all to soon ..

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/15984068073/

All to soon winter draws to a close..

Not that long ago -13c wound have been bone chilling, but yesterday the temperature rose to a balmy -13c and it felt like Spring!

For a time I was downtown with friends but when I got home I was restless, luckily so was the dog ;-)

So with a lighter jacket and thinner gloves, Winter (our dog, pictured above), Brit and I went for a walk in the local woods.

I was surprised to see flocks of birds in the bare tree's, maybe just mourning doves and sparrows but they were there.

The twittering of the sparrows and the call of the chickadee's added to the silence, the crunch of our boots on the snow added the backdrop.

The day felt lighter somehow and the gently falling snow made for a picture perfect scene.

Yes Spring may only be a month away but its days like this that make me want to delay Springs arrival, just for a while longer..

“A small bird twitters on a leafless spray,
Across the snow-waste breaks a gleam of gold:
What token can I give my friend to-day
But February blossoms, pure and cold?

Frail gifts from Nature's half-reluctant hand...
I see the signs of spring about the land...
These chill snowdrops, fresh from wintry bowers,
Are the forerunners of a world of flowers”.
~Sarah Doudney, "Snowdrops (Consolation)," c.1881

Its all in your mind...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/16537783755/

At this time of year, some, well most, people look out of the window, listen to the weather report, shudder and turn up the heat a notch.

Not me, after taking Winter for her morning walk I decided it was a beautiful morning and I wanted to get out on my own for a while.

So I wrapped myself up and headed for one of my favourite spots, the U of G Arboretum.

On this wonderful winters day I had the parking lot to myself, the trails covered in fresh snow, only marked by the off bunny track.

The woods echoed with bird song and the only other sounds were the crunching of the snow and my breathing .

I made two laps of the trails just 'because'.

My excuse was that Whyndam Arts Supply wasn't open yet so I may as well walk some more...

In reality I was just having too good a time, eventually my jacket was unzipped and my gloves were in my pocket and I walked with a stupid grin on my face as my breath formed clouds in front of me.

As the morning wore on I did meet a few like minded individuals but mostly I was alone with my thoughts.

What a great morning to be alive...

“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same”. ~Francesca Reigler

"Forest Bathing"

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/16278526819/

“Forest Bathing..”

What?

“Forest Bathing” or what later became “Forest Therapy”:

"The purpose of forest therapy is to provide preventive medical effects by relieving stress and recovering the immune system [diminished]by stress,"

Yoshifumi Miyazaki of Chiba University explained. As Japan's leading scholar on forest medicine, he's carried out studies across the country. The results show forest bathing can significantly lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, along with blood pressure and heart rate.

Other research points out that walking in the woods can boost the body's immune system by increasing anti-cancer proteins and enhancing the so-called natural killer activity of certain cells.

Ah so that's why a walk in the woods invigorates, replenishes and rejuvenates me!

I always knew that but apparently it's not just me and there is evidence.

Maybe doctors should prescribe “a walk in the woods, take once daily and repeat”

No the major drug companies won't get rich(er) but you will.

Richer in body, mind and spirit.

The whole article is here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/in-japan-healthy-minds-rejuvenate-in-healthy-forests/article4266258/

“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”.
~George Gordon, Lord Byron, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage

January Man

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajn_photography/15774828904/

 

I look out of the window and see the gray dawn rising, the temperature a cool -8c. 

The weatherman tells of a storm approaching; snow, blowing snow and cold.

But I am safe at home looking forward to a walk with the dog.

Others face a long drive through these worsening conditions.

My thoughts are with my friend Doug and his wife Lynn who face such a drive.

Be safe my friend...

Now back to my post for this week ..

There goes January:

January has taken it's turn for this year and February steps in.

How quickly the days, months and years disappear into history..

Yesterday we celebrated my daughters birthday, ** years ago she was brought into this world, now she is a woman and I am older and wiser(?) and the wheel of life continues to turn.

This train of thought brought to mind the song by an English comedian Mike Harding

January Man

The January man he walks abroad and woollen coat and boots of leather
The February man still brushes snow from off his head and blows his hands
The man of March looks through the Spring and he wonders what each year will bring
And he hopes for better weather

Through April rain the man goes down to see the birds come in to share the summer
The man of May stands very still watching the children dance away the day
In June the man inside the man he's young and wants to lend a hand
And he welcomes each new comer

And in July the man in cotton shirts he sits and dreams of being idle
The August man in thousands takes the road to find the sun and see the sea
September man is standing near to saddle up and lead the year
And Autumn is his bridle

Then the new October man he takes the reins and early frost is on his shoulders
The poor November man sees frost and fire and wind and rain and winters cold
December man looks through the snow to let eleven brothers know
That they're all a little older

Then the January man comes round again in woollen coat and boots of leather
To take another turn to walk along the icy road he knows so well
The January man is here for starting each and every year
Along the road forever ~ Mike Harding

If you want to hear it :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo73dabbnGk