Looking at snow like a child...

This photo was taken by Catherine Pritchard.

Dear Friends,

I don't know how many days we are into Winter, I think I have lost count. I am not even sure how many inches of snow have fallen in northern Indiana, but I do know this is the winter we will never forget.

I must confess that if I must have a broken ankle (and I do), then this was the year to do so. 

Philip has been my constant companion taking care of house details and me. His daily chores include shoveling and filling the bird feeders which are right outside my south windows. 

The landscape continues to be white, yet it is different every day. It is different the way the wind blows the small drifts around to other locations. The birds bring new friends each day and the deep blue shadows are beginning to find their way toward spring.

I sleep downstairs by the windows now; where the wind is stronger. I love lifting the deep red blind to check on the night from this viewpoint as well.

Rick Bass (author of "Winter) once wrote, "But if you remember to look at the snow like a child, or a Texan-gazing up, trying to see where it originates-then the slowness into which it falls, the paralysis of its journey, will drop you immediately into a lower, slower state, one where your're sure to live twice as long, and see twice as many things, and be two times as happy at the end. Snow's more wonderful than rain, than anything."

Today's photo is shared with permission by Catherine Pritchard. Catherine is a writer and a photographer. I loved this view of frost on the windowpane.

Until tomorrow,

Lou Ann

The scent of a book is amazingly delicious...

Just a few books from my studio.

This week's column does not focus on Phil or on the Superbowl, but on books. It does take us to the Fort Wayne library with my dad; to Dublin, Ireland with Ellen; and to the Remnant Trust at Trine University. Just click on the link below!

As always, thank you for reading! Enjoy.

Until tomorrow, 

Lou Ann

P.S. And go Broncos!

The scent of a book is amazingly delicious - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year Celebration in Amsterdam

Today is Chinese New Year and is the celebration of the year of the horse.

I found this photo of the dragon on the web in celebration in Amsterdam.

I started celebrating Chinese New Year when I became a host family for Mengting. We were together for four years before she moved on to Notre Dame. Mengting became a part of our family in every way. We taught her our American customs, and she her Chinese heritage.

This year is no exception to the celebration. We will all wear red, share each other's cooking, play Chinese New Year games and send off a small lantern into the night to end the celebration. Karen is hosting the party this year, all I have to do is figure out a way to get there!

So. wear a little red on this day, and perhaps give a salutation to your friends, "Happy Chinese New Year!" 

Until tomorrow,

Lou Ann

And so January continues...

Photo courtesy of the Angola Sheriff's Department

My winter photos have become common place now. They also have become common place with you as well. I love this one in particular as it really shows how vulnerable we are to weather, especially winter this year.

I have also, of course, been watching winter slide across America through photos on Facebook and the news. We complain. We groan. We wish for Spring, but in our heart of hearts do we love what we cannot control?

We are in charge of so many things in our life. I have always enjoyed the fact that weather still happens and we must live in the middle of it.

If you have a photo you would like for me to share this January, please send it on to my email address: Locketoftime@aol.com

Since I am not out and about I would love to share your photos this winter.

Until tomorrow,

Lou Ann

A Storyteller Remembers Pete Seeger

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

I have been wondering today how we live without Pete Seeger in our lives? He was the inspiration for our hippie days, our homesteading days and our current lives in the face of politics and art. He knew how to bring community to all who gathered at his feet or around the record player.

 

A few years ago I had the privilege of hearing him perform at the National Storytelling Conference in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He was to do the gospel sing on Sunday morning under one of the largest tents. Ellen Munds and I got up extra early to make sure we had good seats. It was a cold morning with frost on the ground, but a lovely sunrise.

 

And there he was...Pete Seeger. I think I began to cry at the beginning of his show. He sang all of our favorites and everyone sang as well. At the end we sang acapella, Amazing Grace. By then everyone was standing and weeping all at the same time.

 

I will never forget that experience.

 

Thank you Pete Seeger for all you gave us. I can't help but weep now as I write.

 

Good night to Pete and farewell to one of America's greatest musicians, activists and human beings.

Until tomorrow,

Lou Ann

Icy mishap leads to quite the lifestyle change -

Icy mishap leads to quite the lifestyle change - KPCNews: Kpcnews



Dear Friends,



Just click the above link for this week's column! As always, thank you for reading.



Lou Ann

Eridanus the River

Eridanus the River from "EarthSky"

A week passes and the blog goes untouched.

The story: Last Thursday afternoon I slid on a patch of ice. This slide resulted in the breaking of three bones in my ankle and a trip to the surgery department at Lutheran Hospital on Friday morning. Needless to say, the world again goes into topsy turvy mode and everything changes. 

My cast is the size of a watermelon, but not quite so colorful. Each day that passes brings folks to my house with gifts and stories. Could this be like the Magi?

Today's blog is a view of the constellation Eridanus the River. This can be followed from Orion. This constellation is not able to be viewed from the city or even the suburbs. It is visible in the darkest of nights. I chose this because possibly our best work, our best person is visible in the darkest of nights as well.

I have had these dark feelings for a week while beginning the recuperation process, depending on others, and watching the world from my small perspective. It is during these times we can see Eridanus the River.

The next few weeks my blog will be filled of stories from those who visit, poetry from friends, and photos from other cameras. I might even lift interesting tidbits from past blogs.

Until tomorrow, try to find the darkest of skies to view Eridanus,

Lou Ann