Winter snow quietly humbles me like it humbles the soft brown weeds leftover from the year before.

Time flies when you're having fun. Time is of the essence. Take time to make time. And John Lennon said, "Time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted". May your days be merry and bright.

This is a typical scene of the landscape where I live at this time of the year. Little creeks run through fields of corn that has been harvested and put in silos. Winter white begins to blanket the browns that November has left behind. It's a very tranquil place to be.

Another drive. Another barn. Every time I see one I am excited to get a photo. I grew up in a house perched on a hill where I could look around and see at least five and that could explain this love I have with such a simple piece of Americana.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to wander outside on a winter's day and see drifting Snow Drops all around? Imagine it and make it happen.....

In the late autumn and early winter when color starts to fade there is beauty to be found in pretty little rose hips that add a dash of color. Oh, red, you excite me so.

Many Christians hold dear the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the Star of Bethlehem that lead the three magi to the manger.Stars have also been used in celestial navigation for centuries. Astrologers use constellations and star alignments to compile horoscopes to inspire millions. Star of wonder, star of light. Where does your star lead?

Oftentimes there may be more than one answer. Explore the possibilities.

I have always been fascinated by snowflakes. Especially when I was a child and found out that “no two snowflakes are alike”. This makes them as diverse as each of us. While everyone is unique, we all face the very similar challenges of making various associations and dealing with those associations throughout our lives. I like to observe pairings for instance of those who like to make someone laugh beside someone who likes to laugh or a family that has abundant love to share being blessed with a handicapped child. In these and many other wonderful examples I say, Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Taking a walk through the same area at different times of year can be a learning experience not only for the things of the natural world, but in reviewing life as well. I think of Henry David Thoreau's time spent at Walden Pond and how all things that surrounded him started to put life into perspective as it has done for many of the famous people who have ventured into nature to see the big picture including John Muir and Ansel Adams. Seasons come and seasons go and I too can wander and learn.

I am old enough to remember little stores that sold penny candy. There may have been other items for sale that interested my mother, but as soon as I walked in the drawers that held the candy were at eye level and that is where my eyes stayed. Now we come to the lowly candy cane. Apparently introduced in America as Christmas confections by a German immigrant in 1847 they have remained consistently twisted stripes of red and white and peppermint flavored after the turn of the century. Of course there are other flavors and colors now, but the original candy cane still exists and there is everything to love about having contemporary combined with some sweet reminiscence.

Hello December. I promise not to watch you slip by in my hustle and bustle. Every so often in my rush from here to there I will pause for a minute to look around and find something to remind me of why this season is so wonderful. Whether it is a bit of Christmas ephemera from days gone by, or a string of lights, or a throng of Christmas carolers.....I will pause, I will say thank you, and I will continue on my way, but I won't forget.

There’s something about saying goodbye to November and hello to December that creates a sense of mourning coupled with a sense of hope. It could be that Jack Frost is taking a bow to Old Man Winter who soon will sweep across the hillsides and valleys and dusting his magic on fir trees. The various shades of brown will disappear beneath blankets of snow and thoughts of Christmas and a New Year fill our minds with good tidings and hope and resolutions. Whatever the cause, goodbye November! Until we meet again next year…..

As a child one of my favorite places to go to be alone was the barn. There were no animals in our barn other than our cats and dogs and rabbits so it was a quiet place most of the time. The previous owners had cows and probably a couple of horses as there were milking stanchions and stalls on the bottom floor.  Oftentimes I would sit in the hay and wonder what it was like to be Laura Ingalls Wilder. I would watch the dust particles as they drifted through a slit of sunlight or the mourning doves that perched in the rafters.  Looking back, the barn was a place that I developed the thoughts that turned to actions that made me who I am today.