seven below zero

February 15th, 2016.

It's been just under a year since my last post. Who knows if anyone's paying attention - but here is another sunrise for you.

My thermometer read -7 degrees Fahrenheit this morning as I headed out with my three doggie friends. As you can see from a couple of the photos, their paws were freezing up in the low temperatures.

After graduating last summer with an MFA in creative writing, I had a college teaching job fall in my lap - three days before classes began. I liked it enough to say yes to a second semester - one class, three days a week. This semester it's an 8am class, which means I've seen a lot of sunrises, and pre-dawns for that matter.

Since it is the day after Valentine's Day, I will share a little poem that I sent to my family.

❤💕
💕❤

I send this joyful valentine
To toast my very favorite nine.
Did some great act of wise design
Provide me such a crew divine?
A dazzling family core is mine!

Each one of us, our own bold line,
yet through the fates, we intertwine;
we're strong alone, but we combine
into a lush abundant vine
no pestilence can undermine.

My heart and thanks are ever thine -
May you sing more than repine.
May your fortunes ever shine.
May your problems turn out fine
and every threat become benign.

Now raise a stein, or wine and dine
on vegetables or fish or swine
with loved ones human or canine
(tho' maybe not a porcupine).
Three cheers that stars and love align!

❤💕
💕❤