Tag Archives: Winter

Borrowed Words (2)

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Touch2Touch

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

SNOW

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Touch2Touch

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

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Touch2Touch

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

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Touch2Touch

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!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Touch2Touch

“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

A Cherry Hung with Snow…

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Touch2Touch

Simply trust, Simply trust! Cherry blossoms in bloom                 Japanese haiku poet Kobayashi Issa It’s Japanese practice (as I understand it) to display each seasonal decoration, like this cherry blossom bonsai, a little in … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Japan, Nature, Pioneer Valley, Poetry, Spring | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Promiscuously, in a Vase

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Touch2Touch

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

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Touch2Touch

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

Same Song, Second Verse —

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Touch2Touch

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

In the Midst of Winter —

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Touch2Touch

Friends who fled the wintry North for Florida sunshine want to know how it’s going back home. Here’s how it’s going: And here’s how we (try to) deal with it. We rub two words together until the sparks fly, until … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Nature, Quotes, winter, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments