"Tell your own story, 

and you will be interesting."

                                                               --Louise Bourgeois

Reality + Levity

For several weeks the scene outside my window (in Iowa) has resembled the above image -- gray skies and icicles along with snow and cold.  Every few days the snow returns and sometimes the temperature rises just enough to create some real excitement in the form of ice and slippery roads.

So, this is winter....and as an Iowa native I should probably be accustomed to this ...but that doesn't mean I like it. 

Anyway, to insert a little humor in this dreary weather picture, I decided to include a photo of a sign I recently saw.  It made me laugh.  Hope it makes you smile.

Just Ahead...

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant..."

                                                                         --Anne Bradstreet

Imagination

"This world is but a canvas 

to our imagination."

                                                                             --Henry David Thoreau

A Valentine

"I humbly do beseech of your pardon for too much loving you."

                                                                                                       --William Shakespeare

Stripes

Artwork by Stephanie Funke, CZT

Paint stripes on a toad, 

he does not become a tiger.

                                                                --George R. R. Martin

Winter's Fine Lines

"The color of springtime is flowers;

the color of winter is in our imagination."

                                                                          --Terri Guillemets

Old School

In my previous post I referred to a polar air mass that recently invaded these parts -- here's proof.  Both of these were morning readings (air temperature only) and something I hope not to see again anytime soon.  Whew.  Plus, when the USPS suspends delivery, that's proof that it's beyond cold.

Anyway, during the frigid weather I'm fortunate to be able to stay indoors and enjoy the warmth and wonderful aroma from this old-school simmering pot.  I simply add water and discarded citrus rinds (lemon, lime and orange) along with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks to create warmth, moisture and a delightful fragrance in our home.  Give it a try as this is easy and great for any season of the year.