Beyond Brrrr

In these parts of the Midwest, the last few days have seemed like Mother Nature was trying to kill us.  With dangerous wind chills and record cold air temperatures dipping well below -20, we were attacked by brutally frigid air from the polar vortex that broke free and crept way too far south...  Anyway, as one might suspect, most schools along with colleges and universities canceled classes. The above image best sums it up with the obvious announcement in the center and to the left a lengthy list of area districts closed.  That vertical red stripe clearly makes a statement.

Anyway, the photo below is one option for warming hearts and hands.  And, if you must be outside in this frightful cold, all my best and warmest thoughts pour your way.

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

                                                                                                  --Albert Camus

Connections

When finished with this tangle, one theme kept coming to mind -- the interconnectedness of our lives.  Many parts that overlap and can be beautiful, ugly or, at any given time, anything in between.  As a teacher, this concept is something that impacts all of my daily interactions with students, colleagues, parents, administrators, cleaning and maintenance personnel, kitchen staff and so on.  Simply stated, relationships do matter.

"Connections with other people affect not only the quality of our lives but also our survival."

                                                                                              --Dean Ornish

Perspective

"Discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes."

                                                                                                       --Marcel Proust

As someone interested in artistic endeavors, the above quote resonated with me and my take on this image.   Here's the story:

 Each June for several consecutive years I attended and photographed an annual small-town Iowa celebration that included a parade and three nights of rodeo action.  Since my husband's family was proud to drive their fleet of restored tractors in this popular event, I found myself hunkered down curbside trying to capture these moments for my beloved....usually hot, sweaty and fatigued from lugging around a large lens and doing intermittent squats for about two hours...I think you get the picture.  Anyway, one year prior to the start of the parade, I stumbled upon some beautiful vintage automobiles lining the route and realized the photo opportunities in those shiny hubcaps -- new eyes in a very familiar land.

Sea + Sky

"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers,

the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters,

and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."

                                                                          --John Lubbock

Feline Chic

"If cats could talk, they wouldn't."

                                                                         --Nan Porter

A Snowman's Advice

Advice from a Snowman:

--Be a jolly, happy soul

--Spend time outdoors

--Avoid meltdowns

--Be well-rounded

--Live well, life is short

                                                          --Unknown

Share Your Light

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

                                                                                       --Maya Angelou

Winter's Serenity

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, 

embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."

                                                                               --John Boswell

Find Fun

As 2019 begins I think about all the possibilities that exist for the next twelve months -- ways for me to find more joy and less work!  That's probably a common sentiment as the new year gets underway.  So, this image is a perfect fit as it immediately puts a smile on my face and makes me think of things I love, including warm weather, water, and getaways that help me relax.  May the new year be whatever you make it.

"When nothing goes right... go left."

                                                                                        --Unknown