What Are You Doing For New Year's Eve?

Photo by P. Tonery, Post Ice Storm, December 23, 2013.

New Year Weather Report:  It's going to get cold and colder still. In the first days of the New Year, we're going to lose sight of  the thermometer.  Brrrr. 

Merry Christmas to All!

photo by Matt Jepson,  December 2013

Prayer Card for The Winter Solstice

Prayer Card for The Winter Solstice

POETRY PACIFIC: 2 Poems by M. J. Iuppa

POETRY PACIFIC: 2 Poems by M. J. Iuppa

Two winter poems recently posted on Poetry Pacific.  
Special thanks to the editors.

Silent Night . . .

Winter Moon Over Lake
photo by K. Iuppa


Mid-december.  The semester is over. I'm tired but my heart is glad. I went to bed early last night,wanting the sleep of bears.  Woke up around 3:30 a.m., which  has been my customary hour this semester. When the house is quiet, I can accomplish a lot before the day is underway. I have always  liked the privacy of early morning, even when my children were babies.  Those velvety hours alone with them are some of my favorite memories.

We have so much snow.  The orchard has taken on blue light. Silhouettes of deer grazing on fallen apples. They say we're going to have a real winter this year.  Maybe so. It's been needle cold and the wind  has been pressing down, every night for the past week. I listen to our farmhouse inhale & exhale  in its effort to hold its ground.  I often wonder if we will be swallowed up by the wind and taken far, far away.  I have dreams like that, floating  in the space between land and clouds; sometimes floating above clouds. I'm weightless and carefree.  I smile in these dreams.  Last night was a perfect full moon night.  So cold and sparkly.   

St. Nick brought me: THE END OF THE SEMESTER!

Dear St. Nick,

Thank you for bringing me the end of the semester. Friday marked the last day of classes. Overall, I think I was blessed with wonderful students and I celebrate their success.  It was a pleasure working with them this semester.  We did a lot of work.  Loved my creative writing classes. Sorry, all other writers out there.  The competition just jumped by 66 writers.
This is serious  "SO THERE " talent.

Now, I'm looking forward to the busyness of Finals week.
Last meetings, presentations, exams and portfolios.

Polly, put the kettle on . . .