Kimberly and I packing for China!!

The day has arrived that Kimberly and I are leaving for China! We have spent a lot of time getting ready the past few months; studying the culture, getting our shots, shopping, packing and now we are ready to go.

We will be traveling to Indy, then to Washington D.C. and then to Beijing, China for ten days. I hope to update here and there on my blog, but am not sure about internet connections!

My journal is packed and I know there will be many stories to share when I get back!!

A Sapphire Winter Morning

A snapshot of this morning's sunrise from my front porch...

This winter has been spectacular with winter weather from Halloween on. We never did have a January thaw or even a cold rain, just the snow and wind and, well, how it should be.

March is proving to be on schedule as well. The sun is bright and the temperatures are above freezing as the snow begins to melt and the sap is beginning to drip in the sugar woods.

Yesterday folks were out on bikes, skateboards, and just filling the streets. Some had on shorts, flip flops (the temperature was mid-forties) and tank tops. I hung laundry out, surveyed the garden and filled all the feeders.

It was great to see some of my neighbors for the first time since November! So today a pot of soup, bread rising on the stove and a walk in the park!

Here is a haiku for the day:

sapphire mornings

gamble away winter snows

piercing light of day

Cahoots Coffee Shop

Photo from the Staircase of Cahoots

Fundraising at Cahoots

High School students sharing their music and their art!

My small town has a wonderful coffee shop just for teenagers and roving adults! Cahoots is located just five blocks from my house and a great place to have lunch or their specialty, White Mocha. This cafe is set up with a piano, pool table, games, books, areas for guitar playing or just conversation.

The past few Saturdays they have hosted a fundraiser for Haiti and an art show! I bought a great photography piece by Lily Green which sold for "$15.00 or best offer." I paid her $15.

Saturday night is another fund raiser which is the Spring Fashion Review. This will feature local downtown merchants, musical entertainment and make overs for all the barristas! I will also be sharing my love of storytelling as well.

So, if you are in the area and need something fun to do, come on out to Cahoots to share in the fun. Doors open at 6:30 and the cost if $20.00 with all proceeds going to Cahoots to keep this great little cafe open to our teens.

March comes in like a lamb...

After this long, long winter, there are signs of spring all over my small town. I came home from school yesterday and there was a patch of bare, brown earth. It was beautiful sight. I hung my laundry out even though the clothesline is still over a snowdrift. I had to pull the ends of the sheets of back over the line. However, how delightful those sheets were with that fresh air.

It was also rumored that someone saw a robin and a crocus. Now, those sightings are not confirmed, so I will keep you informed.

Yes, there are many topics to cover in the world, but for a few minutes how nice to just focus on signs of spring and the sweetness it brings to my small town.

YouTube - The Coolest Book Ever#at=87

YouTube - The Coolest Book Ever#at=87

While researching for my column this week on Snowmen, I found this awesome video...totally!!

It will make you really think about snowmen and finally give some respect to this snowy anthropomorphic creature!

Searching for the Perfect Snowman....

Last night I stoppped over to pick up Matthew and Jonah, ages 5 and 8. I told them to put on their coats because we were on the search of the perfect Snowman. They were excited, well, so was I, as we drove around through town hunting out the best snowmen. I jumped out of the car a dozen times as we passed snowman after snowman. It has been the perfect week to build and photograph them. So here are a few of our favorite snowman from our small town!

                                      

Haiku for yet another winter's day in my small town...

I fill the bird feeders, I walk, I photograph, I tell stories, I write, I drive gingerly to school, to shows, to call dances in this winter wonderland. The snow drifts down daily to remind us that winter holds on and those of us who love it, open the blinds each morning to enjoy the beauty.

Author Rick Bass says that you just have to embrace winter or it will take hold of you and you will be lost within it.

So, poetry to get you through the day, the season....your life? These were taken from my writing journal.

empty streets of ice

longing for summer walkers

all doors frozen shut

bloodlines of winter

run through blue veined lifeless hands-

I'm sleeping til Spring

hunched winter mornings

glittering frosty treetops

canope my soul

The above mentioned book is Winter by Rick Bass.