The Winds that Blow

Pin It The frivolous snow tumbles down from the darkened sky as the smells of fresh Tortellini Soup drifts about the house mixed with the aroma of freshly-baked rolls. Christmas lights twinkle from the tree in the living room while the strains of Alison Krauss drift lazily about the air—mixing into a potpourri of deliciousness.

I dipped the last few cake bites in the ambrosia chocolate; as I placed them on the waxed paper to cool, the front door opened. At first I thought it must have been of its own accord; not shut properly and hence blown open from the gusts of wintry wind. However, instead of a misguided storm as an assailant, three family members pushed through door, laden down with bags and blankets, with them came a few crystalline flakes which immediately began to melt upon touching down in the warmed interior.

I find that words now fail me with this overwhelming feeling of thankfulness—gratitude for siblings—for the love parents here and absent—for family.

The warm interior of the house now has yet another sense added into it—a new sensation to blend like marshmallows in velvety hot chocolate and wrapped in a cocoon of eiderdown.

This is Thanksgiving.

A trip to the Arctic

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I’d been meaning to travel to distant lands for a long time. They’d always been in my mind, but never had I had the chance to actually go…until now.

Over the Christmas Break I had the photoistic opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to travel to the Antarctic, where the world is a vast wasteland of crystalline formations, bluish slabs of ice, and potato-flake snow.

Okay, it wasn’t really Antarctica, but I did head to Utah Lake on New Year’s Eve after a photoshoot to see what kind of images I could glean if only I were patient enough. I found myself amazed at what could be captured when one adjusts the shutter speed, the aperture, or zooms in just a few more millimeters. Of course, time makes a big difference in this process as well. I’m not the most patient of people as a generalization; however, with a band like Nine Days along for the wait, it makes the moments like this seem not quite so long…





I did venture out a safe distance onto the frozen lake; however, just know that I didn’t journey out too far (there were ice fishers out much farther than I was…no panicking, Dad).

Like I mentioned before, I took an awful lot of time, and was out on the lake for nearly two hours. As I watched the subtle changes of light, and angle of the shots I was to take, a whole glistening world was opened to my eyes—beauty which was always there, just previously nestled in some minute, unseen place. As the sunlight waned, the colors became increasingly richer…bringing an orchestra of light which glossed and coated itself over the frosty ice.

Undoubtedly though, you tire of my narration, so it is without further ado that I share these images, very small glimpses of a very large lake.

Monday Photoshoot

Pin It Yesterday I took on a photoshoot of two adorable little boys at the park. Admittedly, it was much more complicated in attempts of getting shots of the older brother; mostly because he was so anxious to try this, that, and everything else; he was hardly standing still for even a moment. Meanwhile, his younger brother was a much easier subject from the simple fact that is mobility was limited to shorter legs and thick snow.

The shoot only took about twenty minutes in all; because of the weather they were both soon ready to head indoors to warmth and undoubtedly episodes of Blue’s Clues and Sesame Street; however, I was able to catch a few first-rate snapshots before they did so.

My next shoot is tomorrow…after that, I have nothing else booked for this week’s photo adventure. Well, maybe a trip to southern Utah if nothing else comes up. To be honest, I really haven’t quite decided as of yet.

Something told Teachinfourth...

Pin It Something told the Wild Geese
Rachel Field

Something told the wild geese
It was time to go;
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered. . . snow.

Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned . . . frost

All the sagging orchards
steamed with amber spice
But each wild breast stiffened
and remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese
it was time to fly.
Summer sun was on their wings
Winter in their cry

As I awoke this morning, I stepped outside and found myself surrounded by a world arrayed of ice crystals - like truckloads of diamond shavings - covering nearly everything. The bitter cold bite of the morning air invigorated my lungs and made me smile.


Though I am not a huge fan of winter, it is wonderful - that time - when autumn and winter meet.

Moonshadow

Pin It The moon and I went for a walk tonight up on the mountain.

It was just us two…and an iPod full of Nickel Creek tunes.

The invigorating, chilled air caught in my lungs like snatches of broken fear, as the milky-white light illuminated everything it touched.

The city lights below me twinkled, and from down by the overpass, a spotlight shone like a beacon…pointing upward to remind me where heaven was. How I wanted to ascend that beam, and reach the moon.

But alas, I am the ground.

When you’re flyin’ high, take my heart along.
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song,
That you learn to play.

When you’re soarin’ through the air
I'll be your solid ground.
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there,
When you come back down.

Snowflakes

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I was walking down the evening road.
The deep, white snow filled the air
It made not a sound,
The smell of moisture heavy on the wind
It tasted cold on my tongue.