January seems to be on the speed track with the month already at its halfway mark. Time is moving right along at a pace much faster that we probably all prefer. Yet, with the passing of time lies the anticipation of the natural elements of early spring. Glory in the springtime initiates countless visions: greening hills, warming sun, tulips, pansies and wildflowers popping!
But, WAIT!! Am I being somewhat premature? The presence of ol’ man winter is still felt, chilling to the bone. That is, of course, unless you are relaxing on the beaches of sunny California, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, in the Florida Keys or perhaps cruising the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Ah-h-h-h! Sandy beaches, lounging chairs, suntan oil, basking in warm sunbeams, diving into cool waters—pleasure within an oasis of calm & relaxation!
Okay! Okay! Okay! Back to reality. . .
Before even splashing our mental coloring books with the hues of springtime, we must endure winter’s final chill or last blanket of pure white. As Terri Guillemets once quoted, “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.“
So, put your imagination to work with some enduring visions of Ol’ Man Winter leading to the new birth of spring. Visual images featured today come by way of Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity. Marilyn is an awesome blogger enlightening her visitors and followers with her unique, often humorous writing along with her own awesome photography. She is also a published author. Check out her book The 12-Foot Teepee: A Survivor’s Tale @amazon.
Visions of Ol’ Man Winter
January brings ice palaces and snow
With plants lying dormant underneath
February stirs the depths of winter
Echoing sounds of chattering teeth
Cold sun amid afternoon shadows
Heralds colder temps at night
Warm blankets, cozy fires
Beckon cuddling up oh-so tight
Winter time glistens
Adding its own personal glow
Pulsating with magic in the air
Creating mosaics in the snow
Attuned to the winter cold
Hibernation’s a natural affair
With shorter days, longer nights
Sleeping resembles that of a bear
Sentiments of the winter season
Affirm human nature’s lassitude
Reflections echo the past and present
Offering a melancholy mood
Nature in its own pristine beauty
Soon flourishes after winter’s thaw
Prickly, bristly thorns and spiny things
Will emerge cloaked in springtime’s awe
©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults
catnipoflife 
Love the photos 🙂 But best of all, I like your Old Man Winter picture. I had a book of poems when I was a kid that had that illustration or one just like it … I’ve been looking for it ever since. How fitting it should be part of your poetry 🙂
I snatched it from an Awakenings post I did January 20, 2012. Have no clue where I found it. Back then I was not so good at citing sources 😦 More than likely I found it at Photobucket. I use that souce a lot.
Beautiful pictures, Sharla!!
Thanks goes to Marilyn @Serendipity. Most of these are taken right in her own backyard!
[…] January seems to be on the speed track with the month already at its halfway mark. Time is moving right along at a pace much faster that we probably all prefer. Yet, with the passing of time lies the anticipation of the natural elements of early spring. Glory in the springtime initiates countless visions: greening hills, warming sun, tulips, pansies and wildflowers popping! […]
Great photos, Sharla! And, thanks for the Enya video. I’ve always liked her.