Journal ~ 27 Oct 05
Hard frost last night. Sky is pinking up. The reflection of the woodstove flame casts an orange animation on the windowpane against the utter calm, cold landscape on the other side of the glass. The barn roof is white, the butterfly bush limp with ice crystals fringing every curled and faded leaf.
How womblike--the warmth of the stove, the familiar touch of chair, desk, this old flannel shirt I wear as if it were my birth skin. I love this place, so constant, so fully known and at hand. This place: this room, this house, this valley, these mountains, this time in our lives. Especially now, as winter creeps closer and the days grow short, I appreciate the roof overhead, the full stacks of firewood, the canning in the basement and slow moments like this to see what too often I take for granted.
We can't know what's coming around the bend in the road. But it's been a very nice road, that's for sure.
Comments
I can't take it anymore! Hate Florida. Quitting job. Packing up stuff. Leaving husband. Moving back home.
Blaming you. (Heh heh.)
(Just kidding, of course. Keep those inspired pictures and lyrical descriptions coming. I'll get back home by and by.)
Posted by: M. Lawless | October 27, 2005 8:29 AM
Oh, what a serene picture. Makes me wonder what is around the bend!
Posted by: Rachel | October 27, 2005 11:14 AM
Yoda Fred,
How do you do it?
Such a peaceful, calming moment to stop by Fragments each day. A visit here always gives me a smile for the whole day.
Your writings and photos are like warm biscuits with fresh butter and keep me coming back to your kitchen table for the nourishment of my soul.
Thank you.
Posted by: Cowtown Pattie | October 27, 2005 11:58 AM
Nice....
Posted by: Marie | October 27, 2005 4:45 PM
Nice. Very, very nice.
Posted by: poopie | October 27, 2005 5:58 PM
The picture makes me so nostalgic for my carefree childhood. But as much as I would like to walk down that road just once more, the urban high-rise dweller that I am now hopes that what's coming around the bend is a Starbucks.
Posted by: Deejay | October 27, 2005 7:57 PM
Lovely. Words and photo.
Posted by: Lin B | October 27, 2005 7:58 PM
Is that a recent photo? We must have our own warmer Micro-climate in Boones Mill. We're just east of you, probably no more than 20 miles as the crow flies, yet we're nowhere near that level of foliage. Maple trees in our landscaping and in the woods are just beginning to turn. We went to a party in Fincastle last weekend and they were also way ahead on the Autumn curve. I'm not complaining, mind you :) We're "only" up at about 1,300 feet, perhaps that's the clincher.
Sean.
Posted by: Sean Pecor | October 27, 2005 8:00 PM
What a beautiful "less- traveled" road. What will it look like when you stop by on a snowy evening?
Very poetic photo!
Jane
Posted by: Jane | October 27, 2005 9:08 PM
wonderful photo and commentary will be back here real soon
Posted by: hokulea | October 28, 2005 12:14 AM
Beautiful! Makes me want to walk into it, like a Constable landscape.
Posted by: kenju | October 28, 2005 2:44 AM
I love your pictures. I've taken walks on roads like this one. nj
Posted by: NJ | October 28, 2005 12:09 PM
Yeah. What they said. This one's a keeper.
Posted by: Trey | October 29, 2005 8:50 AM
I want to walk down this road!
Posted by: Sue | October 30, 2005 8:01 AM
This is an absolutely breathtaking picture and the prose matches. I'm in awe, and like the person above who mentioned leaving Florida, I agree!!!
We're so hurricane-fatigued here that living up north may be a plausible alternative despite snow, dark winters and SAD syndrome.
Sometimes we have to re-think the meaning of our lives make decisions we hadn't planned.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and sometimes to the tenth power.
Posted by: Debb | November 1, 2005 6:24 PM