1-31-2021 Polar Vortex on Its Way

The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It ALWAYS exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter. The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream (see graphic above). This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States.

(source:https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-polar-vortex)

We got several inches of ice last night

which are now topped with several inches of now this morning.

And some snowmen from last week:

1-30-2021 Welcome Gratitude

Welcoming a new oracle deck to my 'collection'...

(from one of my favorite artists!)

perfect timing for Mercury in retrograde with Aquarius!!!

1-29-2021 Happy Birthday!

Happy 7th birthday dear GD!!!

1-28-2021 WOLF Full Moon

Throw-back Thursday...

Tonight is the first full moon of the new year 2021...

January's full moon is called the WOLF full moon

because this is the time of year that wolves are the noisiest with their howling.

It is because January is usually the coldest month of winter, as well as the snowiest month of winter, which makes finding food most difficult for the wolves. So, when one of them finds some prey, they 'call' to the others in their pack or area, to notify them that they have found food, and call for backup to surround and hunt it together as a pack. They also howl to mark their territory and keep other packs at bay. And finally, they howl because it is mating season...so pups can be born in the spring. This is what my sources said as to why the wolves are most vocal in January.

Here is my paintings from Jan. 2020

that I sent to my sweet grandsons 

of the WOLF full moon:

This WOLF full moon of 2021

has given me great gift

for which I am extremely grateful...

a new lease on life!

I feel like howling at the moon too!

1-27-2021 Very Strange!

Yesterday, 

when DH and I 

were going for our daily walk 

around the neighborhood,

we saw a very unusual sight indeed...

a flock of about 40 robins on the ground and in a tree

in our neighbor's yard...

in the middle of January...

in the middle of a snow storm...

with temps in the teens...

in Iowa.

Very UNUSUAL... very STRANGE!

(I didn't have my phone with me to take a pix

so I'm borrowing this one from the www...

( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/more-robins-are-sticking-around-in-winter/ )

Also unusual...

I had just listened to a lecture by Steven Farmer

on the "Animal Oracle Cards Summit" that morning

about how animals can be 'spirit guides'...

or guide our spirits...

when they show up unexpectedly

(which these Robins did!)

or when they exhibit unusual behavior

(which these Robins did!)

or when they show up repeatedly 

over a brief period of time.

So I got to thinking,

how can this unusual sighting of Robins

in the dead of winter in Iowa in a snowstorm

guide my spirit?

Well, first off,

it's past time to move on 

(emotionally, from childhood trauma)

and if I stay where I am now

it will be to my own peril/detriment.

Secondly, 

Robins are typically "Spring" birds,

so that makes me think of new beginnings and growth.

So, this added to the first thought...

It's time to move on to something new, and grow.

Thirdly,

Robins are a songbird,

always singing the song in their heart.

So as I move on to something new and grow,

do it with a song in my heart

and with music

(Native American Flute?).

Lastly,

I love watching Robins in the Spring

as they turn their heads and listen and observe

where to find the next juicy worm or bug.

They excel at listening and observing

to what is around them

and they are very patient and persistent

in their deep listening!

(another pix from the www)

So,

dear Robin Spirit Guides,

thank you for your message to me

about moving on to something new

with a joyful song in my heart

and being patient, persistent

and a good listener!

1-26-2021 Vision Board for 2021

 

1-25-2021 Greater Love

I needed a small project after working for so long on my 

Slipstravaganza Shawl!!

1-24-2021 Slipstravaganza Leftovers

Today I used my bits of leftover yarns 

from my Slipstravaganza Shawl

to make a double thick headband/ear warmer...

1-23-2021 Slipstravaganze Finished!

Slipstravaganza...

I consider it a 'work of art!'

Washed it this morning 

and now it is pinned out and drying!

1-22-2021 Horses

In my WC journal...

... 9x12" ...

... 5x7" for a friend ...

...to be continued...

1-21-2021 Lifted

An oppressive weight has been lifted...

I feel like I can breathe again.

1-20-2021 Duets

I love playing music duets

with my DH

on our Native American Style Flutes!

Beautiful listening, duality and harmony.

1-19-2021 Vision Board

Vision Boards...

I've never made one before...

want to learn what they are all about...

so I'm taking/doing this 7 day Vision Board Challenge!

__________________________

Day 1 assignment:

Create a VB...

put a border on it...

place a circle in the center...

that represents your relationship with spirit.

Pink border: compassion, kindness

Butterflies: transformation

Circle: OM, the breath/spirit of God.

Outer circle: humanity, all four 'races' of humans.