Friday, December 19, 2008


The Journey

Pull on the woolen mittens, wrap the shawl tightly. It is time for the journey into winter.
For six months now, the iridescent curtains of the earth have been slowly closing. The unseen, pale blue hand has moved them, bit by bit, an infinitesimal distance towards the center, shutting out the light in minute amounts each and every evening since the month of June. On this very weekend he stands back to admire his handiwork. With wizened hands on hips, he smiles his ancient silver smile as he observes the many hours of darkness, the iced moon hanging in a starry sky, taking up its lofty post earlier this weekend than at any other - the fewest hours of the sun - the shortest day of the year. It is complete, and he is most pleased, for he has once again fashioned Winter. White grey, silver blue, Winter.
And yet, he does not trouble us. As we make our way into his boreal creation, our provisions are sufficient. For even in the piercing cold of the bleakest of mid-winters, there is such warmth to be found. True friends, glowing fireplaces, fuzzy slippers, furry faces. Cinnamon toast, spiced tea. Days spent in cozy kitchens where copper kettles sing and savory soups simmer atop cherry red stoves - with nights burrowed snug under tartan blankets, lost inside the crisp pages of adventurous books.
Oh yes, we are quite prepared for this journey, for we have taken it before. And well we know, even now, as the old man takes his leave, rightly satisfied with his design, a smooth and tiny hand, the colour of peridot, is reaching for those curtains, ready now to pull them, bit by bit, every so slightly, open.

Painting above: Atkinson Grimshaw

35 comments:

  1. And what a beautiful journey it is.

    Happy Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas!

    Melissa

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  2. Its wonderful to know we can hope for the spring. It helps us to enjoy and make the most of the Winter.

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  3. A painting of warmth and comfort with words on this cold evening. Thank you. :-)

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  4. Can I come spend winter at your home? It sounds ever so inviting and cozy.

    ps I want one of those cherry red stoves.

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  5. Oh how beautiful. You have such a way with words, combining them with art. Just beautiful. Your blog is such a pleasure....combined with a glass of wine each night....by the fire.
    Merry Christmas,
    Yaya

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  6. What divine imagery from your wonderful gift of words.

    I'm with Steviewren, that stove sounds amazing!

    Happy weekend!

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  7. Happy Solstice!

    I am already looking forward to longer days and it isn't even Christmas yet.

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  8. This was an absolutely beautiful post - your writing is wonderful. Enjoy the inner light of the season!

    Isa

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  9. Pamela, you are the last of the true romantics! Ted (My Jack Russell) and I wish you and Edward a very joyous Christmas.

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  10. Now that is where I would like to spend christmas. A cozy kitchen with the snow falling outside. Your words are a balm during our South African heat wave.

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  11. In the darkest night, there is always hope.

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  12. Pamela, always such beautiful thoughts and imagery! I celebrate the Winter Solstice and the daily gift of precious seconds of light each and every day. Merry Christmas!

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  13. Ahhhhh, Old Man Winter. You have painted a beautiful word picture for me, Pamela.
    Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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  14. Perfection Pamela!Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful descriptions.
    Happy days to you and Edward.

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  15. I love winter, but also spring, so look forward to all the changing seasons. Happy winter solstice and a very Merrie olde Christmas ! x

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  16. "For six months now, the iridescent curtains of the earth have been slowly closing. "
    --So beautifully put. Well, you know I lovee Winter. I'm ther for certain!

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  17. You write so beautifully. It's always such a pleasure to read your posts which always leave me feeling more at peace with the world then when I arrived. Thank you.

    Gillian

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  18. lovely words, bringing warmth to this windy and cold solstice....

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  19. This was delightful. Thanks for warming the day. I love visiting here, Pamela.
    Catherine

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  20. thanks for the story - it was a wonderful break today - happy solstice

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  21. Here at 29 Black Street we've battened down the winter hatches and are awaiting the first of two back to back Christmas week storms. Tonight we're in for snow and very high winds combined with bitter cold and worries of power outages. The fire is stoked, big jugs of water have been poured, doors and windows snugly locked and Miss D, Les Chats and I are just hunkering down for a wild windy night.

    Miss Winnie Dixon wanted me to send Edward and Apple (and of course to you to Pamela) the happiest and merriest Christmas wishes.

    lots of love from all of us, Susan

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  22. You have magic in your fingers!!!
    Happy Winter Solstice, and Bright Blessings for you and your loved ones.Roll on Imbolc!
    Hugs Lynn xx

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  23. Such beautiful imagery. I can picture it in illustrated-picture-book form! Mmmmmm - gorgeous.

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  24. What a midwinter treat Pamela. I've come to love my visits to your place here in Blogland.
    Sometimes I feel as though Blogland is an enchanted forest with all these little hidden doors in the trees and each one is a secret shortcut to all these far-away places. How lucky we are!
    So glad I found the path to your door!

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  25. Ps. And a Happy Solstice to you!

    (I quite forgot why I called in the first place, so bedazzled by your spell was I!)

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  26. Lovely words and painting!
    May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and the best New Year!!

    tea
    xo

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  27. A very beautiful journey..and what a beautiful painting..I love it..
    And you are a great painter with words..
    Merry Christmas..:)

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  28. Beautiful post, Pamela.

    Merry Christmas to you and Edward

    Pat and Tessa Buttons

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  29. What a beautiful posting! You are so gifted in expressing yourself.
    The Merriest of Christmas'to you and Edward. :)

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  30. You are a beautiful writer. You really should put this all down in a book...I would buy it.

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  31. I am absolutely besotted with this painting!

    I grew up in the Northeast, and love the quiet beauty of snow. In Georgia, we rarely get snow, and instead have the steady drumbeat of a rainstorm (or worse, ice storm) in the winter. I miss the quiet of the snow!

    Hope you are having a lovely day.

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  32. What an absolutely fantastic photograph. I'd be over the moon if I had taken it.

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  33. What a tribute to the loveliest things about winter! These types of things are what I look forward to as the days grow cold and that I need to remember as I get antsy for the season to pass!

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!