Hawaii was a visual banquet. At every turn I couldn’t help myself. I visually grabbed until, overstuffed, I collapsed in sensory overload. Lush tropical foliage, expansive ocean views that ranged from turquoise to indigo, most set against jet black lava. A loop road circles around the entirety of Big Island, where dry lava desert gives way to breathtaking cliffs, verdant fields, and always Mother ocean below. Water was the main theme, not only in the ocean and tropical rains, but in the very air, itself. Yet after 15 years, I was ready to return to a land with four seasons.
Moving back to the high desert of New Mexico was like going on a diet. The terrain is sparse; it does not impose. Water is a theme, though in a very different way. Here, water is badly needed. At all times. A desert’s gifts are revealed slowly, with patience and attention to subtleties. Cloud formations can stop me in my tracks, and seem to exist here as nowhere else I have traveled or lived. Enormous ravens swoop through forests and valleys whilst elk roam close to the house in the wee hours, and colors of all sorts stand. Out. Large expanses of gently rolling flat will surprise with a sudden view of a snow-capped mountain range. Driving north into Taos on the main highway features the Rio Grande gorge split open like a melon. At its bottom snakes the river, green and rolling, more or less, depending on the season.
This morning brought snow, though very different than in what can be a very bleak New England, this time of year. Always, always the sun strives to poke through the clouds here, so within an hour, we had snow, brilliant sunshine, billowing dark gray nimbostratus, snow, gusting winds, and more snow. Tomorrow we may set feet onto bare ground.
Hope you are all feeling the spirit of the holy days. Don’t let the pandemic fear paralyze you. Stay safe however you must, but also strong by getting out and getting the blood moving. Breathe deep with an open heart. Nature heals. She truly does. Blessings, all.
All the best for the Season as well, Bela. As you so wisely say, nature heals!
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Indeed she does, Paul. Thank you! Blessings to you and Jean and the critters! ๐
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It’s a very different world around you Bela. Thanks you for sharing these snowy days. I smiled at the thought of it being like going on a diet.
I realized I was getting antsy and wanting this all to be over. Resisting brings struggle that’s for sure. So now I have committed to three months of creative containment. We humans are blessed with imagination, creativity and enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to see what unfolds.
I also looked out my old cold weather gear so I can still get out into nature and get the blood moving in fresh air ๐ฌ
Enjoy the new briskness and changing weather patterns ๐
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Val, thanks so much! I love this: ‘three months of creative containment!’ Brilliant.
I was raised in Southern California’s mountains, but left when I was 18 for the woods of Maine. I never looked back after seeing four seasons and all that untouched wilderness.
I love the seasons, love the excuse to be more interior ‘due to winter.’ It used to be so much fun, skiing to someone’s house and visiting for a hot cup and a goodie. ๐ With Covid, however, that part is out the window. But outdoor activities? We spent nine hours cutting firewood yesterday. Chris’s job is the chainsaw, and mine is pruning with my beautiful Japanese handsaw and stacking burn piles. Nine hours is far too long for this body these days, but I will survive. My spirit wanted to be out there until the last star twinkled! I love working physically when there’s a bite of cold in the air. I did not like being hot and sweaty all the time in Hawaii, and spent more indoor time than I really wanted to. Year-round mosquitoes and such didn’t help either. So I am perfectly content to be back in this kind of weather! Or as they say in Maine, ‘weathah.’ ๐
Peace, dear one.
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Smiling … so good to hear your story. Thank you Bela. ๐ I am getting ready to venture out with rediscovered warm clothing from the bottom of a closet. My response to your post inspired a new one for me today. ๐
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Yay! Wonderful. ๐ฅฐ
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Precious moisture! First snows are so exciting and the sunshine afterwards so blinding, crystalline beauty everywhere.
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Perfect description, Eliza. We just kept taking walks to get out in it. The snow was composed of tiny little balls of powder, a true skier’s dream. Crystalline, dazzling, crisp and clean. Though it might all be gone tomorrow! ๐๐
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Seize the day! ๐
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Precisely!
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Hawaii. New Mexico. Bela’s livin’ large.
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Haha, no kidding, David! We seek out beauty, or it calls us to it. Lucky us! From the woods and lakes of Maine to Hawaii, back through NM (a year) to Maine, then years later, back to HI again and now NM. Feels like there is a connection, somehow. Hugs. โค
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There is beauty everywhere. Snow has a certain kind of magic, even here in the city. The landscape always offers new treats, and yes, healing. Thanks for sharing these photos! (K)
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Yes, Kerfe! Thanks so much! I know NYC has Central Park, and friends I have who live there visit it frequently. I’ve never been, only at 4 am cruising through the downtown areas with our heads and half our bodies out the moonroof! But I would imagine not only the park, but the lights and holiday spirit that exists. Enjoy! โค
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Thanks Bela. Snow coming here this week they say….
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Oh, fun. Enjoy! ๐
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Dear Bela,
I concur with Kerfe. Thank you for featuring such wonderfully attractive snowy sceneries. I would like to resonate with the photographs in your post with my special ode to snowflakes at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/%e2%9d%84-%e2%9d%85-%e2%9d%86-snowflakes-tell-me-why-you-are/
May you and Kerfe have a lovely weekend enjoying the snow of early winter!
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Thanks, Eagle! ๐๐คธ๐ผโโ๏ธ
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They are indeed things of beauty.
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Oh! This was a lovely post! I spent a couple of years in New Mexico in the mid-60s. I could not reconcile to the desert and so missed much of its beauty. Now you have reintroduced me in a satisfying way. Thanks for another chance to appreciate the place.
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Excellent, Pauline – I am glad! Coming from 15 years on Hawaii Island, I must say, it took a few months to readjust to these desert treasures. I am much more a desert person than an island gal, both in constitution (love the DRY), as well as practical-ly. We can live far more sustainably here, and for that (and so much more), I am grateful. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! Happy Holidays!
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Oh the view out your window is stunning! I love the snow! Weโve had a fresh dusting the last few days and the property looks magical ๐คโ๏ธโ๏ธ
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I, too love snow, as long as the sun shines most days. Which it does here. I’m glad you got your dusting! Christmas time magic! Blessings, Sue, and all best wishes in the new year. ๐โค๏ธ
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Bela, thank you for the wisdom in your words and the beauty in your photos! Hope your holidays (yes, holy days) have been peaceful and bright. โค๐ค
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Glad you liked the piece, Betty. The holidays have been weird, let’s face it! So we’ve just made the best of it by working around the property outside, trimming up trees and such. Hope your holiday was satisfying. And many blessings in the days to come! ๐๐ค๐
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Wishing you all the best in the New Year, Bela!! ๐โฎ๐ค๐
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Absolutely wishing you the same, Betty! May you be richly blessed in 2021. ๐๐๐๐
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