remember me but I recognized your unique name.
Marianne and I were friends, but, I never did freewrites. Possibly just around the platform.
How wonderful it is to see the day break, it fills you with optimism and good vibes for the rest of the day. How beautiful those colors are; and the rain, the rain should never bother us. It is so beautiful, relaxing and divine.
beautiful photograpy
Nice post keep it up.
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