December 7: Element Water: Snow/Winter Wonderland
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”
– Aristotle
Featured Bloggers for Last Week
I am super grateful for all of you who visit and post each week. You bring me joy, I learn about the world far and near, and feel close to you and what you are doing in your lives.
- EKLASTIC – THE SCARY FACE BEHIND THE BURNT BUILDING
- KEEP IT ALIVE – NOT ABANDONED BUT SAVED FROM RUIN
- LOVING LIFE – THE STORIES THESE BUILDINGS COULD TELL!
- NOW AT HOME – THE DESERT SANDS TOOK OVER THE BUILDINGS!
- SECOND WIND LEISURE – SNOWY BUILDINGS, BUT NOT ABANDONED. IT’S TERRI’S BIRTHDAY!
- TRAVEL WITH ME – EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE IN BHAKTAPUR
- TRAVELS WITH ALI – ABANDONED BUILDINGS SO HIGH NEAR HONG KONG YOU WONDER HOW THEY GOT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
- WORDS VISUAL – EERIE RUINS IN MID WALES
Sorry I didn’t update this just before it came out! After dealing with the normal animal crises of the morning, I forgot.
For More Winter Wonderlands Visit These Blogs
- EKLASTIC – BURNING WITH SNOW
- LADY LEE – A WONDERLAND OF PHOTOS AND POEMS
- LOVING LIFE – YES, IT SNOWS IN WASHINGTON STATE!
- SECOND WIND LEISURE – THE JOY OF SNOWSHOEING
- MAMA CORMIER – BEAUTIFUL LIT SCULPTURES IN TORONTO
- KEEP IT ALIVE – SNOW POETRY AND PICTURES REMIND US OF THE POSITIVE SIDE OF WINTER
Logo Contest
Do you love quotes? Do you enjoy designing? WQW Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays is changing to WQ Wednesday Quotes in 2023. Check out the 2023 WQ Logo Designing Contest.
My Take on Snow
I’ve shared this photo several times over the ten years I’ve had my blog, but it is one of my favorite pictures from my dad’s collection of photos that I inherited. And it’s also one of the few I’ve digitized. Maybe that’s why it’s a favorite. 🙂
“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”
– Vista M. Kelly
“I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.”
– Mae West
Sometimes you must have a sense of humor to enjoy a snow drift.
“There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on.”
–Carol Rifka Brunt
Honoring My Friend Alice Fesperman
Saturday, I received a text that my dear friend had passed. At eighty-six, Alice Fesperman looked 50. She had been the welcoming smile of Woodlake Valley Middle School and Castle Rock Elementary where I taught. She was everyone’s best friend and wanted the best for all of us. Today I want to honor her on my blog. She was one of those unusual people who indeed made everything and everyone pretty, just by walking into her circle of love. She is and will continue to be missed.
“Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees, that one could easily imagine its reason for being nothing more than prettiness.”
Mary Oliver
The Real Alice in Wonderland
Like the beauty of newly fallen snow Creating a diamond paradise in pine needles Turning all she touched into dazzling beauty Wisps of glazed wonder. Alice lived the Wonderland of her own making. She loved God and everyone she met, and love drifted back Heaped high in the winter of her life. Crystalline youth sparkled in her eyes, her smile. Alice in Wonderland kept pristine by those who adored her Never a hair or word out of place Nails painted, floors waxed ready to welcome guests To her castle in the foothills of snow-drenched Sawtooth Mountain. Curating Wonderland, she shared the bounty of her work Cutting roses, encouraging students, keeping records straight Untiring, ready to serve - a bowl of soup, a slice of peach crumble Never spilling a drop, looking like a movie star from heaven. Embracing hugs, gentle kisses for friends and family First invited at every party, first to invite young teachers to tea A thoughtful gift, a kind note, the squeeze of her hand "You don't have to..." without rancor or guilt Alice Fesperman now in the Wonderland she deserves. © Marsha Ingrao 12-3-2022
“When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”
Chinese Proverb
My heart is broken, and my tears won’t stop.
Play Along with WQW
We are almost at the end of 2022, our second year of Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays. I hope you have a wonderful week. If you want to play along with Writer’s Quotes Wednesday, create a post about the topic of snow, ice, or winter, find a quote or quotes that you like, and link your post to my post.
Upcoming on Always Write
- December 14: Food: Delicious Delights
- December 21: Holiday: Christmas or Winter Solstice
- December 28: Reflections on 2022/Writer’s Choice/ or YOUR WOTY Review Voting for the top design for 2023.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
Lovely tribute to your friend Marsha.
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Thank you. She was a lovely person.
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great snowy post, Marsha 🙂
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2022/12/12/when-snow-falls-nature-listens/
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HiMarsha, here’s my post.
http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/12/12/frozen-landscapes-snow/
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Thanks, Sadje.
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My pleasure
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So sorry for your loss Marsha, she looked such a vibrant lady
I don’t have any recent snow photos and cant remember the last time I saw it!
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You poor baby! I’m moving next to you! It’s beautiful, but I prefer living where there is no snow! Thanks for your condolences, Ali. She was a love.
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😊
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First off, I’m so sorry about your friend Marsha. Sending hugs your way. Your poem to her is beautiful.
That picture of your dad and brother is awesome. Wow. I remember when I was younger and we’d drive up to the ski pass, the snow would be so high that people tunneled to their doors. I love your quotes too and other photos as well.
https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2022/12/putting-fingers-to-keyboardwqwtheme_8.html
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Thanks, Kirstin. It would be crazy to have to tunnel under the snow to get to your door!
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Hi Marsha, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. You wrote a beautiful tribute. Sorry, I have not been around much for the WQW challenge, I took part in Nano this year so my blogging time was very limited. Take care. KL ❤
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KL, I totally get it. NaNo takes a ton of time. Did you get your 50,000 words written? That’s a lot of blog posts! I have missed you, though! Thank you for your kind words. My friend Alice was adorable.
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I did! I had some writing friends who I wrote with this year, which really helped keep me on track. Now to get the other 30k written so that I finish my first draft of the novel – lol. Have you ever read a Mitch Albom book, Marsha? I’ve read the five people you meet in heaven, and the stranger in the lifeboat. They are fictional stories both of which deal with loss but they have such an uplifting story to them. I think you might enjoy them. KL ❤
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I haven’t read one. I’ll look it up. It might make a good gift for a friend, too. Thanks!
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Sorry about your friend, Marsha. I’m happy that you have so many wonderful memories of her and they’ll eventually help comfort you.
You know I love snow so I enjoyed this but that first shot made me laugh. The biggest, longest-lasting snow “drifts” are generally found in parking lots where they take on the consistency of glaciers and melt almost as slowly!
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Hi, Marsha – This is a beautiful tribute to your dear friend.
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Thanks, Donna. 😍😍
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You know how much we love seeing snow, because it never snows where we live. 🙂 Sad to hear about Alice, she will live on in your heart and your happy memories.
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We could trade houses in the winter!
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Love your Dad’s snowdrift, Marsha, and sorry for the loss of your friend. You paid a wonderful tribute to the lovely lady.
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Marsha, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. The poem you wrote was a beautiful tribute to a cherished friend, How lucky you are to have walked life with her, for just awhile. Allow yourself the tears, as you know, good for the soul. Your photos are so tranquil. Snow has a way of doing that. I love the Kelly quote about sticking together.
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Thanks, Donna. We have been lucky to know her. She was a breath of fresh air wherever she went – like newfallen snow.
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a perfect way to honor her here.
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Wow, that picture of the snow “drift” is amazing!
I’m so sorry about your friend’s passing. She looked like such a positive person and your poem is a lovely tribute. I hope you share it with others who knew her.
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Hi Janis, yes, it’s been shared. She was adorable and loved by all. 🙂
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I’m sorry about your friend. Nice poem in her memory.
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Thanks, Trent! She was an unbelievably wonderful person.
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Hi Marsha, I’ve never seen such a big pile of snow. Alice sounds like a wonderful person. Your poem is a beautiful tribute to her.
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Thanks, Robbie. She was such a wonderful person. Writing stemmed the tears. 🙂
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First of all, your snow pics are gorgeous, Marsha, and the one of your dad’s is astounding–that’s a lot of snow! Again, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. The poem you wrote about her is wonderful, and a real tear-jerker. Love the Chinese proverb. More snow will be added to our winter wonderland Thursday through Saturday. We already have 15 inches of accumulation! What’re 5 more inches? Not a math question, LOL!
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LOL 20??? minus the evaporation of a few millimeters. Yes, that was quite a snow. Sorry I missed it! (not!) We were living in Portland where the snow is wet and doesn’t stick too much. Randy must have been out there on a visit, although why he would want to visit in that weather, I don’t know. LOL I’m sorry, I’m forgetting about your 20 inches. Hmmm
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We’re not to 20 inches yet, but by the time this winter is over we shall see how much accumulates. Our weatherdude showed a chart that read average snowfall for Spokane area is 8 inches over the last 30 years, then compared to this “autumn” so far–19.1!!
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I liked Mae Wests quote!
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I did too. I love funny quotes.
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Hi Marsha,
What a lovely person your friend, Alice sounded! I’ m sure she will stay in many hearts. “Some friends leave calmer waters and are loved, but those who leave a few more ripples are loved even more.” I was also lucky to have a few like that…Love and Peace. xx
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Thank you, Joy. Yes, she left love ripples. 🙂 I’m sure we all have friends like that. You probably are one – at least you seem to be as far as I can tell. 🙂 Have a great day.
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It’s not often anymore that we see snow like this … *sigh
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Are you complaining, Elke? It’s great when you are still in school and want a day off! BTW, I’m sorry I forgot to post all the links in this post. I’ve corrected it now. 🙂
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I like snow!!
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A little goes a long way in my book!
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