119

 

119 Months

That's how long it's been since our marriage.  That's how many months we've been coupled, as they say.  The one thing we can't seem to figure out after all these months, is how our relationship keeps getting better?  This picture was taken last week as we walked together through our local patch of woods.  It was early morning, as you can see, the sun just getting up.  Snow the night before had coated the trees with its indiscriminate blanket, and few animal tracks had disturbed its pristine surface.  The silence was total, and nearly palpable.  Stopping arm in arm, we both listened--to the shush of wind in the branches, the far off hiss of traffic, the tap-tap-tap of a hungry woodpecker.  We had each other for warmth, and that was enough.  119 months ago we vowed fidelity, and love, and care for each other.  We've learned a lot.  One thing we know is, that no matter how cold or hostile or chilling life may be, the sun always comes again. 

Favorite Poem

...and a small cabin build there,

Lake Isle of Innisfree, by William Butler Yeats was my father's favorite poem.  Dad died three years ago, but he left behind a wonderful legacy of appreciation for nature, the quiet of a rustic setting, and a tiny cabin in the woods, much like the one above.  And he loved the Yeats poem, so I'm posting it here in its entirety, because, well, I love it, too.

Enjoy--

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, 

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine-bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, 

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, 

Dropping from the veils of the morning, to where the cricket sings;

There midnight's all aglimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the Linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day,

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand by the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Spring?

"Spring"

Can you feel it in the air?  Aren't the days longer now?  Isn't the sun warmer at noontime?  Or am I imagining  that Spring is just around the corner? 

Winter's Pace

 

Winter has a way of setting our pace for us.  This is a good thing; if everything else slows down in winter-beasts and trees and processes-then why not us?  Snowstorms like the one of recent days is are nature's way of telling us to slow down, take a (wintry) breath, take a minute to consider.  And perhaps it's a way to force us to get closer to someone for warmth and companionship?  Is there anything better than a walk in a silent, snow-covered wood with the one person you know will keep you warm and safe no matter what?  Doubtful.  It's certainly worth the slowing down, no question.

Winter Walk

There's something about bundling up on a winter's morning, and braving the wild, windy woods that takes us back to a part of our childhood, or at least a simpler time.  Having to face the elements, trudging off into a threatening, unforgiving environment is something two people can do together to share their commitment to each other, and demonstrate the depth of their bond.  It's like heading into the unknown and hostile in many other parts of life, only more elemental and harsh.  It's also more basic, and easier to understand the nature of the threat.  It's easier still to see how well a relationship shields us from the cold and wind when we return to hot chocolate and a crackling fire.  Life doesn't get any better, and it's the contrast between cold and warmth that brings that out.

books, books, books

 Stacks

Thompson Library OSU Main

The picture was taken from the stairwell adjacent to the main stacks in Thompson Libarary at OSU.  This is a small slice of the real collection, a minor parcel of the astounding resource available here.  This is just a glimpse of over one million books in this library, a resource unimaginable less than 100 years ago, and one we take for granted today.  We are a rich nation, a land where we're able to take things like this for granted.  But we shouldn't; we ought to celebrate this incredible asset for what it is, a window into a myriad of strange, different, challenging, exotic, inspiring, stimulating, irritating, and yes, aggravating stories beyond the narrow confines of our own.  And here's the rest of the story: for every book you see here, there are a thousand thousand more, and more arriving all the time.  So go read something!