14 Comments
User's avatar
Jane Kirkpatrick's avatar

Watching a hummingbird sit on the swing we hung, patiently waiting for another at the feeder. A rival it’s deferring to? Or just a busy bird at rest. Love the view whatever.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

What a sweet image that is! I'm glad you have hummingbirds to bring their jeweled joy to your days there in the oh-so-wonderfully-warm desert. :)

Expand full comment
Karen Davis's avatar

I was so happy to be wandering outside again today after a week stuck inside. It was 18F here too according to my car and I was just loving the frost patterns on the fallen leaves.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

How great! Isn't it such a relief to get outside when we've been stuck inside? I feel like my whole being expands when I am in the actual world, the world of other beings going about weaving life on earth. :)

Expand full comment
Karen Davis's avatar

Yeeessssss.

Expand full comment
Connie Spittler's avatar

My writing is paused right now because a recent eye exam for a new prescription revealed macular degeneration. Dry in right eye only at this time. I see a specialist December 15th. The interesting thing to share is that online there is the Amsler Grid, a simple chart to download so anyone can do a home check of each eye for macular degeneration. Each eye only takes a few seconds. I'm here to spread the word about the Grid. Generally, the disease comes on very slowly. As a writer/reader, I'm still processing. Still, happy to see the everyday wonders around me that wait to be noticed.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

Connie, I am so sorry to hear this news. If I understand correctly, dry macular degeneration is the somewhat-easier-to-live-with form of the central vision loss and may be slow-progressing and relatively mild. I hope yours is that! And thank you for mentioning the Amsler Grid (here's an online grid and instructions for testing: https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amsler-grid.htm). That's a great resource for simple at-home testing for macular degeneration. May your visit with the specialist be fruitful and supportive. I'll be thinking of you and sending good wishes.

Expand full comment
Alicia Kwon's avatar

Love your evocative word dancing.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

Thank you so much, Alicia! I appreciate your words especially since your writing is so thoughtful and lyrical.

Expand full comment
Alicia Kwon's avatar

Oh wow! I'm so deeply honored that you think so! <3 Thank you Thank you Thank you! <3

Expand full comment
Stephanie Raffelock's avatar

Loving the wonders that the colder days bring. You bring out the extraordinary in the ordinary, Susan. Write on . . .

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

Thank you for that lovely compliment, Stephanie! I am inspired by your ability to see meaning in myth as it relates to our every day lives. And I am glad that Texas finally cooled off so you could enjoy your remaining time there.

Expand full comment
Diane Porter's avatar

Nice post, celebrating the frost art.

The last green leaves are going brown and grey. And suddenly moss is everywhere and very green! It's winter's flora, and I'm glad to find myself paying attention to it again.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

Thank you! I love it when the mosses green up and are visible again. Here in the high desert, they turn gray and look dead as soon as the spring snowmelt is gone, but they green up again within minutes (literally) whenever we get a bit of summer rain. They're like resurrection plants.

Expand full comment