may you grow around the barriers & find an open door
Cold weather has been on my mind all week which seems silly because the temperature on Sunday rose to 67 degrees fahrenheit. Since then a cold front moved through dumping snow on many near us and bringing quite a bit of rain in our immediate area.
Today it was bright and sunny, but windy and the temperature only rose to 31 degrees fahrenheit. I’ve heard people complaining about how cold it is and I just smile to myself knowing that three days ago it was like spring, the Bradford Pear tree in our front yard has its spring buds, and pansies are blooming in our front flower bed surrounded by ivy.
When one family member, who shall remain nameless, was complaining about how cold they were, I said, “You don’t know what cold weather is. When you’ve gone for 30 days straight and the temperature hasn’t climbed above zero day or night, then you can tell me it’s cold. If you had on long pants and socks you might be surprised how comfortable it is.” You could say it was one of those “I used to walk ten miles in the snow to school” moments.
Several times a day I let out a sigh without realizing it’s coming because my mind has wandered off to my green eyed wild flower. I feel certain she’s cold.
May the dreams you are dreaming in a warm soft bed, and may the voices inside you that fill you with dread, make the sounds of thousands of angels instead, tonight where you might be laying your head.
— Patty Griffin, (Singer/Songwriter/Musician)
32 Comments
Christopher
February 2, 2011Really nice post and shot Sherri–great quote at the end as well!
Michael Rawluk
February 2, 2011That is very nice. The paint sure makes a nice background for the vine.
Kala
February 2, 2011Our high tomorrow will be 8F and we have 18 inches of snow. But we are in a nice warm house – it could be so much worse. And I agree with Christopher – great quote!
yz
February 3, 2011beautiful shot and words
Arnd
February 3, 2011Superb juxtaposition of nature and technique along with interesting, thought-provoking prose!
Nick
February 3, 2011Does it stay up by itself??? Nice color combination and nice shadows.
sherri
February 3, 2011Yes, ivy sticks to the wall by itself and continues to grow. Green eyed wildflowers are different and rare.
yiannis krikis
February 3, 2011I like the detail and the life that the plant gives
Otto K.
February 3, 2011nice composition here. I like the flow of the vines and the shadows on the wall.
Zing
February 3, 2011Love the details and the shadows, great shot!
rian
February 3, 2011framed beautifully.. :) and yeah, that’s one way to look at it.. just think of some place that’s much colder than where you’re currently in.. :D that’ll definitely put it in perspective and make you feel a bit better.. :)
John Maslowski
February 3, 2011Most things in life is how one perceives it. Great title, seems to correlate perfectly with this image, also like the hopeful message it portrays.
Soe
February 3, 2011Beautiful composition and a good read :)
Ginnie
February 4, 2011What a beautiful sentiment, Sherri. We all have barriers to get around, of course, but we do have to smile sometimes at those that some people think are impassable. 10 miles in the snow to school…is something else altogether. :)
fabrizio
February 4, 2011really nice work, i love this delicate light
Marcie
February 4, 2011So nice to see green. I’ve almost forgotten what that looks like!
Stephen Phillips
February 4, 2011Again – there is so much wisdom at Pearweed – thank you, Sherri.
javga
February 4, 2011Typical an object and setting which most folks just pass by. Of course, not you. Your good eye for detailing shows perfectly here. That’s why I love it!
Elaine-
February 4, 2011mmpmph!! try 30 days at 30 below lol now that’s where i grew up lol and walked to school in it to boot lol beautiful spring picture, Sherri!!
Krunal
February 4, 2011love this shot absolutely
Don
February 5, 2011This most certainly “warms me” up – neat composition this time of the year.
Robin
February 5, 2011I enjoyed this post, in words and photo. Thank you! :)
george
February 5, 2011Funny how parents say the say things…the shock really is when you realise you sound just like your father/mother – must be genetic! Like your high key image – and it’s title.
chris b
February 6, 2011beautiful shot
Peter
February 7, 2011Nice shot Sherri…..Ivy will make it to the door every time…..it just stopped there for a drink…peter:)
Rob
February 7, 2011Warm is relative; 28 degrees last Saturday was warm to us. Yet I dream of a day when this snow is gone, melted and warm sunny days reign. Nice to see the warm tones and the green of the ivy reaching for the sky.
S. Fann
February 7, 2011hahahaha motivational verse your descriptive heading :) sweet piece.
Cerstin
February 8, 2011Wonderful sunny. Here – in the moment – it is like the spring is near. The ivy looks wonderful on the apricot colored wall.
John Prior
February 8, 2011The memory of sun and water, the Ivy searches for it. Nice image :-)
michele
February 8, 2011enjoyed your writing a lot. this does feel hopeful. and i hope your green-eyed wild flower is not cold
Andrew Graeme Gould
February 9, 2011As if the green leaves and their strong shadows weren’t enough, you’ve gone and sneaked in that fire hydrant (or whatever it is) at the bottom, and that’s precisely what made me smile as I scrolled down… Well seen.
Chris Cardelli
February 17, 2011This is one aspect of what nature teaches me. What a thoughtful image that sparks the mind. Here’s to warm places for green eyed wild flowers.