A Living Tapestry
Always, I appreciate the beauty of little snippets of description in other people’s writing,. To learn to paint pictures with words, not just actions and dialogue, has long been a goal of mine. I ask a favour. Please read the following, my update on God’s spectacular world, viewed through my new bay window. I’ve tried to paint a picture for you. Please let me know if you can see it. I would love to hear any recommendations for improvement.
This morning, my postage stamp back yard is alive. Last night’s snowfall renewed the frosting on the cedar soldiers that stand sentry along my back fence. Snow showers down as grey and black squirrels scamper back and forth from tree to fence, not quite reaching the tree-hung feeder. A rose-breasted grosbeak peaks out from the far side of the wrought-iron bird-feeder hanging from the eaves by my window. My eyes are drawn to the patterns embroidered on the snow by our resident rabbit, and the myriad of birds. My birdhouse church in its fuzzy snow blanket whispers the message of God’s love from its tree stump pulpit. Puffs of snow stir up tiny snow squalls with every bird’s landing. Thank you, God, for the blessing of this living tapestry that greets me every morning.
sharon
February 6, 2022 - 12:52 pm ·i think it’s beautiful just as it is, Jan. i love the phrases you use like “cedar soldiers” and the bird “peaks out” and the patterns “embroidered on the snow”..the “birdhouse church” and the “tree stump pulpit” says it all as do the “tiny snow squalls”. it reads easy and describes well..it reads like it just flowed out of you but i am sure it took hours of edits. well done!
Janet Stobie
February 6, 2022 - 10:20 pm ·Glad you liked it. Thanks for picking out the particular words and phrases. That helps. It feels good to stretch myself a little. I am definitely enjoying this course. It didn’t actually take hours but I did spend some time and do a few rewrites. I now need to be intentional about including description in my writing. I will try to remember not to overdo it as well. Love Janet
Janet Stobie
February 9, 2022 - 11:25 pm ·Thanks for the comment Francie. It was a fun exercise and I’ve loved the comments. They give me energy. Blessings Janet
Debbie
February 6, 2022 - 3:49 pm ·Very good descriptions, Jan, I especially love the “embroidery patterns” of the prints left by your visiting friends. So many small wonders to appreciate in every day scenes. Thank you
Janet Stobie
February 6, 2022 - 10:17 pm ·Hi Debbie, Glad you liked the description. All the patterns in the snow remind me of making snow angels when I was a child. I just received my new snow pants last week. Now I can make angels once again. Of course, I’ll bring Tom along to ensure that I can get back up again. It’s not the down it’s the up that seems to get harder every month. Blessings Janet
Ray
February 6, 2022 - 5:22 pm ·The picture you paint is very clear – it makes me want to try to capture something similar from my own window. It seems that our wildlife out here in the country is not quite so prolific as their city cousins in your back yard. I do need to remember that all of the coming and goings of birds, squirrels, and rabbit was not all happening simultaneously, or all the time. So when I am patient and add up our backyard experiences over time, it adds up to something much larger than an instant in time. Maybe a lesson for me here – for us (me) to be patient and look at, and savor, our blessings over time and not to be discouraged because magic is not happening right now, or all the time.
Janet Stobie
February 6, 2022 - 9:45 pm ·So very true Ray. It does take patience. I’ve learned that early mornings bring the most activity to our yard. It is sure worth the early rising. Thanks so much for your comment and your learning. Blessings Janet
Francie
February 9, 2022 - 1:53 pm ·Jan, I have just felt as though I stood beside you looking out your window as you pointed out all there was to see out there, in your ‘postage stamp yard’. Your writing is not only interesting and inspiring, but you have such a natural creativity with words! Descriptive, vivid, and sometimes humorous. I have always enjoyed reading descriptive writing so that I can feel a part of the scene presented. Now I look forward to reading what you have to say, even more than ever.