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Tag Archives: Winter

Beautiful Winter White…

07 Wednesday Jan 2026

Posted by Satin & Sand in beautiful, Lauren DiMarco, Poetry, Reflections, Snow, Winter

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beautiful, Clarity, Lauren DiMarco, Photography, Snow, snow storm, white, Winter

©Joan Currie – My daughter, Lauren, enveloped in the snow.


In White Weather
by Joan Currie

The trail vanished.
Wind rushed past like an animal
that did not see me.
Snow came harder, then harder–
the world narrowed to breath,
to the small miracle of standing.

I lifted my hands
and they disappeared.
Nothing stayed long enough
to be named.
The storm had its own mind,
and I was inside it.

Then–listen–
something opened.
Not the sky.
Not the snow.
But the place in me
that waits for silence
before it speaks.

Ideas arrived gently,
as they do under water,
or in the shower,
clear and shining,
each one saying:
Here. This is yours.

I stayed awhile
in the great unseeing,
learning what the storm knows:
that sometimes
not being able to see
makes things more visible–
the true shape of a thought,
the calm beneath urgency,
the joy of simply being here.

When I turned back,
the lodge glowed like a promise–
lamplight, voices, heat.
I carried with me
what the white weather gave:
a rinsed mind,
a quiet heart,
and the bright understanding
that clarity does not always arrive
in light.

Where or how do you find clarity?

Beautiful Skating on the Last Day of the Year…

31 Tuesday Dec 2024

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Art studio, beautiful, Family, Gouache, New Year 2025, Poetry, Reflections, Winter

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Art, beautiful, Family, Gouache, Last day of the year, New Year 2025, Poetry, Winter

© Joan Currie – My skating with my mother and father painting. Inspired by Gayle Kabaker.


The Last Day of the Year by Joan Currie

On the pond where frost wove its glimmering thread,
Round and round on the ice, so much laughter was spread.
My father on one side, my mother’s warm hand,
Together we skated through winter’s command.

The cold held no power, our joy burned so bright,
Each smile a lantern in the soft fading light.
My father, a hockey fan quick on his feet,
My mother, a skater whose grace was complete.

Their spirit of wonder still dances in me,
Like ripples of moonlight on a shimmering sea.
Though time has now carried their voices away,
Their love is a gift I unwrap every day.

As the year softly closes, I cherish the thought,
Of the laughter and lessons their living had taught.
I hope that my children will carry their flame,
And feel in their hearts that same joyous refrain!

A toast to the the beauty of years that have passed,
To moments of love that forever will last.
On this last day of the year, as memories shine,
I feel their hands guiding, still holding to mine.

My best wishes to you for 2025! Happy New Year!  ❤️ 

Beautiful Lynx…

25 Thursday Jan 2024

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, beautiful, Lynx, Mammals, Nature, Poetry, Reflections, watercolor, Wild animals, Winter

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beautiful, Lynx, Nature, Poetry, Reflections, watercolor, Wild animal, Winter

© Joan Currie – My watercolor painting of a Lynx in Repose

Encountering a Lynx by Joan Currie

In the moonlit glade, a lynx appears,
Fur-tipped ears, green-gold eyes quelling fears,
A guardian wise, like an androsphinx’s grace,
Yet, ponder, do we anthropomorphize his face?

All-knowing aura, mystique in his stare,
Yet, does he ponder life with a thoughtful air?
Do we project our musings, a human reflection,
Onto the lynx, seeking a shared connection?

In the silent forests, mysteries untold,
Does the lynx ponder more than hunger bold?
Hissing and yowling and screams in the night,
A startling assertion of nature’s might.

The lynx is my children’s favorite wild cat. :)

Beautiful Red Fox in Winter…

18 Thursday Jan 2024

Posted by Satin & Sand in Animals, Art, Mammals, Nature, Poetry, Reflections, watercolor, Wild animals, Winter

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Art, Nature, Poetry, Red fox, watercolor, Wild animals, Winter

© Joan Currie – My watercolor painting of a Red Fox.

Red Fox in Winter by Joan Currie

In winter’s embrace, a lonely man found cheer,
A red fox came, a friend so dear.

Exquisite fur, eyes of blue-green grace,
Shared scraps, forming a bond in that quiet space.

Yet, in reaching out, a truth unfolds,
Wild and untamed, as nature holds.

Teeth bared, a lesson swiftly learned,
A cunning companion, loyalty unearned.

I found it difficult to teach my children to be wary of wild animals when so many children’s books, cartoons, and movies – especially Disney movies, portrayed them as cute and cuddly creatures.

Beautiful Hedgehog in the Snow…

11 Thursday Jan 2024

Posted by Satin & Sand in Animals, Art, Mammals, Nature, Poetry, watercolor, Winter

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Animals, Art, beautiful, Hedgehog, hedgehogs, Nature, Poetry, Snow, watercolor, Winter

© Joan Currie – My Hedgehog in the Snow watercolor and gouache painting.

Hedgehog in the Snow by Joan Currie

In a quiet wood where leaves gently spread,
A hedgehog dwelled, his own path he’d tread.
Alone he preferred, in solitude’s embrace,
Away from his prickle, a solitary grace.

In rustling leaves, he found delight,
Playing alone, a lone hedge’s right.
Curling in a ball, he’d peacefully sleep,
In solitude’s company, his secrets to keep.

One morn, a snowy blanket covered the land,
The woods adorned in an arctic strand.
Under the sun’s gaze, a serene tableau,
Yet, no fellow creatures, no friend or foe.

As he played in the snow, a shadow drew near,
Unseen by the hedgehog, it whispered in his ear.
In his longing for solace, he returned to his den,
Curled up in a ball once more, in dreams to transcend.

Little hedgehog, in the quiet of his rest,
Unaware of the shadow, a mysterious guest.
Alone, he slumbers, in his dream’s reprieve,
In the snowy woods, where secrets weave.

I first learned about hedgehogs from The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, a delightful little children’s book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. Although the protagonist hedgehog interacted with other animals in the story, hedgehogs are known to be solitary creatures – save for mating. I know at least one person who is very much a loner, like the hedgehog, and he seems very content. :)

Beautiful Snow Leopard…

05 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by Satin & Sand in Animals, Art, Mammals, Nature, Poetry, Reflections, watercolor, Wild animals, Winter

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Art, beautiful, environment, mountains, Nature, Poetry, Snow, Snow leopard, watercolor, Winter

© Joan Currie – My watercolor and ink painting of a Snow Leopard.

Ode to a Snow Leopard by Joan Currie

In the peaks where snow doth lie,
A creature graced with silent stride,
Snow leopard roams beneath the sky,
In the realm where frost abides.

With fur of silver, spots of night,
Its gaze, ice blue, a mystic sight,
Amongst snow-capped mountains high,
A guardian beneath the moonlight.

Once a child of that mountain air,
A woman now, distant and fair,
From the village, she did part,
Leaving behind a heavy heart.

In dreams, she hears the snow’s soft call,
A longing echoes through the hall,
Her spirit yearns for frozen grace,
To wander in that wild embrace.

The snow leopard, a silent guide,
Through peaks where memories abide,
Its eyes like crystals, piercing cold,
A tale of nature’s beauty told.

The woman, haunted by the past,
Desires the mountains, free at last,
To return to where her soul belongs,
Amidst the snow, where it prolongs.

Through valleys deep and rivers wide,
Her heart retraces steps beside,
Towards the peaks, she yearns to climb,
Reconnect with frozen time.

Oh, snow leopard with eyes so bright,
Guide her through the frigid night,
To find her way, to nature’s lore,
To the mountains she adored once more.

The northern landscapes that shaped my early years now seem like distant dreams. I wish for a winter’s day, especially in the late afternoon as the sun is setting, when the snow is infused with soft shades of white, blue, lavender, and rose.

Beautiful Winter Robin…

07 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by Satin & Sand in Birds, Christmas, Crafts, Poetry, Red, Winter

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beautiful, Birds, Christmas, Elizabeth Bradley, Needlepoint, Robin, Walter de la Mare, Winter

© Joan Currie. Christmas Robin needlepoint I stitched.


Winter by Walter de la Mare

Clouded with snow
The cold winds blow,
And shrill on leafless bough
The robin with its burning breast
Alone sings now.

The rayless sun,
Day’s journey done,
Sheds its last ebbing light
On fields in leagues of beauty spread
Unearthly white.


Thick draws the dark,
And spark by spark,
The frost-fires kindle, and soon
Over that sea of frozen foam
Floats the white moon.


I have been noticing robins on the branches of fruit trees on my walks through the neighborhood. Although the robin is usually thought of as a harbinger of spring, the December robin makes a delightful Christmas herald!

Beautiful Winter Thaw…

10 Thursday Feb 2022

Posted by Satin & Sand in Daily Life, Photography, Reflections, Winter

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Grace, Philip Yancey, Winter, Winter thaw

© James Currie – NYC

Like a sudden thaw in the middle of winter, grace happens at unexpected moments. It stops us short, catches the breath, disarms. If we manipulate it, try to control it, somehow earn it, that would not be grace. Yet not everyone has tasted of that amazing grace, and not everyone believes in it.
– Philip Yancey

On my walk today, I felt the warmth of the sun on my back like the reassuring hand of an old friend.

Ten Beautiful Outdoor Winter Preparations…

03 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by Satin & Sand in 10 Beautiful Things, Photography, Ten Beautiful Things, Tips, Travel, Winter

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cold, Dutch whaler hats, Ice, Outdoor preparations, Rijksmuseum, Snow, Winter, Winter outdoors, Winter preparedness tips, Winter safely, Winter survival

Dutch whaler woolen hat, c. 1650-1700, I photographed at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

“…the men recognized one another only by the pattern of stripes on the caps. The men were bundled up so tightly against the fierce cold that only their eyes were visible.” Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

It’s wintertime and I plan to spend time outdoors. Despite the prevalence of winter survival videos that make life in the wilderness look so easy, the elements can be very unpredictable and conditions can become life-threatening very quickly. I have experienced some challenging times in snow country, including my snowmobile falling through the ice. Fortunately, I was able to jump away from the ice hole, but after that, I had a much greater respect for winter safety and safety in general. I travel with a buddy whenever possible and make sure I set up a communication and locator alert system with a designated family member or friend before setting out.
Here’s what I do to keep warm and safe in the cold:

1. Wear a woolen hat and neck warmer. (I have knit myself several, and always bring a couple of extra ones in case it snows heavily and they get wet.)

2. Use a waterproof shell for my woolen mittens to keep my hands warm and dry (see below). I pack spare pairs of mitten liners.

3. Dress in layers to regulate my warmth and so I can remove or replace ones if needed. I pack backup clothes as well, including a bag that I always keep in the trunk of the car. If it is really cold, I wrap a wide wool scarf around my waist and over my kidneys to keep my core warm.

4. I know my gear: I have tested my sleeping bag to be sure of its comfort rating. I pack an extra one in case the temperature drops lower than anticipated. (I use a converted quilt as my backup sleeping bag to my mummy sleeping bag.) I make sure to keep them both dry, especially since they are down-filled.

5. Take a pocket thermometer to be aware of the temperature dropping, particularly in the late afternoon.

6. Take a travel carbon monoxide detector in case I have to spend time in my car or a cabin with a gas heater or open flame.

7. Keep my phone charged and keep it close to my body so it doesn’t freeze up. Pack a backup battery.

8. A flashlight, headlamp, and high visibility reflective vest are musts.

9. Bring along extra food such as power bars and especially water – I keep a water bottle tucked in an inside pocket.

10. Car equipment: chains or cables, shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction. Snow equipment: waterproof boots with snow leg gaiters, snowshoes, boot calipers, rope, and a small axe, ice pick and knife. I mark my ice pick handle with one inch markings to measure the thickness of the ice.

My cold weather mittens with wool liners and outer shells.

Beautiful New Year’s Resolutions, sort of…

28 Tuesday Dec 2021

Posted by Satin & Sand in Father, New Year's Resolutions, Photography, Reflections, Relationships, Winter

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Challenges, Father, New Year's Resolutions, Winter

Looking forward to 2022…

Success consists of going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill

My father loved sports and games. He was a fierce competitor and exuberant victor. I revered him and from a very young age wanted to get in on the action. I knew that I would never beat him at the chosen sport or game, but it was thrilling just to be in his realm while I played opposite him. He didn’t believe in throwing a game or giving handicaps – if I were to win, it would have to be a completely unambiguous victory.

As the years went on, I accepted defeat – most of the time it was utter defeat, complete annihilation, actually. But in my teens I figured out a way to play against him that became enjoyable. Rather than concentrate on the final outcome, always defeat for me, I played by point spreads. To my surprise, I actually got better at the sports and games and wanted to play more often. I became a warrior and found enjoyment in the challenge! I never did beat him at any sport or game but I always had a good time.

After reviewing my 2021 New Year’s Resolutions, I realized that I had completed only three of the thirty listed. Hardly a victory. But I had a good time trying and I am actually further ahead than this time last year. I now have another list for 2022 – do I really think that I will complete it? No. But I will enjoy the challenge!

Photo by David Dodds

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