Winter is a Time to Remember

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

The first light this morning was a pale golden quiet color.  How softly the sun proclaimed the day . . like it was telling a secret, in a whisper.   . . meant only for the early birds.
  I spent the new year with my three oldest children-and the grandchildren.  The weather was unseasonably warm.  We exchanged gifts right off and then had all sorts of fancy snacks.  It reminded me of “old Christmas”, though it was too early for that.  The whole time we were together seemed like a constant celebration and I think we were all sorry when it ended.  Cold, windy weather was coming and a slight chance of snow, with it.  In the south, even a “slight chance”  causes a commotion. 
I left early on Monday, in thunder and lightening, wind and rain . . .and it was cold!  That afternoon, snow fell on the rabbitpatch, but not a single flake stuck.  I spent time just watching it fall and paid no attention to dust and dishes. 
 I have mentioned before, that I do not make New Year resolutions, for first, I can not keep them .   . .most especially if the resolution requires some rigid routine or restrictions of any sort.  I am weary of them by February-and disappointed in my self.  I do self reflect and revaluate and clearly define my priorities,  regularly. Once, I am convinced of something, I am likely to be successful . . .but it could happen on a Tuesday in May!  Prompts seem to spring up , when I am least expecting them!  I became a vegetarian, one year in October and  I did a massive decluttering, several  years back, in the hot month of July- I stuck to those things. 
Oddly, though, just before Thanksgiving, this past year, a “prompt” popped up “out of  the blue”  and another one, this week.  One, is another way to simplify-and the other adds more enrichment in my life.  I value authenticity and both ideas support that, so now I am once again pondering “lofty notions”, while I peel  potatoes. 
I finally took down the Christmas decorations.  I always wait for “old Christmas” to do so.  “Old Christmas” helps me admit that Christmas is really over and it is always a very spiritual thing for me.  There are less distractions, for one and I find that I really can focus more on the Gift, the grandest of all, bestowed on this world.  I take it personally.  While I disassemble the tree and pack away the wreaths, I  feel melancholy and grateful, all at once. 
 Now winter seems to have finally settled in, in the little coastal town, that I now abide.  Skies are often pewter and the trees hold no secrets.  I love their bare branches and want to be like them, for their beauty changes , but is constant, in all forms. Jade leaves in spring, scarlet in fall, blossoms, fruit or  nuts , resting or not . . . I love trees.  In winter, their shadows fall in lacy patterns  and I have yet to see two tapestries alike.
Winter is the time to make creamy soups and stews.  It is a time to make bread and roast potatoes.  . .or make a good pot of beans   The smell of a kitchen in winter is cozy and warm.  It is a happy time, when the family walks in to such a kitchen . I remember well how good it was to come home from school to Mama frying chicken.  Daddy would pull up from work and every day we celebrated, when all were safely in. Those were “golden” days. 
I am often accused of being old fashion-and with good reason.  People my age certainly know about progression, for we have lived through it and have  seen the results.  Some of our new  methods are wonderful . . .and some are not.  It is just that simple.  As the world  rushes on, I will pause, as needed.  I will daydream by still waters and grow hyacinths and read poetry and linger with wild things in wild places . . .so maybe I am old fashion, after all. 
The time of winter is a time to remember what things matter. The heart may be fickle at times . . . but not always.  Somehow, regardless of intellect, culture or worldly status . . or whether or not we are listening- we know our truth, for it rings out like a church bell. . . and most especially in the quiet of winter. 
Now snow is in the forecast again and what an uproar   that causes, amongst the southerners  ! Southerners either love it or they don’t.  It is only a “chance”, but those of us who love it are clinging to it.  No one has to shovel out their drive way, for the place shuts up altogether.  If we get any snow at all, it is gone quickly, so I am not sure what all there isn’t to love. 
 In light of  even the possibility, I am already plotting.  What will I read, what will I cook and most of all, what will I ponder?       .  
 

 

 

26 thoughts on “Winter is a Time to Remember”

  1. Good Morning my friend and Happy New Year. Maybe one day in the near future I may stop by your Rabbit Patch, would love to say “Hello” in person.

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    1. Now wouldn’t that be fun.?
      We all ,espeially me, love Rabbit and wish her the very best the New Year can offer. Here in Central Mississippi we have had one spit of snow…now possibilly another coming in tomorrow. Not a big chance but I did go get extra cat food for all of the outside cats just in case. Secret…I really wish they weren’t here but they are and I don’t have mice to worry about. There are some good things that come with bad. Until later….Love to all of Rabbits friends.

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  3. Hello and Happy New Year to you. Last night we got 4 inches of heavy we snow. These days are made for baking and sewing. Is the photo on your page your New Rabbit Patch? Looks so inviting. Stay safe and healthy

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  5. I love your words, so descriptive. I enjoyed reading them just after finishing a nice dinner of homemade Turkey soup with umpteen veggies in the broth and a side of roasted asparagus. Now I’ll get lazy as we await the snow coming to western NY. Thanks for the comfort words and images (Go, Bills!)

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  6. We, too, are awaiting snow. I’m sitting at the computer where I can look slightly right at the northeastern mountains. The tops are swathed in white clouds or mist, so I think it is snowing there. We won’t get any until the temperature drops, which should be in the middle of the night. I hope the air will be filled with swirling flakes when I get up tomorrow. I’m still Southern at heart, having lived my first 21 years in Tennessee.

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  7. I will ponder with you. ♥️🌿✨I do more words and or inspiring phrases than resolutions. I still haven’t tucked away Christmas yet. The tree we got later in December from a local tree farm is still fragrant. The time is coming, though. I love the term old Christmas. ♥️🌿✨

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  9. The fruit , one of them, of your pondering, are your posts on this page. The make your pages sing of goodness and grace. I love reading about your traditions and seasons. And about snow! I have only ever seen snow once or twice in the distance from a speeding train in France.

    Tomorrow will be 40 degrees Celsius here in Perth, Western Australia. The start of another heatwave. We will eat salads cold fruit.

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  14. I love, love love this post. I posted something after a long time. A lot had changed on WordPress and took me awhile to work things out again. Not entirely yet anyway, especially with one compromised arm. But I was pleased to see a like from my favourite writer/blogger. I felt like a school kid getting a tick of approval from her favourite teacher. A lot has happened since my last visit to the blog. I shall write about them in due course. The long and the short of it is that I am nursing a horrible shoulder injury. But I am way better than what I was 5 months ago.
    Now, are you still a vegetarian. I just love the way you write.

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      1. It was a pretty nasty injury. But I have to be thankful that I didn’t hit my head or injure my spine. I am recovering well. A long way to go though, but compared to what I was 5 months ago, I am in a better place. Btw have you seen a Srilankan Hindu Wedding before? The video a very small snippet of it. The whole wedding can take almost half day.

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  15. Pondering lofty thoughts while peeling potatoes & perhaps smelling a pot of baked beans cooking, or any such combination sounds like a perfectly wonderful way to pass some time… (you’ve now given me a hankeeing for baked beans, which I haven’t had in far too long. We always used the white navy beans & bake with molasses… both of which take a bit of hunting to find here.) Happy New Year Michele!

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  16. I love being old-fashioned, and seek out opportunities to be so at every turn. I shave with shaving soap, a brush, and a safety razor so the grandkids can remember it one day, in the same way I remember my own grandfather.
    I use proper manners, too, with family and children as well as guests.
    Another thing that seems to be fading into “old-fashion”.
    Don’t look now: we ARE those old folks now…

    All my best,

    Scott

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    1. I KNOW! Goodness, how good that you shave in that way for the grandkids! I remember my Pop shaved that way. Did he ever think I would remember it always? Good manners! I am amazed that folks really don’t know as adults, what I knew before going to school. It is sad to see beauty lost-isn’t it? your fan, Micyhele

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