“January is here,
With eyes that keenly glow —
A frost-mailed warrior striding
A shadowy steed of snow.”
— Edgar Fawcett, American poet (1847-1904)

Okay, it’s not January quite yet – but this great little poem spoke to me. January IS snow — even though chances are we won’t get it here in Oklahoma. I watch for it in the forecast, and think of
January as the White month of the year.

So, …

On a clear winter night, with my breath sending a cloud of fog out into the darkness, nothing is more delightful than staring up into the starry sky. (Especially when I know
a hot cup of cocoa waits for me inside the house!)

These long, dark winter nights are wonderful for stargazing. This weekend, we are blessed with a gorgeous full moon, which makes the starlight a little dimmer. But, this is the month to take a few
minutes every …

This first week of true winter – between the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year, symbolized true winter to me. The nights are loooong, too little time between dawn
and dusk, but that winter world is full of activity.

The birds flutter about, their wings puffed out for insulation against the cold, always searching for a seed or tidbit to fill their tiny bellies and keep that tiny heart pumping for warmth.

The sun, …

Fall is over. My favorite season, done.

The sky is bright and blue and the comforting cycle of time and life continues. What choice do we have but to accept?

“Out through the fields and the woods
And over the walls I have wended;
I have climbed the hills of view
And looked at the world, and descended;
I have come by the highway home,
And lo, it is ended.
…

The day dawns. How do you feel?
Today, on December 21, 2012 – I feel a new beginning. It doesn’t have anything to do with the end of the Mayan calendar, or what will – or will not – happen at some point today when the planets come into alignment. I’ve read the theories. I glory in the rise of the sun and the turn of the earth, and whatever the day brings.

Interesting information From Discovery News this week about the discovery of new species documented in Borneo, Africa and Madagascar! Read on.

Today marks the final meditation for the autumn season, and part 3 of the Stewardship quote series.
Read slowly and reflect. The new year is coming!

Today’s post is two parts: first, the nature blog, featuring the differences between three closely related animals or trees; second, the Blogfest! Hope you’ll read the
entire post, and enjoy learning about the work of a few of my other writer friends.

Part 1: What’s the Difference –?

Between an Elk and a Caribou?
 
In the U.S., a large North American deer, the wapiti, is called an elk. Europeans call what we call an elk …

This week’s meditation continues the stewardship quotes. Hope you’ll take time to read and reflect on the meaning of these words of wisdom.

“Friends at home! I charge you to spare, preserve and cherish some portion of your primitive forests; for when these are cut away I apprehend they will not be easily replaced.” — Horace
Greeley, New York Tribune, 1851

“In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create but by what we refuse to destroy.” …

The following article appeared in Discovery News this week. I promise that you will never look at a bird’s nest the same way again. Interesting!
“Urban birds are incorporating cigarette butts into their nests for bug-killing action and for insulation, a new study finds.