Category Archives: winter

Borrowed Words (2)

In Japanese landscape gardening the word shakkei means “borrowed view.” The designer “borrows,” or incorporates, any view beyond property borders, thereby visually enlarging his own property and landscape.  This winter in Northampton has meant enclosure in the house, trapped by unrelenting cold and snow, and enclosure … Continue reading

Posted in Japan, Quotes, winter, Wisdom, Writers | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

“Borrowed Words”

In Japanese landscape gardening the word shakkei means “borrowed view.” The designer “borrows,” or incorporates, any view beyond property borders, thereby visually enlarging his own property and landscape. This winter in New England is already legendary for its deep snows and brutal cold. It’s robbed energy and … Continue reading

Posted in Quotes, winter, Wisdom, Writers | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

SNOW

Yes, snow. Stark and simple word for the white wilderness that circumscribes our lives here in the Northeast US. I can’t find adequate words to do justice to it. Maybe photos can convey some of our winter: Our patio at the beginning of December … Continue reading

Posted in Nature, Pioneer Valley, winter | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

Winter Closet

Thanksgiving arrived along with the first winter storm of the season here in the Northeast United States. Biting cold, snow, wind — please, Mother Nature, I’m not ready yet! The older I get, the less ready I am for the … Continue reading

Posted in Color, Flowers, Nature, winter | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments

AUTUMN LEAVES

It’s late October. We’re past the blue and gold, and into the fallen, fading autumn leaves of ocher, beige, dull red and brown. They’re EVERYWHERE! On the patio: Sitting on the chairs: It’s clearly time to wrap up outdoor living for the winter, … Continue reading

Posted in Autumn, Loneliness, Memory, Music, Nature, Pioneer Valley, winter | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

Hey, Fat Lady!

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings….”   It’s a great phrase, isn’t it? It references what used to be the stereotypically overweight sopranos of Grand Opera. (Since the advent of the Metropolitan Opera’s HD television simulcasts, we’ve been getting glamour … Continue reading

Posted in Angels, Challenge, Etcetera, Life and Death, Nature, Personal Essay, Pioneer Valley, Spring, winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Promiscuously, in a Vase

Why have I been sequestered so long, away from my blogs (and yours)? I’ve been preparing to moderate a seminar on the Cultural Arts of Japan in our local Learning in Retirement program. I’m sure that in a previous life … Continue reading

Posted in Challenge, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Quotes, winter | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Spring in the Heart

Coming along the mountain path Somehow it tugs my heart Wild violet (trans. Lesley Downer) The mercury slunk down to – 12 Fahrenheit last night. Or thereabouts. At such low temperatures, what difference does it make? All is white, white, … Continue reading

Posted in Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Spring, winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Happy Christmas to All!

It seems paradoxical that the quintessential Christmas plant comes to North America from the tropics. Yes, the poinsettia’s heat and vivid color originate in Mexico. The cheerful flowers so delighted Joel Roberts Poinsett, first United States Minister to Mexico, that he … Continue reading

Posted in Etcetera, Flowers, Friendship, Happiness, Nature, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Same Song, Second Verse —

When I was very young, my friends and I sang a nonsense song to the tune of Cielito Lindo. It began this way: Ai Yi Yi Yi In China they don’t eat chili Here comes another verse That’s worse than … Continue reading

Posted in Etcetera, Nature, winter | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments