Things are looking up
December skies in late afternoon remind me of a child’s nursery. The walls are painted in hushed pinks and pale cool blues. The setting sun is like a nightlight clicking off.
One day the sky is like a frozen pond of clouds. This one is slashed with white streaks, as if ice skaters have dragged their blades across it.
The next day it’s like an endless rolling countertop. Clouds curdle and ripple. They spill but never fall off.
Clouds are like floating islands surrounded by a sea of blue. Sometimes a faint moon appears out of the mist like an approaching boat that has come from another country.
The sky is like a vast uncharted territory that makes me think of polar bears and angels. While I watch it, I talk to my brother, who loved clouds and all kinds of weather. “Are you seeing this, Jim?” I ask out loud. I’m not the type to talk to the dead, but I do. Since he’s no longer here, I look at the world for him, especially the sky.
December 13th, 2006 9:26 am
He is definately seeing it!
Anytime I see one of those feather clouds I especially think of him. He loved those feather clouds – even before the white feather emerged.
I posted my 3rd Blog Fodder today? Are you going to join? It’s great!
December 13th, 2006 10:21 am
What a good analogy….the nursery colors. Very true. I like the rippled, cottage cheesy sky. All very beautiful.
Here are some cyber hugs coming to you to help cheer you up today! Did you feel ’em? And yes it was I who was caught with the dog treat in my mouth!
December 13th, 2006 10:26 am
In response to:
You guys had a boat?
Yep Oz had a boat through most of my preteen years. It was in our backyard dilapidated for about 10 years after that…. I think he got rid of it about 5 years ago or so.
In response to:
blog fodder
I think the site should have a place where people check in after they’ve done them so others can read and share, but maybe they do that in the comments.
Yes Blog Fodder uses comments to show who posted and there is also a Blog Roll of participants.
December 13th, 2006 10:57 am
I just absolutely love this. The photos are beautiful, but the way you wrap your words around them makes them into whole worlds unto themselves.
December 13th, 2006 11:45 am
Now you’ve made me tear up too. I talk to my sister often and see things for both of us, hoping she sees it too. These pictures are beautiful and your descriptions are delicious.
December 13th, 2006 1:13 pm
I love sunsets and sunrises.
Then I thought about moonrises.
My goal is to go down to the beach and photograph a full moon rising over the ocean.
Nyssa also loves weather. It looks like she might head back to the land of her birth… Oklahoma.. for graduate school in meteorology. Hopefully an internship this summer before her senior year.
December 13th, 2006 2:21 pm
These photos are so wonderful. No wonder that the view made you want your brother to see it.
Since he’s no longer here, I look at the world for him, especially the sky.
sigh.
December 13th, 2006 3:59 pm
Gorgeous photos. That third one looks identical to how our sky looked yesterday….we were driving back onto the island from Gainesville and the sun was shining on the water and I looked up and there were those clouds. Amazing! (but didn’t have my camera with me, of course…lol)
PS…keep talking. He hears you. Trust me.
December 13th, 2006 4:12 pm
Beautiful pictures Colleen!!! I was thinking of you this weekend. My brother had his wedding vows renewed in the church and then a reception that followed. My Uncle Bobby came in and so did Barry. It was nice to see my dad with both of his brothers there! I spent a lot of time dancing and even had enough to drink that I got up and sang Kereoke (sp?)! Sounds like you had a great weekend yourself!!! I’ll be in touch..we’re still going to get together sometime!!!xoxo
December 13th, 2006 6:02 pm
colleen- those are some of the best sky photos i’ve seen! lovely…..i love your words, too. and i also loved haywood comm.college….that was a great “era” in my life. we used to hang out under the big willow tree by the mill and pond and play guitars, sing, and eat beanburgers between classes!:) i graduated from there in 97.
December 13th, 2006 6:06 pm
oh yeah…. i LOVE Madison county. my parents almost bought a farm there during my teen years. my sister and i used to go for drives there…there used to be a little herb shop called “herb of grace” we’d visit and a campground we loved near hot springs. madison county is kind of the last frontier in western NC…..everything else is getting developed so quickly.
December 13th, 2006 7:15 pm
clearly, the sky
disguises
not limits.
thank you for sharing this.
December 13th, 2006 8:47 pm
All the photos are from my Blue Ridge Parkway neighborhood!
December 13th, 2006 9:23 pm
Wow! STUNNINGLY beautiful shots! Love them all! and your words to them. They got me in some special mood watching them 🙂
Warmth welcome to my Crack Me Up Party on Friday 15 dec! Prepare some joke or some fun to bring and to have FUN 🙂 Tell everybody to come!
Read more at my blog…
December 13th, 2006 9:34 pm
He’s seeing it, Colleen, but from another angle. I love those curdled clouds.
December 13th, 2006 9:36 pm
Your pictures are amazing. I always have the feeling that my husband is trying to reach me when I see the sun splitting the clouds and making those rays that shoot down from the heavens to the earth.
December 13th, 2006 9:43 pm
These are extraordinary! I think he must be seeing them….he may even be part of them and that’s why you were drawn to them.
December 13th, 2006 10:23 pm
Beautiful, Colleen! I love sunsets & sunrises and clouds. Those pictures brought a sense of calmness and “all is right with the world” into my rather tired brain this evening.
Thanks!
Susan
December 13th, 2006 11:53 pm
Beautiful photos and narrative. Really really lovely.
December 14th, 2006 12:51 am
I am so jealous. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
BTW…you’ve been tagged 😉 – see my blog for more info (if you feel up to it).
Have a good one.
Ana
December 14th, 2006 4:52 am
Most Beautiful Colleen…I hope he is seeing the Sunset on my blog today, too…
These pictures are gorgeous!, my dear…Awesome, really!
December 16th, 2006 10:22 am
I have always been drawn and fascinated by the beauty of the skies. Lovely photos.