The Year of the Rabbit

Reach for the Stars

It's a new year.

A new opportunity to succeed,

accomplish new things and fulfill your ambitions, whatever they may be. Of course, sometimes you'll find an obstacle blocks your path. Or the path takes an unexpected turn. That's when you look upward and see how to leap from whereyou are to where you want to go. Determination can get you there. And get you further than you ever thought possible. Welcome to the year of the rabbit. (From the 2011 Wells Fargo Calendar)

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I hope you are off and running into your new year, and beginning to see why I love calendars which can inspire each day and each month throughout. And poetry - oh the joy of words so sweetly expressed. I just have to share this poem about WINTER with you, for praising each day of this season.

WINTER

- by Greta Crosby

- photo by Channing Miller

Let us not wish away the winter. It is a season to itself, not simply a way to spring.

When trees rest, growing no leaves, gathering no light, they let in sky and trace themselves delicately against dawns and sunsets.

The clarity and brilliance of the winter sky delight. The loom of fog softens edges, lulls the eyes and ears of the quiet, awakens by risk the unquiet. A low dark sky can snow, emblem of individuality, liberality, and aggregate power. Snow invites to contemplation and to sport.

Winter is a table set with ice and starlight.

Winter dark tends to warm light: fire and candle, winter cold to hugs and huddles, winter want to gifts and sharing, winter danger to visions, plans and common endeavoring - and zest of narrow escapes, winter tedium to merry-making.

Let us therefore praise winter, rich in beauty, challenge, and pregnant negativities.

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So bundle up, take a walk, notice the light, the trees, the sky. Feel the air - and how envigorating this season is. Let it envigorate you!

Send me your winter thoughts or a winter poem. Let me know what calendars you have chosen for your home in 2011. For now you can email me - chaninca@aol.com, although I plan to add interactive features soon. My blog is for sharing with you, and for you to be inspired to share with me (if you feel so moved!).

Cheers,

Channing