The shift from autumn to winter is sometimes imperceptible. I will suddenly notice that all the trees are bare. The ground will become muddy with rotting leaves and the cold will creep up on me. There is no consensus about when winter begins. Meteorologists package the year up into neat quarters, with 1st December designated as the first day of winter. For astronomers, it is the winter solstice. But for me, this year, winter begins on the last Saturday in November in Manchester. It is the day after my father-in-law’s funeral and I wake early to an unearthly landscape of white mist. There is a surreal hush. Trees are no more than shadows in the fog and ice crisps the foliage.
There is a path on the edge of the Manchester ship canal that is a tiny oasis among housing estates. Only a day before, the blazing sunset lit up the last golden leaves and I watched three ring-necked parakeets flutter across the canal, the first I have ever seen in the wild. But this morning, winter has the canal in its grip. Scores of Canada Geese huddle silently on the bank. Mist moves in lazy coils along the water. A flock of black headed gulls cavorts in a garland of steam. Ice and sun have melted the landscape into vapour and echoes.
As we drive back north, fog shrouds the motorway. The sun has gone out, casting the world in grey shadow. The road is lined by the rise of moors and the dip of valleys. I know that there are towns and buildings in these valleys, but today there is no evidence of that. They are nothing more than bowls of dense white mist, like eerie seascapes. But we emerge from the mist to the afternoon sun, which kindles the remnants of autumn. Beeches shimmer with copper leaves. Apple trees droop with red and yellow fruit.
Back home, most of the trees are bare. The leafscape has turned from gold to burnt orange and umber. Leaves now squelch rather than crackle beneath my feet. But just as the autumn show is almost over, the last wild cherry blazes. It has been slow to give up its gifts. Usually I can pluck sweet cherries from its branches in summer, but this year they were sour, left to rot on the tree even by the birds. Now it is a beacon among the skeletons. The halo of fallen leaves around its base glows against the frosted grass.
Today is National Tree Dressing day, an annual celebration of the importance of trees in our lives. Communities are encouraged to tie ‘leaves’ with messages of thanks to a tree. As the trees undress, we re-dress them. The celebration draws on old traditions of adorning trees. In my post The Shoe Tree I wrote about the ways we dress trees and down by the canal path last week, I discovered another: a memorial tree, dressed to commemorate the life of a man who had died there.
But today I will leave the trees to their nakedness. I’m dressing a different kind of tree, though it’s all part of the same tradition. My Christmas tree is a symbol of life in the death of winter. It is a reminder that when the earth seems to be little more than bones, life still stirs, waiting to be re-born. Trees reflect the transience of life in their seasonal changes: the brief joy of spring blossoms, the plenty of summer fruits and the excitement of autumn finery. Then they show us death, with their winter skeletons. As I dress the tree, I recall the many times I have done this before. I think of all the other people doing what I am doing now. And I think of those communities re-dressing the trees that are important to them. Winter has begun, but each tree is a flicker in the darkness, lacing the earth with threads of light.
Leaves now squelch rather than crackle beneath my feet… a perfect description of the transition from autumn to winter! May your Christmas tree give joyful life to all who see it!
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Thanks Bruce and yours too if you have one 🙂
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Indeed I do!
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This is another great post, Andrea. National Tree Dressing day sounds like a lovely tradition. How wonderful to thank a tree! Mega hugs.
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Thanks Teagan, yes, it’s a lovely idea isn’t it 🙂
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Lovely words and photos Andrea. I can feel the peace and quiet of this setting with the fog providing a gentle blanket of peace. I’m sorry about your father-in-law. blessings, Brad
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Thanks Brad, I was glad to end the week with that sense of peace.
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Peace is my favorite place to hang out. XD
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This is such a beautiful post. “Ice and sun have melted the landscape into vapour and echoes” is just one of the sentences that t I loved.
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Thanks Jadi, appreciate your comment.
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A beautiful post, Andrea. I love your description of the season. I am right there with you, reading your words.
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Thanks Lavinia, happy to have your company.
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I so love your writing, Andrea. Such a beautiful essay about the changing of Fall into Winter.
I apologize for the Canada geese.
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Thanks Cynthia – don’t apologise, I love them! I rarely see them in such numbers and they were so quiet it was quite a surprise to see so many of them on the banks, they obviously didn’t appreciate the icy water the way the gulls did 🙂
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Your photographs are so beautiful, Andrea. Naked trees let us see through and discover the scenes that are normally hidden behind the foliage. You came here for a sad reason, but the Nature brings comfort.
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Thanks Inese, it does indeed.
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Andrea, your stunning photography complements your gorgeous words. It is winter here too. The snow has been falling since morning. I’m a bit odd in this way but I so love a fresh snowfall.
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Thanks Laine, I love winter best when it’s ‘wintry’, you know I’ve already asked you to send a little snow my way 🙂
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Andrea, such an evocative post and I’m sorry to hear of your father-in-law’s death. (I was very fond of my father-in-law ~ we sort of understood each other more than one might have expected.)
Puppy Stan has done away with Christmas trees in our house ~ maybe three but very much puppy when it comes to novelties.
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Thanks for your best wishes Jean. Fortunately Winston has never been particularly interested in Christmas decorations – we’ve been lucky, we used to have 5 cats and none of them bothered either!
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I particularly liked your allegory to trees of life and trees of death – and that is what the change of seasons is all about. A very lovely and intimate post. Happy holidays. Harlon
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Thanks Harlon, they make it easy to remember each season of life. Happy holidays to you to.
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I love what the Christmas trees means to you, Andrea…I feel the same. Lovely post and gorgeous photographs.
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Thanks Jill.
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The changing of seasons is a more natural celebration of the holidays. May your dressing of your tree bring good memories.
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Thank you, I’m sure it will 🙂
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That read almost like a poem and what a calming effect it had, like walking among mist and trees.
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Thanks Susanne, I’m glad you felt the calm of it.
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am so sorry to learn of your father-in-law’s passing. my condolences.
leaves on the ground are soggy and muddy here, too. most trees are bare – but i must admit that even in their bareness, they are already proudly bearing next year’s buds in a generous display on every branch and twig… always amazing how one season flows into another.
and i love Christmas too. my tree has been up for a couple of weeks… 🙂
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Thank you Kris, yes I’ve noticed some of the catkins already there in preparation for spring. I hope you’re enjoying your tree 🙂
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Andrea, your wonderful, evocative writing transports me back to last week’s heavy fog in Somerset just as you describe here. Only the day before, the trees were alight with the flame of autumn! How amazing to see ring necked parakeets in the wild, in Manchester! But, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law. Through the swirling fog and your many thoughts, how wonderful to return home to dress your Christmas tree. I love every sentence here Andrea, but this one jumped out at me: ‘Winter has begun, but each tree is a flicker in the darkness, lacing the earth with threads of light.’ Just beautiful… xxx
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Thanks Sherri, I appreciate your kind thoughts. The fog is wonderful at this time of year, no fog today but still a very beautiful blurry light on the river. I never expected to see parakeets in the north, I knew there are flocks in the south, but apparently Manchester has its own resident population.
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I love that ‘blurry light on the river’…so evocative of this season isn’t it? Lovely post Andrea, as always…
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Thanks Sherri, we’ve had many blurry mornings and they’re always beautiful.
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What a perfect post! All the symbolism of loss and fog and winter and darkness, countered by light–just lovely! This is a sort of writing I wish I could do!
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Thanks Kerry, I think this time of year has so much symbolism.
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I too am sorry about the death of your father-in-law.
Beautiful words Andrea, that conjure up such wonderful images. Most of our trees are bare now after the frosts and wind we have had. I love to see their bare branches and their black silhouettes against the sky.
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Thanks Clare, there are few leaves left here now, but some are still hanging on 🙂
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Andrea, This is a truly marvelous post. I would love to have walked with you through the winter landscape. We are about to put up our tree, but who know when it will be decorated…..
I hope your loss is as kind as such an event can be.
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Thanks for your thoughts Michael, it was a wonderful landscape to walk in, and I’m happy you could accompany me through these words 🙂
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National Tree Dressing Day – what a fabulous idea!
The only tree decoration I was aware of, Christmas aside, were the yellow ribbons for the safe return of hostages or service personnel.
Thank you for creating such a lovely image.
Wishing you much joy of your Dressed Trees!
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Thanks Francesca, there are a whole host of types of ‘tree dressing’ which is fascinating.
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Oh Andrea, sweet Andrea, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father-in-law and I send a gentle hug your way… At the end of your post I felt like you had a sense of calmness and I think it is part of the healing process xx Thanks for making time for us and sharing your beautiful thoughts on winter ❤
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Thank you Christy for sharing them with me 🙂
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Another wonderful description, Andrea! The topic of trees is important in our family. My bonus dad is a lover of trees. He is a passionate gardener who lives in Washington where things tend to grow well, and one reason he loves it there is the abundance of trees. He takes daily drives just to see them; they contribute to his well-being in a profound way. He was quite miserable when he lived down here in Southern California where I live, since he thrives in the rain and cool mists. Also, California is having a long-term tree crisis, as millions of trees have died or are in danger to the point that conferences are being held to find solutions. See the following for more information, if interested. http://countercurrentnews.com/2016/11/earth-crisis-102-million-dead-california-trees-unprecedented-modern-history-officials-say/#
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Thanks Carla, I can understand your bonus dad’s feelings, I don’t think I’d want to live in a place without trees – or the rain and mists! It’s a tragedy what is happening to the trees in California and very worrying in terms of what could come.
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Yes, Andrea, it is a worry for Californians, since it is something that has not happened for a long time. “Unprecedented” is the term that comes up in some of the articles.
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Hi Andrea – It has been raining so much here, that I am hoping the trees are rejoicing! Lots of snow too, finally, in our mountains. I heard that the drought in Northern California is now officially over, and in the southern part of the state, it is about 50% over. Thankful!
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I’m very glad to hear that the drought is over or coming to an end, I’m sure those trees are rejoicing! Our winter has been relatively mild and dry since ‘the first day of winter’, we did have our first snowfall but the snow lasted for only a morning 🙂
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Beautiful ending with the dressing your Christmas tree. Your writing creates an atmosphere that surrounds me. Lovely.
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Thank you Ina.
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I’ve never heard of this re-dressing the trees, but I love it, and I love trees. I admire their strength. Your words moved me. My heart is with you on your loss. Warm hugs coming your way.
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Thanks Lori, it is a great idea to remember how important trees are to us.
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Ooh, I love trees too. They’re so animated. RIght now, leaves have all fallen and the branches are bare — they seem vulnerable right now. Not the evergreens though. We’ll be putting up our Christmas tree next weekend, which seems to be the official sign of the season. Even though I’ve decorated all around the house, it doesn’t feel like Christmas without that tree. 🙂
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Our trees are almost bare now, but there are a few leaves hanging on, there is a vulnerability about them, though also a strength 🙂
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Lovely!
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Thanks Shelley!
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I love your misty Canada Geese- wasn’t that a gift from us to the Queen long ago?!! Such a beautiful and gentle poetic wintry post Andrea, I loved walking with you and yes my tree is up too!
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Thanks Cybele. Well, I’ve learned something new – apparently Charles II imported some in 1665 and let them go in St James Park and that was the beginning of the Canada Goose in the UK. It also seems they’re not a very popular bird, but I think they’re wonderful!
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they tend to poop a lot lol!
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Exquisitely crafted. And beautiful photos as well. Here’s hoping you’ll read my blog too. Much love.
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Thank you Vidisha, I’ll be sure to pay you a visit.
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Pleasure. I’ll look forward to your visit. Best wishes.
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Your posts are always a pleasure to read, Andrea, and this one is no exception. Your photos perfectly capture the mood of the writing as well. So sorry about the passing of your father-in-law.
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Thanks Jennifer.
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I love trees. Although living in London we have some fantastic plane trees opposite us and crows nest in them. We also have a great many magpies and today a huge thrush seeing off some blackbirds. The plane trees are such magnificent old survivors. No tree inside the flat yet but soon, soon …!
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Trees can make such a difference, particularly those old wise ones that have been there before us and will probably outlive us!
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Andrea, I’m so sorry about the loss of your father-in-law. What a sad time, but you manage to shift to the cycle of life and tell us about a beautiful custom: National Tree Dressing Day. I’ve never heard of it, and I love it!!! I have reached the point that I would rather do this than even think of buying even one person a Christmas gift.
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Thanks Luanne, it is a lovely custom – National Tree Dressing Day has been happening for about 16 years now, but it’s something that’s quite new to me.
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Your ponderings, your writing, is so lovely Andrea. Traditions of a funeral and the tree dressing, and the appearance of winter and geese, the disappearance of leaves, the workings of mist, all in the rhythms of life..thank you.
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Thank you for your visit and your kind words Jet.
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Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law .. You have such a lovely way with words Andrea. Thank you for sharing your thoughts …
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Thank you Julie, much appreciated.
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The seasons are remarkably good at keeping in time with our calendar 😉 ! But there are seasons of the soul, too, and they are more fluid and less accountable to calendar days. My condolences on the death of your father-in-law.
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Thank you Gallivanta, yes I like the idea of seasons of the soul which don’t follow the vagaries of the weather 🙂
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Your first and second shots could be settings for a Hitchcock film:). Well done!
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It was certainly an eerie atmosphere, but I think most of these birds were too sleepy to do much damage 🙂
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You always perfectly capture the seasons in your writing. Trees are great, people always feel better for the presence of trees whether they know it or not.
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Thanks Ste, a world without trees would be a meaner place…
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Beautiful.
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Thanks Lynne.
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How very lovely, Andrea. I feel like I am standing by your side, by the canal’s side, the mist swirling around us. And how interesting that people dress trees other than those on their own property. We don’t see that here, though sometimes people will do small tributes at the side of the road where someone had died. I do love seeing trimmed Christmas trees in windows. For those moments at least, life seems simple again.
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I’m glad to have had your company! Trees do make life seem simpler, whether they’re dressed or undressed 🙂
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You’ve written a beautiful celebration of trees here. I’ve read and reread this post and will go back to it many times. I never knew how much I appreciated trees until the last few years. Now I actually even hug one every once in a while. They are living breathing beings that show us the beauty of the world – and even what is inside us- if we only look.
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Thanks Pam, I’m glad you found it resonated. Everyone should hug a tree once in a while 🙂
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I’d do it more often, but I notice the neighbors are beginning to look at me a bit oddly….. ;-0
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Andrea, This is a beautiful blog and once again you transported me from my world into the world you live in. I love trees and it breaks my heart when I see them cut down for clearances in order to build homes, etc. Whatever happened to build on a lot and taking into consideration where trees were and incorporate them into the location of the house. I know it’s commercialism but it still makes me upset. Tom and I also noted a large number of Christmas trees that hadn’t been sold this year. I think that may be because so many people have fake trees now, but so many trees are being wasted when our country is in the process of trying to reforest itself. I like the idea of celebrating a tree. This is the first time we’ve ever lived on a property wherein we had to plant the trees along with the regular landscaping.
I do hope you and yours have a lovely holiday season. Your photography and words take me on a trip through your world each time I visit and I so enjoy it so much.
All is still going well here. Tom and I were able to go out to dinner with friends last night and it was marvelous. We had such a good time. Of course, he’s in bed today, but that’s okay. He mentioned several times last night that it was so good to be out and about with friends once again. We are wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a great year ahead.
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Thanks for your visit Sheri, I’m happy that you’re able to enjoy these visits. And I’m very happy to hear that your holidays are going well and you were able to enjoy some time with friends. I hope the next week or so is a good one for you both ❤
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Thank you, Andrea. I love the fog and mist in your photos especially. It makes for a magical setting [for me]. Some of my friends think I’m a little ‘tipped’ but I do love it.
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Me to Sheri 🙂
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Andrea I love the stillness of winter, you have captured a world in slumber, if but for a short while. I made my tree out sticks last year and the kids wanted to use it again this year. All we have to do is wrap it in lights and the simplicity makes me smile. All the best for a cosy winter. Sweltering here in 37 degree heat and dreaming of Autumn.
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Thanks Kath, yes, it was a dreamy slice of time. I don’t envy your sweltering but the simplicity of your celebration sounds lovely.
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on holidays in the Blue Mountains Andrea which conjurs up images of misty mountains but the truth is we are expecting temps close to the forties this week and there are no beaches near by like at home. Enjoy the chill and think of me.
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Well I hope you have a great holiday Kath 🙂
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Beautiful, as always- the images and the words! You enrich our lives so much!
Sorry to know about your father-in-law passing away.
As we ourselves grow older, deaths happen with more frequency- whether of older family members or public figures. Sad- but a fact.
It must be very cold now, where you live. Saw on BBC that some cities in Europe are having minus 30C temperatures! Unimaginable for someone who has lived entirely in the Torrid Zone. 🙂
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Thanks Sylvia 🙂 Yes, the losses do come more frequently as we get older. It’s actually been quite a mild winter for us so far, we haven’t had many frosts, but we have weather warnings for snow here today, so we’ll see – it’s been a couple of years since we’ve had proper snow in the area where I live.
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I did not know about “tree dressing.” Wonderful tradition. Well written. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, you might like ‘The Shoe Tree’, which is all about how people decorate trees: https://harvestinghecate.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/the-shoe-tree/
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So sorry for your loss…fitting parallel tribute in your dressing of the tree. Beautiful.
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Thanks Laura.
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“Now it is a beacon among the skeletons”: such an amazing line. Wisconsin’s a lot like this, too. The land’s holding its breath for the first snow.
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Thanks Jean. We have actually had our first snow this past week, though it didn’t last.
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