Winter Reflections

For sundry reasons, I haven’t edited and uploaded photographs after recent walks at Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. Yes, I admit I could have pushed myself harder to bring the Lightroom processing to completion but because I don’t want photography to become a chore, I decided to give myself a break and make resting and reading priorities after finishing the daily to-do/must-do lists. Now, during these latter days of January, I have more free time and energy so I’ll try to catch up before the end of the month. Revisiting these images now after the recent extreme cold and heavy snowfalls gives me comfort in the midst of a growing sense of solastalgia.

And so this is Christmas

The 2023 Edition
Moments of joy, light, and love in a world overwhelmed by suffering and sorrow.

 

Nature’s beauty and diversity, artfully arranged by a floral designer, and given to me by my dear friend, Linda.

 

THE LIST (a work-in-progress)

Enjoying and photographing seasonal greenery.

Feasting on this Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf, made for our Christmas Eve meal.

Reading Winter’s Gifts by candlelight, very, very early this morning.

Reliving a childhood memory and writing a playful poem.

Exchanging text messages with family and friends so we feel connected even if not physically together.

Visiting my friend Donna’s site, and reading her latest post — a perfect diptych in a juicy-fruit-inspired palette.

Feeling deeply grateful for all these blessings and more.

Reading Issue #266 of The Red Hand Files. I’ll end this post with the final question and Nick’s response, which I echo:

 

Do you want to wish a joyful holiday season to all and for a cessation to the trouble and tears and heartache and weariness and affliction across the world, and for life to be full of true kindness and warmth and forgiveness and the love of others. Do you wish that for all people?
NICK AND SUSIE, BRIGHTON, UK

Yes, we do.

Love, Nick