The topic this week is "someplace warm" . . . Join Diane and I as we visit this subject at a time when our Canadian weather is heading for "someplace cold" . . . (Delores is on hiatus for the time being.)
Travel with us to your own warm place -- where would it be? Feel free to leave a poem in the comments on either of our blogs, or on your own blog -- if you do that, please leave a note in the comments to let us know how to find you.
*****
Daughter and family are safely landed in their new city far, far, FAR away . . . and we had a good final visit with them before their departure. I have carefully filed away those good memories in a safe place in my head, right beside the storage spot for my name, so I'll be able to retrieve them easily. And now that the wrench of seeing them leave has come and gone, I am able to start looking ahead to the time when we will see them again.
Close to home, our weather is not just heading for someplace cold, the cold has arrived with snow and gale force winds. Just after Daughter and family flew out of Nova Scotia, we got walloped with an early snowstorm. Within twelve hours, the snow was gone again -- washed away by rain and a sudden rise in temperature. Within another twelve hours, the red line in our outdoor thermometer had dropped like a stone and the wind had come up. Result: -20C (-4F) with the wind chill factor, and it felt every degree that cold.
Boom -- winter! Boots, scarves, winter jackets and gloves -- all hauled out of the back of the closet and gratefully worn.
And along with all the winter clothing, I've got memories to keep me warm.
Read on.
*****
Warm Places
A southerly latitude would be warmer by far;
Or a day in mid-summer, whilst inside a closed car;
A fire in the stove would be cozy and roasty;
Wearing sweaters and socks would be nearly as toasty;
But the things that will keep me the warmest, somehow,
Are the memories I'm wrapping myself in right now.
 |
Hot chocolate, and love. |
(Photo: Pixabay)
*****
Mmmm, hot chocolate :)
ReplyDeleteMemories are great for warming the cockles of the heart, but you can't beat a good fire for warming the hands and feet.
In Australia, you wouldn't want to be caught inside a car in mid-summer. The fires of hell might be cooler.
Even here we can't be in a closed car in the summer, River. I can only imagine what your heat is like, and "the fires of hell might be cooler" sounds like it would be about right.
DeleteThis is really lovely. And that photo you've included gives off the same warm feeling.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has suddenly turned really cold. We are expecting a massive dump of snow starting tonight. I'm just not ready for this!
I'm glad to hear your daughter and her family are safe and sound in their new location. Wishing them well!
Thank you - and I hear you on the snow. We've already gotten more, although it's not piling up too much. It seems like we went from summer to early winter in one brief turn.
DeleteI remember when my daughter left for Chicago. A little bitty tear let me down. However after 10 years I m used to it.
ReplyDeleteAs long as they're happy and where they want to be, it's okay, I think :)
DeleteDo I recognize that middle sentence as a line from a country song? Something rings a bell!
I remember that line, now it's going to bug me until I get over to you tube and remember the rest of the song.
DeleteI had to do that, too, River, and Burl Ives was one of the more famous singers who did it. That's probably who I remember. And so, not country, more like folk music, maybe?
DeleteHello Jenny, A difficult time for you at the moment. Have you been in touch with your daughter since they left?
ReplyDeleteYes, we've been in touch by email. They had a tiring trip with two active little boys, but are liking what they've seen of their new city so far.
DeleteGlad the family made it safe and sound. Hang onto those wonderful memories. It isn't too cold here yet so I haven't let my imagination run wild but being on the beach in Mexico wouldn't be so bad. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a southern getaway in your future this winter, Mr. S!
DeleteI'm glad your family arrangements are working out, and may they all work out for the best.
ReplyDeleteIt never gets too cold here, but it is seeming a lot like winter.
A strange kind of winter where the sun is a dull color of orange because of all the smoke in the air from the fire up by Chico.
Your poem reminds me of a lyric from an Italian band called PFM, from a song called "Just Look Away"
"Trying to keep warm
In an overcoat of memories"
It's a beautiful and sad song, and I really like it a lot.
-Doug in Oakland
How far is the fire from you, Doug? The news has been very sobering on the California fires.
DeleteI'll check that song out shortly. Seems like an appropriate thing to listen to at the moment.
According to Google Maps it's not quite 150 miles to drive there, so probably a little less "as the crow flies", but if the crow flies that way, I hope he wears a mask, because the smoke is thicker today than yesterday.
Delete-Doug in Oakland
That's pretty close. And worrying. It's hard to even comprehend the speed at which the fire travelled and the loss of life so far.
DeleteWe'll be OK down here. The smoke in the air isn't very healthy to breathe, but we'll be fine.
Delete-Doug in Oakland
Good to hear.
DeleteIt seems that much of North America (especially the Middle and Eastern Parts) are experiencing an earlier onset of Winter and snow this year. I have been sad about both the cold and the significant snow my region has experienced during the last two weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe "Weather Channel" is predicting a "heat wave" of temperatures in my region of almost 40 F (4.5 C) early next week. I am hopeful the predictions are accurate. I would like to try to put out Christmas lights (not turn them on) when it is a bit warmer than it is now. I am fearful that much of the rest of November may be in the sub-freezing zone.
PipeTobacco
It's a thousand times better to put up Christmas lights during a mild spell! I'm thinking this may be a cold, snowy winter if it continues the way it has started.
DeleteRemember, you can use Face Time when you just need to see them. You can make some funny memories with that. I have been woken up by my granddaughters that way a few times. I enjoyed “their visit”, but I wish they had warned me so I could have fixed my bride of Frankenstein morning face.
ReplyDeleteStay warm, both inside and out, dear Jenny.
"bride of Frankenstein morning face" - hah! I've seen that face in MY mirror, too! I'm looking forward to trying out Skype or Face Time, once I learn how to use it. I'm staying warm, yes :)
DeleteAw, what a warm and fuzzy poem - I like it! I'm glad your loved ones arrived safely, too. Stay warm out there! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane.
DeleteWinter has arrived way too soon for me :)
I'm sorry I'm so late. You are a brave grandma!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it counts as bravery when you can't change what's happening!
DeleteChoosing to focus on warm memories and not misery is brave
DeleteI'm not usually brave, so thank you for giving me a different way to look at it, kylie.
DeleteBrought on the tears, Jenny. Those memories are what keep me warm most days!
ReplyDeleteGood memories -- where would we be without them, Diane?
DeleteOH dear Jenny this is really touched my heart
ReplyDeletei can imagine the way you said goodbye to your lovely daughter my friend!!!
i am sure you will be able to see them soon ,yep memories are oxygen to our soul!
love and hot chocolate ,i wish and pray may you can stay warm with both of them dear dear friend!
LOVED LOVED the poem sooo much!
hugs
"Memories are oxygen to our soul" - I like the way you said that, baili. It's true!
DeleteThank you for your good thoughts, my friend.