Thursday, January 1, 2009

All Things New (SWF)

Setting Sun,
December 31, 2008


Perhaps it is the white cast left on the fading grass this frosty January morning. Or the crispness of the day that follows a cloudless night--and sparkles under bright, clean rays.
The newness of this year is almost palatable.

Rising Sun,
January 1, 2009

Like white sneakers, saved for the first day of school. Treasured for their promise of another beginning.
While last year’s, scuffed and worn, are moved to the back of the closet.

I remember fussing over them.
Loving them for being unmarked and wholly new.
Trying to preserve their whiteness.
Fearing the first smudge from another.

Until they, with each day, slowly became like all the others.
With stories told by the marks they bore.

This morning,
wearing white sneakers again.


Frosty Field

Crystals on Teasel

All photos enlarge with a click.


See more Skywatch here.

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37 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Marvelous analogy. I hope you have the best year yet.

possumlady said...

Happy New Year Nina! Let's hope 2009 is a better year for everyone.

(Glad to read that Lily is recovering from her eye injury)

Grizz………… said...

Nina…

Lovely photos! I always enjoy your site—and insight!

Have a great year.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Yes, your new shoes...all ready to get dirty again...such is the cycle of life! Happy New Year and keep going to the trails...opening natural worlds to all of us.

NCmountainwoman said...

Great post for the New Year. I also have my rhetorical white sneakers today, full of hope for the coming year.

Happy New Year to you and the family.

Lilli & Nevada said...

What a beautiful scene for the fist of a new year, love all the photos here
Happy New Year

bobbie said...

Perfect post for New Year's Day.

The rising sun photo is fantastic!

esnorway said...

nice pics and great color nr 1. happy new year

Ruth said...

Beautiful pictures and great comparison with the white shoes. Happy New Year Nina!

jozien said...

Wow!!!
Says it all, for i am off again, to see if i'm blessed enough to catch a 'crystal on a teasel'.

Steffi said...

Beautiful photos and perfect for a Skywatch Friday!Happy New Year 2009 and Happy SWF!

imac said...

What a great way to enter 2009, great shots.

Gill - That British Woman said...

lovely photos......

Gill in Canada

Anonymous said...

Yes, the newness is almost palpable, you've captured it beautifully.

Heather said...

Wonderful post, Nina. A Happy and blessed New Year to you and yours!

vincibene said...

Wonderful pictures and words!
Happy New Year!

Pat - Arkansas said...

A very Happy New Year to you, Nina!

Thanks for another beautiful, beautiful post (prose and photos.)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures,beautiful colored. Happy new year from Norway

Kathie Brown said...

Very beautiful and thoughtful Nina. I love the metaphor of the white sneakers.

Rebecca Clayton said...

Happy New Year, Nina. I've resolved to let people know how much I enjoy their blogs, even if I don't have a "good reason" to comment. Thanks for your words and photos!

Larry D said...

Great skywatch and post!

Gaelyn said...

Beautiful post, sentiments and captures for a fresh new year.

Welcome to 2009!

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

A great start to a new year! Happy SWF

hitch writer said...

The first pic is heavenly.... The year ending !!!! soooper ..

Unknown said...

You have such a beautiful way wit words. Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, and thanks for sharing your wise and beautiful blog! It is always a treat to savor, and I have put it on my blogroll.

There is no better way to start a new year than with a nature walk; I just posted some pictures from my sauntering yesterday in Valley Forge park, PA.

Arija said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Arija said...

Hope and new beginnings, both worth holding on to.
Nice pics to illustrate you comments.

Kim said...

Lovely analogy and so true!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post as always Nina. I too, am looking forward to a new beginning for the new year. I am enthusiastic about a new attitude and new, environmentally friendly ideas being considered all over the world.

Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful...can't help repeating...

Happy New Year and new white shoes to ya!!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

What a beautiful way to remember the old AND the new. Your photos are stunning!

kesslerdee said...

Beautiful- this is my first visit to your site and it is delightful!

Anonymous said...

Super skywatch, Nina. I like your tennis shoes metaphor, and agree that the new has a charm per se.

Happy new year, and happy skywatch 2009.

Mary said...

We need to keep your perspective, Nina. I'm looking forward to better times. We all need them.

Happy New Year,
Mary

Wendy said...

Beautiful skywatch photos! I love frost and ice crystals on branches, grasses, and even snow itself. Great metaphore. Every day is a fresh new day. What will we do with it?

Tootie said...

I hope you have many skies this year, as beautiful as those in your photos.