Snow Slush

It's snow slush time once again. It has been several days of frozen temperatures after the snowstorm but today the weather is milder. The white pristine snow glistens under the gaze of the snow sun and softens before my eyes. Thinking that the melted snow will help speed up the snow removal task, I whisk the shovel around, aggressively break up the piled snow. I watch as the snow tumbles and takes a plunge into a puddled area. A new color arises. Murky grey water mixes with pure white snow and snow slush is created. 

While it is not appealing to look at, the snow slush reminds me of the holidays when I mix colors for cake frosting. A little of this and a little of that makes for a strong visual presentation. So too, in my driveway, I experiment to find the right mixture. I carefully take another snow shovel scoop of pure white snow and blend it with a dose of tread-upon snow. I add in some melted water and wait for a new and exciting blend to make the snow shoveling routine a brighter shade of grey. 

While this does not work, I am able to carve out a nice path to the left of the house while the men tackle the right side. Then, I quietly return indoors to wait for nature to take its course.

From pristine white stage



to snow slush

Today's Slice of Life being sent to the Two Writing Teachers'
Writing Community.

Carol Varsalona: New Year Thoughts | Wonder Ground

Please see my Wonderopolis post at the following link: 

Carol Varsalona: New Year Thoughts | Wonder Ground

Celebrating My One Word

My #oneword2018 came to me years ago when it softly cushioned some life challenges. You can read about this in my introduction to my one word. Little did I know that "hope" would snuggle me like warm socks on a cold night and then, be tucked away. It was just waiting in the wings for the chance to become my focal point and a guide for my 2018 journey. 

A few days ago, hope quietly entered my life space, like the first drifting snow drops sparkling in early morning. I felt your presence as you connected to each of my previous years' choices. You gathered openness, listen, believe, and joy together to reflect on what was to come.  

You came one day

like snowdrops 

falling from above,

then landed softly.

Not knowing your intent

but feeling your presence, 

I invited you to stay

as my welcomed guest.

With your nudging,

I opened my heart,

listened carefully, and believed

in your power to joyfully guide.

Now, I feel as though 

I can soar like the eagle

with spread wings toward

possibilities unknown.

©CVarsalona, 2018

I celebrate my one word, hope.

Thank you, Ruth Ayres, for your weekly celebration of life.

#oneword, Poetically-Styled

"What a journey it has been and the end is not in sight..."
from The Journey by Lea Salonga

As each new year begins, life takes us on journey. We cannot determine what each day will bring but we can be filled with positivity and hope as we take each step. Did this last statement give you a hint to what my #oneword2018 is?

 

I enjoyed listening to Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra's thoughts on Hope in Uncertain Times. Perhaps you will too.

I also listened to Lea Salonga singing The Journey to give me inspiration for journeying outside to shovel the snow that has piled up.

Forward, always forward... Onward, always up... Catching every drop of hope In my empty cup.

❄⛄❅

Happy Poetry Friday.

My colleague, Catherine Flynn, is hosting today.

I loved the image poem that Catherine offered for my #AutumnAblaze Gallery. ⇩

Thanks to all the Poetry Friday poets who contributed to the gallery. Please take a Gallery Walk to remember the brilliance of autumn during the winter season.

Introducing My 2018 One Word

Each new year, words spin around me persuading to me to capture the best of what they have to offer. I choose carefully, knowing that only one word will be a guide on my journey to becoming a better person and fully savoring "life living" moments. 

Since 2014, when I switched from writing a yearly resolution to allowing the power of #oneword to guide my journey, I have been moved by the following words.

Each one of my one words, has provided me with a different lens on life. This year, I ask myself what word would compliment the others. What word would place me on a path to continue to be open, listen more intently, believe in the power of possibilities, and find joy in the ordinary? The word was in front of me, behind me in past encounters, and full of positivity. My #oneword2018 is hope!

The inspirational message on hope that you can find below was given to me when I was in treatment for lymphoma. It is my daily reminder to be open, listen intently to others, strongly believe, and find joy even in the midst of struggles and challenges.  

While this faith message has been with me for over fourteen years, it has surfaced as a thoughtful choice to guide my way this year. Let's see where this word will take me for hope has wings.

Stay tuned for more on my #oneword2018. 

For now, I am joining my writing group,

hosted by Margaret Simon this month.

❅❅❅

SPECIAL NOTICE on the subject of ONE WORDS:

Join #NYEDChat on January 8th. We will discuss #EduBlogging: Power of One Word to Guide Our 2018 Journeys. 

Celebrating Granbaby's 1st Christmas

There is something magical about the holiday season and this year was no exception. It was filled with a whirlwind of joyful celebrations focusing around my granbaby's first Christmas. How fortunate I felt to celebrate with Sierra Kathryn and both sides of her family at her home in Virginia. While she was too little to understand the significance of Christmas, it was delightful watching her smile her way through all the happenings and be part of many photo shoots. 

Now, after a weeklong stay in Virginia and a day of cleanup after my New Year's Eve party, I have time to quietly recall 2017's joyful Christmas visit. It was indeed a week to remember and so I record the blessed celebrations in photos taken with my iPhone.

Creating the following digital photo journal reminds me of when my children were little. Photo albums were filled with still photos from my 35 ml camera and processed at the local camera shop.  

CHRISTMAS 2017

C hristmas Card 

H artnett house lit up for Santa's arrival

p R e-Christmas fun

We were in awe of the outdoor decorations of this house in Reston.

People gathered to see the spectacular 2017 Festival of Lights at Morman Tabernacle in Maryland.

We were inspired by the United States Botanical Garden Exhibit of structures made from plant materials.

We enjoyed walking around the White House Outdoor Christmas Tree and then to the Capitol Building's tree.

Santa Team pajamas and hats were a hit on Christmas Eve!

Chr I stmas Day

My children posed in front of the beautiful Nativity Creche at St. John Neumann Church in Reston.

My sister and I enjoyed visiting the creche after Christmas Mass.

Grandpa and Sierra Kathryn relaxed after Mass.

Uncle Derek had so much fun with his goddaughter.

S ierra enjoyed gifts from Santa. 

Chris T mas dinner was luscious.

M ommy and baby had some cuddle time.

Gr A ndma Time was special.

S ierra surprised everyone with sitting up on her own.

A video of this milestone happening can be accessed here.

Joyful memories were made during the Christmas 2017 week. Now that I had time to collect the best photos, I can look back upon them while being away from my sweet little granbaby. 

I hope that your memories were as wonderful as mine and that your family time was filled with joy. Happy New Year to the all! 

I send warm greetings for 2018 to the following writing communities: #sol18 at Two Writing Teachers and

Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres.

O Christmas Tree

It was a magical sight! A Christmas tree lit up with a fragile package of life under its boughs. Parents, two sets of grandparents, aunts, and uncles gathered for Baby's First Christmas to watch a little bundle of energy's movement.  

I sit back now and reflect on this magical Christmas in which my grandbaby Sierra Kathryn became the focal point. Past Christmastimes flash before me. I see my mother's 1940 manger, an array of Christmas trees, and children's faces but this year one image looms brightly-an angel of glee and cheerfulness who brings joy to all.  

Could there be a better blessing than this sweet child with a beautiful  smile and loving ways?

Life is full! 

Isn't it amazing how one small child can bring healing to life? 

Last week, I was fortunate to have witnessed the magnificent light show at the Morman Washington D.C.Temple. I created a short video using the Magisto platform. You can access that here.

I'm joining Mary Lee Hahn for her #haikuforhealing project and Poetry Friday where Heidi Mordhorst is the host. 

It's #ThankfulThursday and I want to thank all those who graciously offered their talents and poetry love to help me build my Autumn Ablaze Gallery.

O Autumn

O Autumn, Autumn! O pensive light

and wistful sound!

Gold-haunted sky, green-haunted ground!...

-Effie Lee Newsome

You can read the rest of the poem here. 

While yesterday was the Winter Solstice and the first day of winter, I am still celebrating autumn. To mark the occasion, I unveiled my Autumn Ablaze Gallery on social media yesterday. You can access it here.  

With vibrant, harvest colors, the global gallery showcases the brilliancy of the 2017  autumn season. Thanks to the Poetry Friday community and other writers, photographers, artists, and student voices, the gallery is full of artistic expressions. Here is a sampling of what you can see at Autumn Ablaze Gallery.

Special Thanks To:

Janet Wong for gathering new poetic voices to the gallery.

Now, I am heading over to Buffy's Blog where Buffy Silverman is hosting a Merry Happy Poetry Friday!

Happy Holidays to ALL!