winter

355:365


What a past 24hrs it has been! I purposely went to bed early last night and set my alarm for 1:30am... because I thought the eclipse was going to be most visible at 1:44am. Turns out... it was 12:44am here... eeps.

That said... From what I understand... nothing could be seen here on the westside of ABQ due to cloud cover. I stayed up... trying to get photos of ... well... anything... and did manage to get some shots... but not what I was thinking I would get. Ah well.

Sometimes the best laid plans..... well... you know.

So... the first shot is from around midnight... right before I took a nap... and it shows a glorious full moon. The middle one is from around 2:30am... when I had about 5 seconds of sky before it got all cloudy again. And then the last one... is from 3am... when it went back to a briefly clear sky... and a mostly full moon.


Today I got some wonderful items from a dear friend... she is clearing out and refining her own life... and felt it was time to get rid of alot of her stuff. And so now... I have this incredible art installation in my house comprised of bones... stones... gourds and such. I am beyond thrilled. It is amazing.


And I also got this fabulous info from another dear friend (who saw it on this blogpost) ... about the Winter Solstice... and I thought it was only befitting that I in turn, pass it on to you....

Vicki Noble writes: "At Winter Solstice, a (metaphorical) seed is planted in us. Over the coming year, this seed–planted in the darkness of Winter—will sprout and grow, becoming something manifest in our lives by the fall harvest time. What is it you would like to bring to birth in this coming year? What do you care about and want to protect? What act of power can you make that would transform your fears and doubts into confidence and empowerment?
How can you improve your health, your job, your relationships? These are the ruminations I would suggest you entertain on this powerful Winter Solstice; make it count!
From midnight to late afternoon is your Tuesday window of ritual activity . Fast from gossip and irritability; imagine peace in your heart. Say mantras to help your mind relax and release its habitual patterns. Go into nature, meditate, pray, and be contemplative. Say prayers for all your ancestors; and then say prayers for all your family and friends. When you’re done with that, say prayers for all beings without exception." ((you can read more about Vicki Noble HERE))


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

351:365


Because my sleep hours are erratic (to say the least)... I was up at 1am when it was really began snowing heavily here (a rare event)... and took a few photos. It's amazing to me how bright it was considering the time of night... but... snow does reflect light... and it was glorious out.

And today... I took this opportunity to make some winter soup. I roasted one small pumpkin, then pureed it with 3 summer squash, 2 zucchini, celery, lots of cooked carrots, some bok choy, some veggie broth, and a few roasted garlic cloves ... put it on simmer for an hour... and topped it with roasted mushrooms and a little Parmesan cheese. YUM.

Hope you all are huddled in ... warm and safe... and enjoying the weekend to come...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

347:365


Last night I had the awesome pleasure of joining some friends around the fire pit in their backyard. I love fire. Seriously. I have always had an affinity for fire... and it is very natural for me to be able to start and keep a fire going. As a kid/ early teen... I also had alot of premonitions and dreams revolving around fire.
So ... needless to say... it has always played a somewhat important role in my life.

According to Wiki... "Fire has been an important part of all cultures and religions, from pre-history to modern day, and was vital to the development of civilization. It has been regarded in many different contexts throughout history, but especially as a metaphysical constant of the world, along with air, water, and other forces of nature."

Ceremonial fire also plays a huge role in several religions and traditions all around the world. One tradition that is close to my heart... is the practice of writing down your troubles... things that bother you... things that seem to be in the way... and then to burn those in the fire... a sort of symbolic gesture in getting rid of those things. And so... in this season of winter... while you are gazing upon your individual fires... perhaps it is also a time to relinquish some of your troubles in the flames...



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

wintertime reflections


"winter" photo by Elaine A. Russell. Taken TTV with a vintage Brownie Hawkeye
... my very first camera.


The year is winding down rather quickly. I am finding that I have several projects that I would like to finish before the new year...phone calls to make... business taxes to do... etc. This way I can start off the new year "fresh."
This past year has been a difficult one on many levels... friendships that have come and gone... people who have passed in and out of my life... health issues... money issues... kids growing up and getting ready to move on to their own exciting adventures...remodeling and working on the house...no longer having any pro camera equipment...making some major career decisions...
And yet; these seemingly troublesome issues have brought goodness. New friends. New people in my life... a resurgence of good health...a simpler lifestyle...a moving on to a new phase of my life...re-inventing and becoming more creative with my photography...discovering what is really important to me...

In the whole scheme of things... alot of what we(I) worry about is trivial. Sometimes it takes events and transitions to make us reflect more and figure out what truly is necessary to this life. What moves us. What makes us happy. What could possibly change things for the better... not just for me in my little corner...but possibly for someone else as well.

I've never been one for making resolutions for the new year. It seems like a self defeating prophecy of sorts...at least for me. I prefer to think of each new year as a new opportunity for growth and change. For explorations inward and outward bound. To meet new friends... to learn.
What will this next year hold? Who knows. But I am looking forward to the adventure.