the year end

I have been inspired by a lady in our lane who has had candles burning in her windows all through Christmas time..

Her cottage has taken on this timeless  magical aura....

Wishing you all a wonderful end to the year and may the new one bring you your hearts desire....

Marilyn laughing

this was the time

when i forgot who i was

i only saw you

you made me laugh

until

i almost cried

sometimes

its hard to tell the difference

between the two.

Tess's prompt photo for Magpie Tales 97. 

(photo Bert Stern)

the start and the end of it....

in these short December days the start and end of the day seem to merge and we walk in the twilight hours

these mornings of heavy frost and piercing icy winds

we wrap up fully...hat...gloves...scarves...the black Scottish chap has a smart black, with grey trim coat but continually shakes while walking as if to say

i am a hardy Scottish beast get this girly coat off me!!!

i usually relent and end up carrying the jacket 

 it was the most amazing sky this morning....an independence day sky...blazing red under clouds..lighting up the heathrow bound planes under carriages vibrant pink as they pass by...vapour trails scratching a line on unblemished blue..the now leafless...true winter skeletons of trees highlight the horizons..

 ..the view from the bridge.... teaming with wildlife..the water looks cold,cold....

 move forward a few hours...late afternoon walk..high up on the ridgeway overlooking the oxfordshire countryside....we could see for miles and watched as the lights below us came on as we descended into dusk....in gullies snow still laid from a few days ago...icy and unyielding..

my constant companion wonders why we have stopped again to look through the lens...

 i loved the barren textures of dried weeds and grasses silhouetted against the darkening sky

the sky streaked red as we cleaned muddy paws..the evening almost a mirror image of this morning.

in a weeks time Christmas day will be ebbing away...i have never been so unprepared...and so un-worried about it!!

Full Moon December Day

full moon
on rippled water
this is the early morning
below a fish is belly up
while slowly the heron gracefully rises
in flight away
down stream
a hoar frost coats the bridge
we gingerly walk across
fearing slips
and slides
splash and chatter from the ducks
makes the black dog stand and consider
whether they are worth the effort
of being up to his neck in mud
with a shake
he decides against it
we walk towards the rising sun
this December Day.




This is a slight if somewhat clumsy nod to Tess's Magpie tales number 95 today, go over and see the 'real' prompt picture and others wonderful creations.

Canteen Romance

This is todays Magpie Tales prompt picture from Tess, i found it a hugely sad picture , isolating and lonely,

Canteen Romance

you may feel my eyes

upon the back of your neck

while you watch your lunch

diminish

overcome with loneliness

a tear 

caught with my tongue 

my only sustenance

i am the pitied

the next door nudge

all  eyes are cast down

with knowledge ignored.

for goodness sake.....

...after a long day in the shop which was soooooo busy

i got home to realize

my hair clip had fallen out and my hair style resembled the highland cow fringe effect

i had lost an earring

and i had had my dress on back to front..

i'll try harder tomorrow!!!