Compare and Contrast

Early April 2012

Early April 2013

Early April 2014

Afire

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames”. ― Rumi

I came across this quote a few weeks back, and it has stuck with me.  I find myself thinking about what it means to me.  I'm not sure if I'm living this way, but I do know one thing - living here helps.

 

It helps because I can wake up, throw back the curtains and witness this:

This picture doesn't do the morning justice.  The clouds loomed over me and they filled every corner of my vision.  I stepped outside and felt enveloped. It was truly overpowering. 

 

Being surrounded by such awe inspiring beauty inspires me to do more and be more.

Winter Morning Skies

Every sunrise is different and every one is revered; be it a fiery show, or a subtle shift in tones, I love them all.

 

 

If You Live on a Lake

If you live on a lake, you see sunrises and sunsets that make you stop and stare in wonderment that such beauty can be real.

 

If you live on a lake, you know the dazzle of a million sparkling waves in the sun.

 

If you live on a lake, you see the lights blink on across the water, and you wonder about the lives that are lived over there.  You wonder if they think of you, too. 

 

If you live on a lake, you see vast darkness in the middle of the night, and you feel wonderfully alone.

 

If you live on a lake, you know the turn of seasons intimately, and know all the delicate intricacies that the changing light can bring to the lake's surface- be it water or ice.

 

If you live on a lake, you are lucky.

A Mountain of Cloud

Sometimes, having rain overnight produces the most interesting sunrises.  Not every beautiful sunrise is bright and fiery.  I often find the most beauty in the cool blues and purples and creams.

 

 

...and then I see the diamond dust on everything.

Sometimes life takes us down difficult paths.  Ones that are hard to traverse, and often leave us wondering why.  Oftentimes these are paths we've chosen for ourselves.  It's important to remember that's it's all worth it in the end. 

 

My mornings these days are full of spit-up and poop and kids that need me, and even though I'm often left wondering why, I never forget that they are my diamond dust and I am a lucky, lucky person.

Title from : Grant Lee Phillips, Strangest Thing

And the Sun Returns

After a week of rain and ice (yes, ice) the sun has returned this morning. 

The blackflies are still nagging us with their presence and temperatures have been less than favourable for getting rid of them.

I really don't mind the rain - and we needed some, and the cooler temperatures don't bother me, but I am pleased to see the sun this morning.

Morning

It's no secret that I really enjoy mornings.  I have always been a morning person.  There are days when I do more before 9 a.m. than I accomplish for the rest of the day.  I like to rise early  during the week (usually around 5 a.m.) to run and enjoy some peace before the rest of the house wakes.

 

 

 

 

 

I love being awake to watch the sun rise.  It is a very important thing to me, and one that has really only developed since since moving to Maple Lake.  I've always loved morning, though.

 

Why?

 

Mornings hold a power that no other time of day does.  Being awake before any one else brings a peace and serenity to me that I struggle to find throughout the rest  of the day.  At sunrise, anything is possible.  Mornings are when we make a choice.  Will it be a good day?  Bad?  Nondescript?

 

 

 

I try every day to choose positivity.  A sunrise is a clean slate.  Anything is possible, and if you're like me and up before anyone else, no one is there to tell you "no".  At sunrise my mind is completely my own, and it's absolutely bursting with possibility.

 

 

From the Weather Book

February 8
- snow!

February 9
- bright, cold, sunny day

February15
- snowy then sunny
- lovely

February 16
- gorgeous sunrise, cold morning

February 19
- lots of snow!
- mild

February 20
 - clear
- cooler, temperature drop late afternoon

February 21
- cold
- clear day

Sunrise Surprise

As I have mentioned, most days the sky over Maple Lake has been heavy and grey.  Low cloud cover has been bringing many snowy days.

This morning, though, on what seemed to be just another drab day, I was surprised to see a perfect pink sky over breakfast.

How appropriate for Valentine's Day.

The rest of the day was snowy, but the pink morning was lovely.

This Morning's Sunrise

Something Missing

I was really looking forward to winter this year in part because of the spectacular sunrises of last year.  They just aren't happening, though.

 

I wonder why.

 

Mornings have been generally dull and grey over the lake, with the occasional hint of pink or orange at the horizon.  I've taken very few sunrise pictures - last year I took them almost every day.

 

Was last year an anomaly created by day after day of high pressure and cloudless skies?  Certainly we have had many more days of dense cloud low in the sky this year.

 

Here's hoping for more days that start like this:

 

 

 

 

There is a certain slant of light....

I love this time of year for the light.  The days are just beginning to lengthen- the sun rising earlier and setting ever so slightly later each day.

 

Even though we are still in the depths of winter, this is the first  sign that the great wheels are turning, and spring will eventually find us.

For now, though, I'm enjoying the crisp, sparkling days and deep violet nights.

Title from: Emily Dickinson

A Few Mornings

These days have been busy days for me, but not so busy that I haven't been taking my morning photos.  It's no secret that morning is my favourite time of day.  Here are some shots from the last few mornings.

We have had a stretch of warmer weather lately, but soon the days and nights will cool, bringing ice and snow once again to Maple Lake.

I am looking forward to the changes the new season will bring.

From the Weather Book

November 9
- mild

November 10
- mild, rain all night



November 11
- WARM!
- a gorgeous day

November 14
- pink sunrise
- wet, heavy snow and light rain in the morning

November 15
- sunny and mild