Christmas lights

I Blinked – Day 819

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Tundra – Photo: L. Weikel

I Blinked

I blinked and the weekend was over. It feels like I fell into a time warp or something.

The really weird thing is that all day Friday I kept thinking it was Saturday. So you’d think having an ‘extra’ day would’ve made the weekend feel longer. Alas, it did not.

Perhaps it was all the big plans I had for the weekend. I had my sights set on crossing a lot of things that have been hanging over my head (or lurking in the recesses of my mind) off my list. Just setting them up like pins and knocking them down: plink, plink, plink.

I think I may have succeeded in getting one plink plunked. But then the snow came.

Classically Lovely

Somewhat surprisingly given the bland wimp-out winters of virtually no snow we’ve experienced over a past fair number of years, we actually got an additional 8-10” of snow today. And that’s on top of the 18” or so we received just last Monday!

This snow, though, was one of those classically lovely ones where the fluffy precipitation piles up on even the tiniest branches of all the trees, as well as the bushes, fence posts, weeds and wires. Suddenly the world is outlined in a generous blanket of cotton candy.

It’s been a veritable snow extravaganza here over the past seven days, to be honest. And I hear there’s potential for more in the offing, perhaps as soon as Thursday. It makes me want to get a sled out of the garage and go sleigh-riding down the hill near the creek. Much to my chagrin, however, I can feel black and blue spots just itching to be birthed should I indulge that desire. The sadness I feel in admitting that truth is real.

Starry Forest – Photo: L. Weikel (Note: Sirius at the bottom center of the photo)

Nevertheless, We Walked

In spite of all the shoveling, Karl and I did squeeze in a walk. Neither one of us really felt like it, but we were rewarded for our persistence beyond measure.

I was able to capture some moments that are startlingly diverse. One shot looks like we were walking in the tundra. Another feels more like a stroll along a path in the midst of a vast forest with only the stars to guide us. And a third makes our yard look like a fairy wonderland courtesy of the Christmas lights we left up for just this opportunity.

The leg of our journey that took us through the forest yielded a shout out from both a screech owl and a Great Horned owl.

It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Candy Lights – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-292)

Christmas Lights – Day 507

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Christmas Lights in April (2020) – Photo: L.Weikel

Christmas Lights

I walked outside this evening and was entranced by the exquisite clarity of the night sky. A cool breeze wrapped around me, but I noticed that it wasn’t harboring a cold edge. Rather, it was refreshing and soothing; it almost seemed happy to see me outside, looking up, drinking in the brilliance of the half moon above me. The stars seemed unusually bright and twinkly.

The wind sighed in the massive boughs of the pines across the road.

I don’t know what it was about this evening that felt so different. But it did. And it does.

I went outside for the express purpose of taking a photo of our smattering of Christmas lights which we never took down and recently decided to reignite for a bit. Obviously, my purpose in venturing outside to take a photo of the lights was to share them with you.

Giving and Receiving

There’s probably something to that – a connection between my desire to share the simple pleasure of colorful lights decorating the darkness and the unexpected blessing of feeling seen and greeted, dazzled even, by the totality of the Earth, wind, sky, moon, and stars.

The entire experience has left me near tears. Perhaps just more of those weird feelings. Or perhaps its something else. Something bigger.

It feels bigger. The stillness feels bigger. The precious interconnection between everything – all of us – feels more acute to me.

My Intention

The point of tonight’s post was simply to share the joy it gave Karl and me to turn our Christmas lights back on and bring some color and whimsy to the darkness.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the night; I love darkness, especially when our eyes adjust and we realize it’s not dark at all.

But right now it feels like we could all use a little reminder. It’s funny. The lights we strung outside this past Christmas season were not traditional Christmas colors at all. And lighting up the night right now, they seem particularly appropriate: orange, green, blue and red. What an odd conglomeration. Brilliant colors nevertheless – illuminating the night.

And if I hadn’t chosen to write this post tonight and wanted to include a photo of our Christmas lights, I never would have experienced the embrace of Nature I received.

So…thank you.

(T-604)

 

Laptop Guardian – Day 405

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Laptop Guardian – Photo: L. Weikel

Laptop Guardian 

Now and then we all encounter obstacles. Every once in a while, we run into unexpected snags to our most thoughtful plans or well-practiced habits.

This evening, my long-standing routine of writing my nightly 1111 Devotion post on my MacBook Air, a habit precipitated by my Dell laptop’s nervous breakdown shortly into the establishment of this Act of Power, was nearly entirely derailed by Cletus.

I first encountered Cletus the Laptop Guardian when I glanced across the room and focused my attention on my MacBook this evening. When I walked over to my writing machine with an eye toward crafting my post (and maybe even getting to bed at a half reasonable hour – an idea instantly THWARTED), I realized this was not a case of simply placing said portable computer into my lap.

No, I was going to have to face the Laptop Guardian.

He Looks Innocent Enough

At first glance, this evil trickster looks innocent enough. In fact, he almost appears to be downright cute. Possibly even cuddly.

Half a stretch here, a “come hither” extended paw there. Oh yes, he looks like he’s just snoozing near the laptop because, oh, I don’t know. It was warm? It whirred occasionally and he mistook it for a purr? I don’t honestly get the attraction.

I make my move, assuming I should have nothing to fear. He is a good kitty. Or so I tell myself, completely disregarding any and all experiences I’ve heretofore had with him.

Yikes! A faint merrow and a shift of position change the game.

Cletus the Guardian’s Stink Eye – Photo: L. Weikel

Nope. He immediately assumes lockdown position, swiftly morphing from innocent playful mode to full-on stink-eye. It’f obvious that f I even think about slipping that laptop out from under him, he will slice my hand as thoroughly as any guardian slays a dragon.

Hmm. There’s distinct tension in the air. I’m tired. I don’t feel like having to mess with this psycho cat. (“Good kitty” my behind.)

And then I follow his gaze and realize: I’m up to this task! I’ve got this.

Classic Bribery – or Bait and Switch?

Regardless, I know I need to be smooth and quick. Deftly removing my necklace of Christmas lights and palming them to maintain surprise, I approach Cletus again. This time, though, I dangle the little lights close to his fur, but carefully maintaining my distance. I don’t want him snagging them.

Score!

He’s distracted enough for me to swipe the laptop out from under him while he contemplates the dazzle of Christmas lights dancing enticingly on his fur.

I hope you guys realize the risk I have to shoulder sometimes just to get a post written every night. It’s a tough job, but…

Joyous Solstice!

Cletus the Guardian: Bribed – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-706)