A Sweet Prescription

At this week's appointment, my doctor asked if I was playing the piano anymore. As I explained how I make practice work for the occasional weeks that I play for church and basically set it aside the rest of the time because of the pain levels and the way it limits what other activities I can do, she said, "Why don't you try ten minutes a day. It's so good for you!"

I agree. I love playing the piano! I love ministering to others through the gift of music at church and elsewhere. I love learning new music, exploring its subtle details, and finding how to make it "sing."

So, I took my first dose of this new prescription today. It was short and sweet. This could be a painless (or at least, less-pain) way to have music ready for my next turn at church. I look forward to tomorrow's dose!

Winter Flowers II

My orchids usually begin blooming in late January, but they started early this year.

Can you see the petals sparkle?!

One of my plants never quit blooming all year since beginning in early 2015! Each blossom can last several months, but this lively plant kept sending out new buds to open before the last had fallen. I've never been given that special gift before in my dozen years of orchid tending.

And not only has this plant kept in blossom... it also grew a baby, or "keiki" (Hawaiian for "baby".) I haven't had that joy for many years either.

Winter Flowers

Frosty Morning II

February 1st

Second foggy morning in a row. More frost to enjoy in a nearly monochromatic world.

And, yes: these photos were taken in color.

Then the sun began to shine!

Frosty Morning

January 31st

Before I put on my much-needed glasses in the morning, I could tell that the outdoor world was different.  It was white!

Even after realizing that my initial impression was created by a layer of frost on the windows, I peeked around the edges to more white... fog and the beautiful frost it left behind.

A while later the sun was out, the fog gone, and frost sparkling everywhere.

Melting

I saw something one day that happens all the time but is so small and "insignificant" that I usually miss it. Yet it was amazing! 

I watched ice crystals melt. We took the lid off a jar of frozen leftovers, and there had formed icy teeth hanging from the inside of the lid. 

As soon as they were exposed, the process began. Icy peaks became more translucent. Jagged glaciers smoothed out. Frosty fields turned to swamps. Mountains began to shrink. Foothills merged together. (Did you know ice and water can writhe and jump?!) 

In a minute or two, it was all over. 

I'm afraid these photos do not show the process very well, and I missed catching the beginning. But here's a little idea anyway...

Sunning on the Deck

-February 1st
-31 degrees Fahrenheit (probably a bit higher at midday)
-Sunshine
-Very little wind

A perfect day to soak up some sun on the deck!

How did any sunshine reach me, you may well ask?! Yes, I was wearing boots, snowpants, a down coat, and sometimes hat or hood.  But the sun found my face and hands. Lovely!

And the fresh air...!!

And all the decreases complete (for the 2nd time; had to rip out the first) on my first sleeve on my first sweater!

More joys of the afternoon outdoors: 

-sharing it with Elsa and her knitting
-crows calling in distant trees
-chickadees feeding nearby
-cat alternately playing and cuddling on the cushions
-dog keeping an eye on us
-a change of scenery!!