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Winter always makes me feel so schmaltzy.

For those of you who have no idea what that word means, here is a definition:

schmaltzy (adjective) : Yiddish word pertaining to--affectionate, corny, dewy-eyed, dreamy, gushy, idealistic, impressionable, loving, mawkish, moonstruck, nostalgic, romantic, saccharine, sappy.

Yup, that pretty much defines how I feel about winter.

And to give you an example, one day last week I went for a long walk after I had my lunch. It was a day that most people would have found depressing because the sky was cloudy and gray, the air was windy and cold, and most of the trees and bushes were bald. Call me crazy, but I love how nature looks during the winter months--temporarily barren and void of bright colors. In winter, nature seems to turn various shades of sepia. In winter, nature seems to speak the word, "Hush."

Midway through my walk, I sat down on a park bench and allowed myself to drink in the beauty of winter. And as I sat there in silence; looking all around me, my heart began to swell with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for this season.

And yes, I got all schmaltzy and cried.

Tears of joy.

Please enjoy winter, as I see it and feel it.

Beautiful...













And what better way to end my walk that day, than to encounter one of my favorite wild, furry, and adorable creatures...


Have a faaaantastic week, everyone!
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24 comments:

  1. Loved this, Ron. I too love winter, especially when it's not as cold as usual. Seriously, my garden is picture perfect in winter and so are the animals that pop in for a quick snack. Squirrels, mainly, and foxes. I spend hours (slight exaggeration) gazing at wildlife visitors from the comfort of my armchair.

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  2. Ron, I totally understand because that's how I feel about summer. I'm almost in tears when I'm outdoors enjoying a glorious sunny day. Vitamin D energizes me! Your photos are just lovely. Dried hydrangea are beautiful and I'm surprised you found some berries hanging on to something. I want to reach out and touch that furry bud. Mr. Squirrel is keeping his eyes on you!

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  3. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, January 14, 2020

    Lovely lovely lovely! I love winter too.

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  4. Gorgeous photos and - Mr. Squirrel!

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  5. That squirrel is soooo cute -- and I think he was happy to pose for you, too!


    Ron, you've *almost* convinced me of Winter's charms ... almost. But, despite your wonderful photos (and I mean WONDERFUL!!), it's still Winter. Gray. Drab. Cold. And all that wears on my being. I guess I'm just a southern gal at heart -- give me sunshine and flowers and little creatures scurrying around. Give me sandy beaches, brilliant colors, and a long-haired dog free from "eau de wet dog" smell. Give me the sounds of fairs, carnivals, tennis racquets, and baseball.


    But even if I'm not convinced, I do love your argument -- and your photos. They're starkly beautiful, and they really prove Nature needs its rest during Winter months. xo

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  6. Unite, fellow winter lovers!

    Great photos, Ron. They could only look more spectacular with a fresh coating of snow atop them. I feel the same way about the season (and by the way, I really like the word "mawkish" - I think it's underused in society today, and we should do something about that).

    Enjoy the rest of your week! I hear it might get cold out that way?

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  7. Love, love, love your photo captures. Yes, winter has a beauty all it's own apart from the other colorful seasons. it takes a keen eye to see it and appreciate it. In winter, nature seems to speak the word, "Hush." YES! That is exactly right! It's a time to rest. Entrepreneur hates winter and suffers from SAD syndrome. It's so hard for him to go from November to April without losing his mind. Winter is not my favorite, but I appreciate its beauty from a creative point of view. X

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  8. Thank you, Lisa. It's funny because when I was growing up, winter was a season I dreaded. However, as I've gotten older these past 19 years, I see it (and feel it) so completely different. I see and fee its BEAUTY. And there is such a wonderful peace about it.

    "Entrepreneur hates winter and suffers from SAD syndrome. It's so hard for him to go from November to April without losing his mind. Winter is not my favorite...."

    Yes, I think most people feel that way. It's makes many people depressed because of the lack of sunlight. However, I seem to thrive on gray, cloudy, cold days. Perhaps I should go live in Transylvania with Dracula. HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fabulous week!
    X

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  9. "Unite, fellow winter lovers!"

    YES!....YES!...YES! I knew you'd understand, Mark! And you are perhaps the only person I know who does.

    Thank you. And I agree...they need a fresh coating of snow atop them. Exactly! I'm hoping this weekend we get some!!!

    Isn't that word faaaaaaaaaaaaabulous? You're right, it's very underused!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my fellow-winter-lover! And bring on the SNOW!!!!!

    X to you and Tara

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  10. aw...thank you, Grace! Isn't Mr. Squirrel ADORABLE? OMG...I LOVE squirrels!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!
    X

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  11. Thank you, Fiona! And YES!!!!!!....another snow-lover, like me! Isn't winter gorgeous? And I love seeing it through the photographs on your blog!

    Have a super week, my friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!

    X

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  12. Hey there Valerie!

    Isn't winter lovely? I love not only how it looks, but also how it feels. I feel so much calmer and relaxed in winter. I also feel more creative, mentally alert, and I sleep so much better when it's cold.

    "Seriously, my garden is picture perfect in winter and so are the animals that pop in for a quick snack. Squirrels, mainly, and foxes. I spend hours (slight exaggeration) gazing at wildlife visitors from the comfort of my armchair."

    That sounds WONDERFUL!!! Almost like a Disney film!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend. Hope you're enjoying a fab week! Glad you're back!

    X

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  13. Yes, you feel about summer how I feel about winter. I totally understand. And I think most people feel as you. What I mainly love about winter is that my mind and body feel so much more alive, creative, and energized. I also sleep so much better in winter because I love to sleep buried beneath blankets; surrounded by pillows. I sleep so deep and sound in winter.

    Like a bear. HA!

    I know, can you believe the color of those berries? That was so rare because I saw no other bright colors that whole day.

    Isn't Mr. Squirrel ADORABLE? He actually posed for me. HA!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a most excellent week!

    X

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  14. Isn't that squirrel ADORABLE, Debbie? Yes!!!! That's what I thought too....he POSED for me! HA!

    Yes, I know...most people feel as you do about winter. And what's very ironic is that when I was younger, I felt the same way. LOVED spring and summer! However, over the past 19 years, I've gone the opposite...fall and winter are my favorite seasons.

    Thank you for your kind words about the photos. I had so much fun capturing these images, which gave me much joy.

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous week, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!

    X

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  15. "In winter, nature seems to speak the word, 'Hush.'"

    What a brilliant description, Ron! These photos are absolutely prize-worthy! I can't believe the detail that you capture in these images. And the squirrel in the last photo looks like he's playing peek-a-boo!

    I don't blame you for getting all schmaltzy. I dislike winter but I know that gratitude is the cornerstone of a healthy mind.

    A Zen master once said you should three things every morning the moment you open your eyes in the morning: thank you, thank you, thank.

    Whatever you have, wherever you are, be thankful and you'll find that life gets a little bit easier. It sure beats the hell out of cursing the fates every five minutes.

    Take care, buddy, and let may the schmaltz be with you!

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  16. Ron, these pictures are exquisite! You have such a great eye for photography. The clarity in everyone of these is amazing. Your love of winter is so evident not only in these images, but also in your words. "In winter, nature seems to turn various shades of sepia. In winter, nature seems to speak the word, "Hush."

    Beautiful!

    I love winter too. But we're in the minority. I don't like being hot, so I'd much rather experience the dead of winter, rather than the dead of summer.

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  17. Thank you, Candice :) I've been practicing closeup shots using manual mode instead of auto focus. I love photography, but am self-taught.

    Yup..can you tell that I LOVE winter? HA!

    There are not many of us who do. The majority of people prefer warmth over cold. For me, I feel dreadful in the dead of summer. Heat is painful for me. Cold doesn't bother at all.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  18. Hey there Rob!

    Thank you :) For the last year or so, I've been practicing my skills using manual mode instead of auto. I've also been practicing closeup shots and depth of field (aperture). I love learning photography through trial and error.

    Isn't the squirrel adorable? I was so lucky to get that shot because he/she was moving so fast.

    "I don't blame you for getting all schmaltzy. I dislike winter but I know that gratitude is the cornerstone of a healthy mind." Yes, and that's what I try to do during the hot summer months. I try and focus on what I like about summer, instead of the heat.

    And I LOVE what you shared about the Zen master because I do that every morning before getting out of bed.

    "Whatever you have, wherever you are, be thankful and you'll find that life gets a little bit easier. It sure beats the hell out of cursing the fates every five minutes."

    Yes! Yes! Yes! I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gratitude creates more gratitude.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your insight! Appreciate that! Enjoy the rest of your week!

    X

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  19. Ron, I love the word schmaltzy! I grew up in New York right next to a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, so I used to hear that word a lot. In fact, I use it myself.

    Your photographs are just gorgeous! I love the focus, it's beautiful. And you're not crazy because I love all-things winter as well. Or perhaps maybe we're both crazy LOL! My husband enjoys winter too, but not as much as me. Around February he starts getting antsy for spring.

    That photo of the squirrel is so cute. It's like he posed for you!

    Did you hear that we're getting some nice cold weather this weekend, and possibly some snow? I know you're happy about that. Me too! xo

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  20. Elaine, that's AWESOME! I didn't grow up in a Jewish neighborhood, however, my family was closely connected to the Jewish culture because my father's business partners were Jewish, so we socialized a lot, which turned me on to a lot of their traditions and verbiage.

    Thank you. :) I've been practicing my focus using manual mode instead of auto. I've also been practicing closeup (aperture) skills as well. I love photography.

    HA! Glad to hear that I'm not crazy about winter. This winter has been pretty lame as far as snow and cold, we've had hardly any of both. Yes, I did see that cold and snow is coming this weekend. Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

    Isn't that squirrel adorable? What a cutie!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  21. Ron, I've watched your photography technique grow and grow throughout these years and it's so inspiring. These pictures are incredible! I particularly love the first one, it's gorgeous.

    I'm a fall and winter person, but my girl friend is a spring and summer person. I love the cold, she loves the heat. We're always adjusting the heat in the winter and the a/c in the summer because she likes it warm, I like it cold. That's pretty much our only disagreement. LOL!

    Stellar shot of the squirrel, dude!

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  22. Thank you for your encouraging words, Matt. I really appreciate that. Photography is something I'v always had an interest. Even as kid, I used to love looking through photography books, studying them. It's been an enjoyable journey, with more to learn.

    "We're always adjusting the heat in the winter and the a/c in the summer because she likes it warm, I like it cold. That's pretty much our only disagreement. LOL!"

    HA! That's funny. My parents were the same, only my father liked heat, my mother couldn't stand being hot. Moving to Florida was such an adjustment for her, yet my father instantly enjoyed it.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a fabulous week!

    X

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  23. Well, my Libra friend, we can't be alike in EVERY way! But I do love your love of winter. And you definitely have a way of presenting the serene beauty of it. One thing I do love about winter is providing plenty of food for the squirrels and birds so there is always something to watch. And I like looking for the more subtle signs of life in this season - the tiny little crocuses and the green of all the evergreen trees. Absolutely gorgeous photos, Ron.

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  24. You're right, my Libra friend, we can't be alike in EVERY way! However, I'm happy you love me love of winter :)

    It's crazy when I think about the 20 years I lived in Florida, loving the constant heat and sunshine. And then gradually turning the other way, craving cold, snow and winter. But even though I love winter, I'm also grateful for the other 3 seasons because they too have their own unique beauty.

    "One thing I do love about winter is providing plenty of food for the squirrels and birds so there is always something to watch. And I like looking for the more subtle signs of life in this season - the tiny little crocuses and the green of all the evergreen trees."

    Love how you expressed that! And me too!

    Hope you're enjoying a fabulous weekend, my friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!

    X

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