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.

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