The Joy of Spring Break

Fast Fog II

I first woke to a beautiful clear dawn, but then noticed a line of fog building in the distance! Although it wasn't as dramatically fast as the morning of Fast Fog I, by the time I got downstairs it had smothered us all.

Morning

January 27, 2010

Wind and Clouds

Actually, the wind chased those puffy clouds away pretty quickly. It turned into a WINDY, but beautiful day. It's to the point where my husband suddenly said last night, "Listen! The wind stopped!" But by morning it was back.

Blinding Brilliance!

My son got this shot as I drove him to school. It still feels more like Spring than January, and the bulbs are starting to sprout. They usually don't make an appearance until mid February. The worry is that if the fruit trees warm too much, they will start to bud early. I love the sunshine, but wouldn't mind a bit more winter.

A Sunrise

It truly felt like Spring rather than the middle of January today. Apparently, this is not good for future crops, but it sure felt nice!

Lovely!

That's the way to start the day! It's foggy again now. I'm glad I looked out at just the right moment! ^_^

Day 67: 7:45am Daylight Savings Time

So, I'm bummed that sunrise is once again right when I am rushing to get everyone out the door in the morning! Plus, one hour less of sleep! : (

Day 37: Fleeting Moments

A poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson

MUSIC

Let me go where'er I will,

I bear a sky-born music still:

It sounds from all things old,

It sounds from all things young,

From all that's fair, from all that's foul,

Peals out a cheerful song.

It is not only in the rose,

It is not only in the bird,

Not only where the rainbow glows,

Nor in the song of woman heard,

But in the darkest, meanest things

There alway, alway something sings.

'T is not in the high stars alone,

Nor in the cup of budding flowers,

Nor in the redbreast's mellow tone,

Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,

But in the mud and scum of things

There alway, alway something sings.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm not sure I agree with this as much as I used to. I have a better understanding of how dark and mean this world can be than when I first read this as a child. But I do still like the poem and it makes me think about how to find the good even when it is hard to see. As we are told:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:4-7

So, about the weather...I think it rained from here down to San Diego last night. At least it was pouring when I was talking to people there and in LA. It did make it seem like a small world after all. It froze in the night so in the morning I went out to photograph the icy rain drops studding the orchard, but they quivered and dropped off as I kept trying to get the right focus on the camera. I stopped to snap a shot of the ice crystals melting in the water around the pile of old bricks, and the cat came to investigate. Did you see his reflection? Once back inside the light seemed to change. I peeked out and found that the melted rain drops had all evaporated into a thick fog completely obscuring the Blue Mountains.

Day 31: Windy Blue

Day 28: Teo's Choice

(Best viewed large - click for full screen.)

I couldn't decide which shot to use. What a glorious morning, and lovely day! Almost felt like spring, until the sun went down, shining beautifully pink on the mountains, and the heat quickly radiated out to space! Brrrr!

Day 26: Sun Kissed Snow

Day 25: The Cat and I

Day 19: Silver Tracks

Day 18: A Light Dusting

A very fine and dainty dust
of powdered sugar snow
was sprinkled lightly on the drive
while I slept soundly through the night

A chunk of white and crusty ice
cracks and crunches where puddles once
reflected sky and cloud
in universes underground

The gray unending sky remains
like covers pulled over our heads
to shield us from the blazing sun
that wants to wake our sleepy eyes

Oh, blessed wind please blow this way
and pull away the blanket gray
for though the sun may blind and stars may chill
they'll pull the cobwebs from my mind
and sweet fresh air will fill my soul.

Day 16: Icy Leaves

Day 14: Frozen Droplets

Day 13: Cielo Rayado

Day 12: Early Blue

Day 11: Sunrise Moonset