Author: Wolf Moon Dawn

Oh What a Beautiful Morning…

Today was one of those sleepy dreadful mornings, as the day after Super Bowl generally is.  As I finished getting my son ready, I watched the morning news which reported about a beautiful green-blue meteor that lit up the 1:30 a.m. skies.  I ran to tell my son, who is just as fascinated as me when we hear reports such as these.  We regrettably agreed we wished it was us who eyewitnessed this last night, as I turned off the TV.  I refilled the bird seed in the feeder and then proceeded to the car.

My son absolutely despised going to school today, as he sleepily closed the car door.  I yelled to him don’t worry, it will be a good day as I blew a kiss out the car window.  On my way home, the morning sun began to peek through the clouds.  As I entered my neighborhood, I was delighted to see not one, but SIX deer crossing the street one by one!  I smiled as the last straggler hesitated, glanced at me for reassurance, and then continued on the path of the others.  When I then entered my home, I already had one of my feral kitty’s patiently waiting for his morning morsels.  I quickly brought him his breakfast and he happily lapped up the milk with a flickering tail waving up high as if to say, thank you for remembering me today!  I walked upstairs, and smiled from ear to ear as I now watched my favorite feathered friend, the tufted titmouse happily hoarding the fresh sunflower seeds I added to the feeder at day break, before the competition begins with all of the other visitors that will soon be joining him.  He hopped along my deck hurriedly yet delicately, seizing quickly, yet daintily, every seed he can.

As I sluggishly gazed at this wondrous display of beauty and grace, I thought quietly to myself, oh what a beautiful morning, as I contentedly continued about my day.

6 More Weeks of Winter…YAY!

Well, my chubby little friend, Punxsutawney Phil made his long awaited prediction today, and to the dismay of many of his followers, winter will continue marching on for six more weeks.  Was he truly right as he crawled back to bed after witnessing his shadow?  It happened near 7:30 a.m. EST today, and for us watchers in the Midwest, Spring has already shown itself in a few different ways.  Just two days ago I spotted my first robin, happily hopping along the brown grass hunting for any worms to feast.  Also, the temperatures have reached above normal several days in January, including the dreaded lack of snow!

As a winter lover, I am believing in my plump weather rodent and yearning for one mammoth snow storm to complete my seasonal fix!  Once that happens, then Spring can cheerfully move on in, and the masses can proceed to gloat, but until then, please let Mr. Phil’s forecast continue as planned.  Good night my Pennsylvania furry friend, see you again the same time next year…

Another Gloomy Day

Well, it’s another gloomy day in January, as I struggle to find any highlights to brighten my mood.  I look up to the sky and the gray clouds spread thickly without any shed of light.  Now mind you, I am actually one of those strange individuals that prefer gray skies over blue, and welcome the rain over sunshine.  Yet, why do I feel so bummed and down?  It can’t be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because I worship the gray skies and winter days.  So, then what can it be?  Simply explained as any Midwestern knows, at this time of year we generally have quite a few inches of snow on the ground, with several more on the way.  Could this be it?  Do I have some unnamed disorder that is opposite of SAD?  It surely makes sense to me.  I know I’m not the only one.  There are a few other comrades out there that jump for joy when we hear Winter Storm Warning, or better yet, Blizzard Warning! I so look forward to intently watching the minute by minute weather reports in hopes of that BIG storm coming my way, with school day cancellations and manic mobs rushing to the stores for staples as if the world is coming to an end.

In actuality, it isn’t the storm itself I cherish. It is the feeling that overcomes me as the powdery night approaches.  I delight in the beautiful calm and silence that travels across my neighborhood.  It is truly the most relaxing feeling when a snowstorm hits and there is only the brief moments of howling wind tossing the snow upon my windows.  I do however welcome the occasional scrape of a snow shovel reaching pavement nearby, or the slow chug of a snowblower three doors down, or the happy giggles and cheers of the children playing next door after receiving the wondrous call that school is closed tomorrow, or most importantly, the echoing Hellos and Thank Yous heard from neighbors lending a hand where they can.

Snowstorms are strange that way.  Many people complain and dread the frustrations of storms; however, it is amazing how such storms can bring compassion to the forefront and how they awaken the goodness in others.  I guess that is what I am missing.  I checked the weather reports for the coming weeks and the only snow in sight is just a slight dusting.  My son is disappointed as well as he is waiting to sled, throw snowballs, and build that snowman that we haven’t had a chance to conquer.

Oh well.  What I can say.  How can I proceed to brighten this day when all I see is black colored slush in the corners of the streets, half dead looking plants begging for a white veil to brighten them, and crunchy brownish green lawns wishing for an ivory blanket to camouflage their unsightliness.

Well, I guess I can start by expressing my delight at the peaceful dainty cardinal thanking me for the fresh seed I replenished in the bird feeder, or the comforting “see you later” from my hubby as he walked out the door for work, or the chubby feral gray cat that just acknowledged me with a satisfied lip smack for the daily dish of milk and nourishment I supplied, or the warming bear hug from my son who softly expressed “I love you mama” as he shut the door to the car this morning as I dropped him off at school.

When I think of all the wonderful things that just happened to me in the last few hours of my morning, how can I not be revitalized and inspired to wash away my negative thoughts that this is just another gloomy day and beam once more remembering that there is always something good in my day.  I just need to open my heart and mind to see and feel it.  Hey, there will be another snow day sometime in the future, but until then, I am going to remember all of the little things that make me smile everyday.

 

The Trespasser

It was that time again for Angel’s nightly romp

So we crossed the driveway as my boots gave a clomp.

The moonlight cast enough light below

As if to say, Hey I’m watching you know.

We ended up on the frost covered grass

On my front lawn we hurried at last.

The winter’s chill hit me as swift as can be

I told Angel “Hurry up” and then she started to pee.

As I waited I shrieked “Oh no, not again!”,

I glanced at my watch and it was ½ past 10.

I couldn’t believe the Trespasser was here

Building his home without any fear.

I struggled to keep my balance intact

As I counted the raised patches, should I overreact?

I asked out loud, “why must you come and always see me,”

“Why don’t you live next door and be happy?”

If my neighbors heard me they surely would giggle

Knowing I once again am the victim of this wriggle.

At this point Angel wagged her tail to go in

We moved toward the door and I paused with a grin

I decided maybe I shouldn’t be so tough on this guy

Hey, he needs a home just like you and I.

I figured why worry, I’ll just fix it once more

It’s not worth the effort to fight another war.

I shut the garage and hollered “Goodnight Mr. Mole”,

“See you same time tomorrow”, as you add one more hole.

The Moment is now…

Today is the day I begin a new journey in life.  As January approached, and the idea of a new year set in, I realized my time is now to change.  Change my life in a way that not only makes me a better person, but also in a way to nourish my soul.  I decided to begin to write.  I have always had a passion for writing; however, life truly never gave me the opportunity to grab hold of this love. I always made excuses or wrapped myself in “career or educational writings” that were “required” writings, but not deep down explorative writings.  When I was young, I loved to write short stories, songs, poems, you name it.   Anything that came to me, I jotted down.  However, as time went on, and I became an adult, things changed.  I never seemed to have time to write or I chose my preferred sitting in front of the TV escape.  Well, this has now changed….

Back in August, I was laid off from my job.  It was a shock when it occurred, but as time crawled by, it gave me a real opportunity to explore myself and see what I really wanted to do in life.  The Wolf Moon on the 12th opened my eyes and mind, and then Friday the 13th sealed my decision.  “I need to do this”, I said to myself and that was it.  It was now real and I was not planning on turning back.

Since that moment I started planning to pursue my love of writing.  I have a deep connection to nature so I will be mostly concentrating my writings in this arena.  I have never felt more relieved and certain about my decision.  It seems as though the stars were aligned and my prayers had been finally answered to shed clarity upon me and make me believe this is the time to change my life. The moment is now and I will embrace and share my experiences with the world…