The View From my "Office"

It's amazing to me how God has created us with a built in need for a little of the wilds to be with us or near us at all times. Some may argue that they are "city folk" and don't long for the outdoors, but will covet their dog or plants with as much fervor as any backpacker or hiker of their favorite trails. In the late winter, when the grey skies and dreary cold seem to smother and choke with their weight and the snowfalls are seemingly unending, I struggle so much with the blues and blahs and the "woe is me's." I'm constantly attempting to remind myself of my blessings and remember reasons to laugh. Ah! I feel so guilty for being down for such a silly thing. Though I admit, it does make starting Lent a more somber time filled with the seriousness and solemnity that it should contain, and makes Pascha that much more joyful when accompanied by spring.
I took this picture on a day given by God as respite from the dreary season we are in. I was able to open my windows and drink in the sun like a man drinking in water while in the desert. So refreshing it was! It made me smile, as does the poem I found for Poetry Wednesday (again, sorry I'm late).

North Wind
by Debbie Ouellet

Stepmother’s-breath
hissing through barren boughs
dispensing discontent,
cold as a witch’s kiss.

Scandalmonger of the fields,
grips ragweed by the forelock
to lay across the line
and beat away the dirt.

Hickory switch,
finger wagging
at a giggle of snowflakes
leapfrogging through ochre fields
and playing knock-knock—

upon her parlor door.

5/365 and last picture till Matt returns home from CO!