25 Comments

Your winter climate in Belgium must very different from mine in temperature and water. In western Nevada, there is winter wheat waiting underground to pop up in early spring for summer cuttings. Other than that, all plants are dormant now, with seeds for the birds and summer's growth for the browsing deer and wild horses. Dried grasses also feed the horses who hide from winter winds in the back country hills. There are springs of water bubbling into ponds for them and other wildlife to drink. But I'm surprised that you have flowering plants that thrive in cold temperatures. About the only things that are popping out in the months to come are calves. Some have even arrived this week. In Carson Valley, we have the Eagles and Ag Festival Feb 8 - 12. Photographers love this time because during the calving season in February, the bald eagles migrate through and feast on the afterbirths in the patures. It's warm enough here where the calves are born in the fields rather than taken to calving sheds as in the northern states. like Montana. Brrrr! I can't imagine how they survive. Your drawings and information today really opened my eyes to nature elsewhere. Thank you. And I hope your and Eva,Elena and Jose are thriving this winter as well.

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What a beautiful and evocative picture of winter in Nevada, Sue -- I especially loved reading about calving season and the bald eagles it brings to your corner of the world, that’s fascinating to learn about. Thanks so much for sharing that, and for your kind words as well! 🤍🙏

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The elk, quail, eagles, deer and other creatures who hide in the night are coming down from the mountains into our valley. They are our winter blossoms.

And speaking of creatures in the night, my New Year’s wish for you is 8 hours of solid sleep at least two nights a week. Yes, even dads know a little bit about unrelenting sleeplessness, especially this dad, who once had jet lag for ten years in a row.

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I love the idea of those mountain creatures being your winter blossoms, Switter, and I can absolutely imagine how they’d bring the same sense of wonder and awe to your days (and nights). Thanks so much for sharing about them, and for your well wishes for this sleepless season as well -- we’ll need them! 😅🙏

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Get used to the sleepless, because it’s forever. They never cease to be our children and we never cease to worry about them. Then a strange thing happens. They begin to worry about us. They call to make sure we made it home safely and worry if we don’t answer their calls. In a way, it’s cosmic justice.

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There is a gentleness in your illustrations that I love. It's a beautiful characteristic.

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Thank you, June! That means so much to hear 🤍🙏

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You're welcome.

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Congratulations! A new life is always a blessing. I hadn’t thought about flowers that bloom in the winter before. Seems no matter the time of the year, life finds a way.

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“No matter the time of year, life finds a way.” That’s such a beautiful thought, Sharon -- thanks so much for sharing that, and for your kind words as well! 🤍

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It's summer over here, but since I'm always nostalgic for winter at this time of year I'm so enjoying immersing in all the winter-themed writing here on Substack 🩵

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Yes! I felt the same way every summer in Uruguay, and I’m so glad I could send some wintry vibes your way this week, Vicki ❄️🤍

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Just beautiful! Also I’ve been offline and missed this news so a HUGE congratulations on the arrival of Eva Grace. Very exciting!

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Ahh thank you so much, Amanda!! I hope you’ve been so well, and that the new year is off to a wonderful start for you so far 🤍

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These are all lovely, and I think from where you are located. You might like to paint the winter-flowering plum blossoms. Very meaningful in Chinese symbolism and literature.

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Thank you so much, Joy, and thank you especially for sharing about plum blossoms. I just looked them up and read that “the plum blossom...is a symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum blossoms often bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow.” I might have to do a sequel to the essay just to include them in it, I love what they symbolize 😊🌸🤍

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You are welcome. I too, love what it stands for, something we all need, especially now.

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Congratulations on becoming a family of four!

Beautiful work and beautiful thoughts. I dread winter so it takes some effort to put a positive spin on the season but how to "bloom in winter" is a good question to think about it.

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Thank you so much, Aimee! And please know I so hear you -- we’re navigating our first winter in Belgium, which is promising to be quite long and gray and wet 😅 so the idea of blooming in the winter is one I’ll be holding onto closely myself these next few months. I’ll be hoping that unexpected moments of color, warmth, and inspiration find their way to you this winter! 🤍🙏

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Beautiful, Candace! What a lovely image. I love finding color in winter - like the red berries that hang on for the birds long after the leaves have dropped off.

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Thank you so much, Julie -- and yes! As soon as we decided on the idea of flowers (or plants) that bloom in the winter, I knew I’d have to paint a branch of bright red berries for the story 😊 I’m so glad they’re a favorite image of the season for you, too.

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Lovely

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Thank you, Nalini!

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Beautiful, as always! Now I will be more on the lookout for things that bloom in the winter. I love that imagery.

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:) Similarly, here in our Maine wild orchard, the apple trees need a certain number of cold hours to bear fruit. Without a nice cold winter, there will be no summer apple blossoms, no fall apples :) It’s a beautiful theme you’ve discovered!

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