11 December 2009

peace and joy

Winter Barn
photograph by K. Marszycki


Winter solstice is approaching . . .

A quiet time of year, one would think. But with the holidays we are forced into a breakneck pace to prepare, shop, cook, travel, visit, clean -- and then drop in exhaustion. Our bodies are still adjusting to the time change and the loss of sunlight. We have trouble sleeping, our minds crowded with lists and lists of lists of more things to do.

Winter solstice is approaching . . .

In centuries past, it was a time of darkness, lit only by candles and fires. Warm corners and rich foods were sought and the starkness of winter whiteness was softened by gatherings of natural greens and red berries, symbols of the natural world and of renewal.

Winter solstice is approaching . . .

Can we slow the pace down? Can we seek quiet corners and warm fires? Instead of gold and silver, can we festoon our homes with holly and juniper, perhaps play the music of earlier times when human voices soared high up into the rafters, across rooftops and deep into the night, as if to keep the darkness at bay.

Winter solstice is approaching . . . and I wish you peace, paix, paz, pax . . .

6 comments:

layers said...

I know what you mean completely-- Dec. is such hectic month-- cleaning, shopping, mailing, wrapping, baking, cooking, cleaning,decorating, on and on.. yesterday was wrap day and today is bake day and tomorrow we go get our son and his wife at the airport-- but I did also find some time this weekend to paint in my studio-- felt so good. happy holidays to you and a peaceful new year.
donna

layers said...

p.s. your photographs are beautiful.
and I know from your last post that you will be blog free for awhile-- enjoy your break and enjoy more time in the studio in the new year.

Kelly M. said...

Thank you, Donna. Your thoughts (and sympathies) mean a lot to me. I will be returning shortly -- promise!

chrome3d said...

Excellent editing on the wintery barn image. Lovely atmosphere. I have piece and I gathered that you don´t.l Try to have some fun too if you have some time!

The Artist Within Us said...

Dear Kelly,

I concure that we need to slow down. With FedEx and the like we are so used to having things within a blink of an eye. We are all multi-tasking, for that matter I am burning the candles at both ends just to keep up. But then there are days, I let it all go and just go with natures rythems.

Take care and i wish you all the very best. You are such a multi tallented artist, I am glad out paths have crossed.

Warmest regards,
Egmont

Kelly M. said...

It's Christmas Eve -- hard to believe -- and your thoughts and comments have lifted my spirits. I heard a saying just yesterday -- "It is better to light a candle than to begrudge the darkness." As E.M. Forster wrote -- always the eternal Yes!