FEBRUARY, AT FIRST LOOK...

At first look, 

through my window this morning,

 all I could see were shades of gray. 

 Not the gray 

that I might see 

in a beautifully appointed room, 

but a gray,

 that at first glance,

 would only seem

 dull and depressing...

...a gray 

that magnifies 

the drops of rain 

on an errant rose cane...

...or a gray 

that is washing away 

the dust and grime 

from the leaves of the camellia, 

leaving it bright and healthy

 for the days to come.

"What good is the warmth of summer

Without the cold of winter 

To give it sweetness."

John Steinbeck

Now that February is here

 that is most likely what we all see 

at first look.

 For such a short month,

 February probably holds us prisoners 

more than any other. 

 January

 is taken up with

 getting the aftermath of Christmas 

put to rights, 

and March starts 

the signaling of spring

 so that leaves February

 to hold the brunt of all

 that comes between...

...and it is up to us 

to look inside and see the "colors"

of our life 

for what they are.

"We bring roses, beautiful fresh roses,/ dewy as the morning and colored like the dawn."

Thomas Buchanan Read

(1822-1872)

At first look,

 I should have seen 

how even a gray sky

 can still shine through glass 

and make it sparkle...

...or just by flipping a switch,

 a lamp can

 fill your soul 

with warmth...

...or by turning on another lamp,

 the light can focus 

on a painted rose and 

make it come to life 

before your very eyes.

Beautiful roses 

that don't need any other introduction.

 They will bring joy and brightness 

into your life 

no matter how you look at them,

 whether in a vase,

 to shine in the moment,

 or as an everlasting

 that will be added next fall 

to a familiar garland.

From one room to another, 

you can gather your rosebuds

 where they may 

and they will always be 

a source of beauty

 in your day.

One thing that February has

 that no other month has 

is LOVE, 

and I will leave you today

 with only thoughts of love.

  I appreciate your following and

 all of your 

wonderful and constructive comments,

 but above all else,

your friendship. 

 It is enough

 to make me see

 beyond the gray skies.

BTW, 

how do you spell gray anyway?

  With an E or an A? 

That is something 

I will contemplate 

as I lay dreaming 

of spring.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All of the above 

took place over the past weekend and

 into Monday morning...

...this is where we are today

 as I publish

 this post.

Pretty and pristine...

...and with 

the bare necessities 

taken care of...

...back to 

Cottage comfort.

...Judy...

Take heart...

Gray skies are gonna clear up.

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