Friday 15 January 2016

Sunshine and Shadow ...

 
The early morning sky was pink and welcoming.
Come outside and play, it said.
The sun rises.
It offers no heat.
Casting shadows - silhouettes of trees across walls and fields and newly emerging winter wheat.
The temperature has dropped rapidly.
The bright light is deceptive.
It is bitterly cold; sharp and piercing.
I walk - hatless - my ears tingle.
And I cannot feel my fingers.
I wear a thick wool coat but the wind finds its way inside.
I pull my collar closer and walk a little faster.
January.
Not my favourite month.
When life becomes dull.
And rainbows hang half-hearted in the slate grey skies.
And the heart is restless.
Waiting for spring.






 

 
 


Elaine









60 comments:

  1. Lovely skies and green fields, despite the season! Love the birds on that last shot and the rolling hills countryside!

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    1. It's no wonder the fields are green with the amount of rain we have had this winter so far Sandra. That bush is the sparrows favourite spot for sunbathing - right outside the window - so we can watch them in comfort.

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  2. Look how beautiful January is Elaine ...... flowers, rainbows, birds, sheep, cottages and a pink sunrise ..... gorgeous. XXXX

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    1. It certainly looks more beautiful when the sun comes out that's for sure.

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  3. Adore the sheep! We are all waiting, sometimes patiently but mostly not, for spring especially when the garden catalogs begin to arrive. We have a few more snow storms to endure first. Wonderful photos.

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    1. Other sheep was very accommodating posing for me. Our weather is all set to take a turn for the worse - back to seasonal normality.

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    2. That should read the sheep not other sheep!

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  4. Good post and lovely pictures. I especially like the sparrows.
    Keep warm and have a good weekend. Flighty xx

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    1. Thanks Flighty. We have got the log fire revved up - it is very cosy in here.

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  5. You may be feeling dull in January (as I do) but your photos paint a different picture; life looks wonderful through your camera lens.

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    1. Thank you - the pictures always look better in the sunlight. I do tend to get a bit restless at this time of year.

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  6. Oh how I love the shot of the sparrows.

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    1. They were sunbathing at the time Donna - in their favourite spot outside the window.

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  7. Once again, there is magic in your photos as you capture the beauty of your surroundings. Beautiful!

    Happy New Year to you Elaine!

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    1. Thank you CD - happy new year to you too.

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  8. Haver you thought of setting up an illustrated poetry book, Elaine? It could sit alongside the novel. What happened to that - what about some instalments to pass some none gardening days?

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    1. No I hadn't Sue - no chance of that! The novel is sitting in a drawer vegetating 😳

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  9. You always find such beauty around you, thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures.

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    1. Thank you - it's not hard to find beauty living in this beautiful countryside.

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  10. It's lovely to see the colourers in your photos..
    Amanda xx

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    1. Hi Amanda nice to see you again - thank you.

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  11. My favourite is the houses and shadows. The shadow of the tree on the end house shows a true artist.

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    1. Thanks Rachel - from one artist to another.

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  12. I see that your camera sees things a bit different... It must be the cold, not the colour. The moment you are in again, tea pouring into a cup with rock sugar crackling, you are warmed up - body and soul.

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    1. It was certainly good to get back indoors to warm up - yes with a cup of tea in front of the fire.

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  13. January you say? My goodness everything looks so lush and green. Even the sheep agree.
    It is the pastoral hills that beckon my heart.
    There is so much beauty out there and I'm so grateful you have shared it.
    Susan x

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    1. I know - it does seem unseasonally green but we have barely had any winter weather yet. I love these ancient hills that surround my home and never tire of looking and photographing them. Have a lovely weekend.

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  14. I love the landscapes, Elaine. It is so cold here in the mountains of CO, too. I skied this AM, and I certainly dress for it, but I was nearly frozen after a few hours. Once you're chilled, there's no warming up unless you sit by a fire and drink something hot (which I'm not doing, reading your blog).

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    1. I know my sort of winter cold doesn't compare to yours - it is the wind chill factor here that makes it seem colder than it actually is. Warm drinks are definitely on the menu and we have a lovely log fire to warm our bones after a chilly walk.

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  15. The shots of the lamb and the birds are just priceless....

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    1. It's always there if you look hard enough, even in January.

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  17. Your photographs are always beautiful. I love the 5 bar gate with distant sheep. I could lean on that gate all day long (as long as I was warm).

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    1. Thanks Cro. That gate seems to crop up in a lot of my photos - as I can see it from the bedroom window.

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  18. You have made January look and sound so beautiful, Elaine. I love your words 'and the heart is restless, waiting for Spring' - this is how we feel and you express it so well:)

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    1. Thanks Rosie - for your kind comment. Just a few more weeks.

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  19. Such a wonderful post, Elaine! Gorgeous photos!
    Seen from where I live, your January looks very friendly and beautiful. :)
    Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Thank you Sara - I appreciate your comments. Alas, the weather is turning, we have snow this evening. Enjoy the rest of your weekend too.

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  20. Lovely pictures and your words are excellent - they absolutely sum up the way I have been feeling this last week, now the rain has stopped for a while and we are having some bright but cold sunshine.
    It makes such a difference to how we feel - uplifting!
    But the sunshine through the dirty windows tells me it's nearly time for spring cleaning...
    All the best :)

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    1. Thanks Pat - funny how a bit of blue sky and sun can make all the difference - unfortunately it highlights all the cobwebs on the ceiling!

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  21. January may not be as lovely as other months but you have managed to capture its unique beauty in these beautiful photos. Seeing the rainbow was such a delight. Take care and stay warm. Spring will come!

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    1. Hi Debbie,
      It was only half a rainbow unfortunately, like I said a bit of a half-hearted one. It has started snowing this evening - wonder what we will wake up to in the morning!

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  22. January is not my most favourite month either. I can't complain too much this year though. We've had a pretty mild start to winter and I can't tell you how grateful I am for those days when the weather warm enough to venture outside for a walk.

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    1. Let's hope it stays mild for you and doesn't turn into a marathon like last winter.

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  23. It's February that really gets me down Elaine but January runs close at heel. At least we have some proper winter weather this weekend which has been most reassuring after the wet and warmth that was December. Spring isn't really so far away now :)

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    1. I try to remain positive during the winter however foul the weather is - not easy! And yes six weeks or so to spring - things can only get better, fingers crossed.

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  24. I'm not a fan of January either, but your post brought a little sunshine to a grey miserable day! What a lovely rainbow....and it is lovely to see those sparrows and hellebores. Beautiful pics as always....not long to wait for Spring¬xxx

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    1. We had snow but only for one day - lovely whilst it lasted though. Spring is just around the corner hopefully.

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  25. I love the pictures especially the one of the birds. You have captured the atmosphere of January. Have a wonderful week. :)

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    1. The sparrows were very obliging posing outside the window especially for the photo. Hope you have a good week too.

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  26. Lovely photos Elaine - which give January a bright spring-like feel. It's been good to have a few bright sunny days even if they have been cold - better than the grey wet ones. Lovely pastoral scenes

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    1. Thanks Sue - it does look spring like but is jolly cold with it.

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  27. Stunning hellebores. I was fooled by the sun today. Should have worn two jumpers.

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    1. I grew the hellebores from seed would you believe - they have done far better than the shop bought ones. Yes, the sun is very deceptive, layering is definitely on the menu.

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  28. Lovely post again Elaine and such lovely photos.

    I wrapped up warm this afternoon and ventured out into the sunshine, we haven't had any of that for a few days ... so it was lovely.

    Came home to a great cup of tea ... and then a short while ago 'hubbie' said would you like a glass of wine ... well I didn't say no LOL!

    Keep warm and enjoy the rest of your week

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks Jan. I did the same thing - the sun was quite warm which made a nice change - I didn't have to walk quite so briskly! It does make such a difference doesn't it. Enjoy the rest of your week too.

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  29. The sky was just like that on the way to work this morning. I would have loved to have just stopped and stared. It was good therefore to appreciate and enjoy your pictures. Sarah x

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    1. There have been some wonderful skies of late - the sunrise this morning was spectacular - it reminded me of the sea - only the waves were red - gorgeous.

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