Ducks on Ice

Ducks on Ice

After a long harsh winter gradually spring is drawing near. All this time the bashful sun was playing hide and seek with the dark clouds that dominated the skies. Everywhere you looked both natural and manmade structures were hidden or partially mantled in ice and snow. New snow is quite beautiful in its pristine form, however the gradual build up, with its adhered dirt and debris dotting it with gray specks, forgive my saying so, somewhat diminishes its attraction and the charm.

I suspect we are not out of the woods yet, for sometime April has been known to harbor severe snowstorms when the cold makes a comeback and lingers on for a while longer, just to remind us that old man winter is not finished with us yet. Still, during this temporary thaw, a sort of a tease, we can dream of spring, can’t we? So, in droves, we don our waterproof footgear and lighter jackets and head on out to be one with nature.


Those migratory birds, ducks in particular, that had opted to stay put, because in the past we had some pretty warm winters, need our help with their sustenance… So the next time you head outdoors be sure to bring along some treats for our avian friends.

And here's something for the kids or the kid in you:

The End.

Spring Thaw 2014

Spring Thaw

After the long drawn out winter where the endless snowy days at times tried our patience, who wouldn't welcome the hopeful signs of spring thaw?

Everything begins anew in spring after the thaw.

“Bowed down then preserved;

Bent then straight;

Hollow then full;

Worn then new;

A little then benefited;

A lot then perplexed.” 

“The way is empty, yet use will not drain it.

Deep, it is like the ancestor of the myriad creatures.

Blunt the sharpness;

Untangle the knots;

Soften the glare;

Let your wheels move only along old ruts.”

“As a thing the way is

Shadowy and indistinct.

Indistinct and shadowy,

Yet within it is an image;

Shadowy and indistinct,

Yet within it is a substance.

Dim and dark,

Yet within it is an essence.

This essence is quite genuine

And within it is something that can be tested.

From the present back to antiquity,

Its name never deserted it.”

“Highest good is like water. 

Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and 

settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way.”

“Tentative, as if fording a river in winter,

Hesitant, as if in fear of his neighbors;

Formal like a guest;

Falling apart like the thawing ice;

Thick like the uncarved block;

Vacant like a valley;

Murky like muddy water.

Who can be muddy and yet, settling, slowly become limpid?

Who can be at rest and yet, stirring, slowly come to life?

He who holds fast to this way

Desires not to be full.

It is because he is not full

That he can be worn and yet newly made.”

Tao

With baited breath we await the arrival of warmth, sunshine and Fun.

The End.