This past week, West Tennessee has experienced sleet, snow and extremely cold temperatures, which have rendered many homebound. One of the things I have enjoyed during this time has been watching a flock of cardinals that have been visiting the feeders. Their activity and beauty have been a bright spot in some bitterly cold and icy days.
“Even dark days have a bright spot. Make it your goal to find it.” ~Lisa Petty
“Thoughts intrude, like unwelcome guests at a party. Ignored and unfed, they depart.” ~Unknown
I spotted this Brown Thrasher in my backyard early last summer. He picked up a few sunflower seeds under the feeder and then headed to the birdbath for a quick dip. The large yellow eyes and downcurved bill, which gave him a grumpy look before his bath, added a certain charm when he was wet.
“Create your own style. Let it be unique for yourself and identifiable for others.” ~Anna Wintour
These pictures were taken on the morning of January 2, 2018 as the sun was rising and the full moon was setting in the western sky.
“When one starts thinking of the full moon as a common sight that will come again to one’s eyes ad-infinitum, the value of life is diminished and life goes by uncherished.” ~Roman Payne
“There’s something very magical about water and what happens to it when it freezes. I don’t think there’s anything else in the world, perhaps in our universe, that is quite like ice.” ~Ira Flatow
We startled this little squirrel as it was searching for food at the base of a tree in a state park. It frantically scampered up the tree trunk and hid on the other side. As we continued walking, I looked back and caught it peeking out to see if the coast was all clear.
“When I die of heart failure the next time you frighten me like that, you can put that on my gravestone — ‘I didn’t mean to startle her.'” ~Patricia Briggs
While driving along the Mississippi levee, we spotted these two eagles sitting contently together in the trees.
“Contentment is a state of the heart, unaffected by outward circumstances.” ~Crystal Paine
““Peace is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank.” ~Unknown
“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.” ~Dr. Seuss
A few weeks ago, my husband had a heart attack. It was the last thing that we had expected. He was only slightly overweight and at his last yearly checkup, all his tests had come back perfect. Thankfully, he is doing well now and we are learning to adapt to a few life-style changes. Times of crisis tend to cause you to reflect upon and appreciate the good things in your life and the people who are there for you during those times.
“If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It’s a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it’s time to reflect on what’s come before.” ~Mitchell Burgess
walking on a country road 