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Life-It’s What You Make It

March 1, 2016 by Karen Giebel 10 Comments

I didn’t ask for this today,plan for this today or want this today, but this is what I got. Snow, more snow and even more snow. This is the snow I wanted all winter but never received and now that’s it’s the 1st of March, I really am not very interested. Besides that, we still have no heat in the house except for the wood stoves. We also don’t have hot water. No showers or laundry today. The tap water is so cold I had to warm some up to brush my teeth! I’d much prefer Daffodils poking their little heads up, but……it is what it is and I set out to make the most of this gift of today. A gift that is denied many people. And here’s what happened.

I could have stayed home snuggled in a blanket in front of the wood stove with Gracie at my feet.

Lovely as ever 😉

Featured Image

But then I would have missed this……

The quiet, still old beauty of this ancient half timbered house and barn who has witnessed untold numbers of winters.

Old,cold house

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is just to move.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

I could have stayed in, but then I would have missed the simple beauty of snow laden branches and the sign that says “Home.”

Altenburg

I would have missed speaking to Gabby who lives up the road. She walks to town every day, no matter the weather simply  because she can.

Gabby

“Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest fields forsaken, Silent, and soft, and slow, Descends the snow.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Instead, I was blessed to witness the pure silent beauty of fresh fallen snow before a single footstep marred it.

Pines

And I saw the tall Larch so barren in winter, but today dressed in a coat of white cotton.

Larch

New fallen snow paints its own designs. A simple wire fence is transformed into pearly velvet ropes.

Fence

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Robert Frost

Road less traveled

It’s good to share your Journey with a friend.

Walk with friend

I could have stayed inside, but I wanted to see the horses. Last week their pasture was pure mud. They’re always happy for a head scratch.

Distant Horses

Very close Horses

And I would have missed the horses home which never looked better than today.
Barn

There is something so enchanting about narrow twisting lanes. You just never know what’s around the corner or at the end of the rainbow…..unless you look.

Twisting Lane

I know I could have sat inside and read a book, but I chose to wander and write my own.

Pond

But….I was not alone in my meanderings. I met fellow travelers on their journey. Hooves muffled by the deep snow. Soundless.

Horses3

Horses6Horses4

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.”

William Wordsworth

Andrea’s beloved sheep. The peaceable Kingdom.

Sheep

“In solitude where we are least alone.”

Lord Byron

From faith as small as a mustard seed, grew this mighty Oak that today oversees my Chapel on the Hill.

Chapel

Oh, I suppose I could have stayed at home today but I choose to go where my journey leads me. All too soon that journey ends and I hope to leave this earth with few regrets and full of memories, like wandering the Bavarian countryside on a snow filled winter morn.

Journey on, my friends. Journey on.

Karen, TJG

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Filed Under: Everyday Life, The Journey Girl Travels Tagged With: Journey, Life, Walk, Weather, Winter

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Comments

  1. Terri says

    March 1, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Wonderful!!!

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      March 1, 2016 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you Terri.

      Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      March 2, 2016 at 6:41 am

      Terri,
      Thank you for commenting!

      Hugs,
      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  2. Andrew K says

    March 1, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    I think you had more snow in one day than we’ve had all “winter”. I have yet to even pick up a shovel.

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      March 2, 2016 at 6:42 am

      Hi Andrew,

      Just when we thought it was Spring! I love snow but earlier in the season would have been nice!
      Thanks for commenting.

      Hugs,
      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  3. Teresa says

    March 2, 2016 at 12:46 am

    Love this!

    Reply
  4. Sharon Camarda Paz says

    March 3, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Honestly Karen you know I love all of your stories and pictures but this one I must say is my favorite. The pictures were beautiful and I could almost here the silence if that makes any sense. Your quotes from Frost, Wadsworth, Byron along with your own commentary were just as beautiful as the pictures. I love your journey. I hope you plan on writing a book someday. You have a gift my friend.

    Hugs
    Shar

    Reply
    • Karen Castleberry Giebel says

      March 3, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      Hi Sharon,
      Thank you. You made my day!

      Hugs,

      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  5. Don Purdum says

    March 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Hi Karen,

    While it might not be what you wanted and it’s a bit late, it is stunning and beautiful!

    I live in Lancaster, PA and we got over 30″ the last weekend in January. I love winter days when it’s actually winter!

    So, technically it’s still winter even though spring has come to us here. I’m ready to enjoy the warmth and each season has its own special thing.

    Beautiful pics and thanks for sharing them with us!

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      March 8, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Hi Don,

      Thank you so much for taking the time to share your Lancaster with us! It’s a beautiful place for sure. I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment!

      Regards,

      Karen, TJG

      Reply

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Nice to meet you

Karen Giebel, the Journey GirlHello and "WELCOME" to the Journey Girl! I'm Karen, a happy, optimistic retired RN living out my dreams with my husband Dan up here in the back of the beyond in Ferry County, Washington. High up in the mountains just 20 miles from the border with British Columbia, Canada. I enjoy writing and sharing with my friends all about our lives raising Alpacas, growing our gardens, all the gorgeous birds and wildlife that surround us. Sharing stories of our daily lives as we travel this journey through life. Cooking is my passion and I solve all the world's problem while standing at my stove and I love sharing my recipes with you. I am glad you are all here with me today and every day. Journey on!

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