photovent 2010, day 21: listen

"The more faithfully you listen to the voices within you, the better you will hear what is sounding outside."

~ Dag Hammarskjold

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Less than a week before Christmas, and today's high is expected to be 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  On Friday night, the temperature was at the freezing mark.

As a result, all the vegetation around our house is highly confused.  Plants are growing and showing new shoots, while their leaves are turning the brightest fall colours of yellows and reds and golds I've ever seen in Texas (because here in Texas, the foliage doesn't generally turn).  Even Marcus' cactus-like plant on our windowsill has started flowering...

... while at the same time, we've brought many of our outdoor potted plants indoors, because the nighttime freezes could kill them.

It's like the weather doesn't know which way is up.

In fact, I sort of know exactly how it feels.

So this week, as Christmas approaches, I'm going to spend a little extra time being still, and listening to what it is Alex and Marcus and I need.  It feels like it's time to start being quieter, in anticipation of the celebration to come, you know?

Here's wishing you a week filled with moments of stillness.  You deserve it.

Update:  Haya, in the comments below, kindly informed me that this is a Christmas cactus -- in which case, it's blooming right on schedule!  Thanks Haya!

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The image at the top of this post is the 21st image of Photovent 2010.  You can download the pdf for here.  And click here to learn how to use it to assemble a beautifully different photo garland.  The second photo was taken with the Nikon D700 that Nikon so kindly lent me, and my 60mm micro lens.  And incidentally, if you were wondering which of the photos on the previous post were taken with the Nikon D300 or the Nikon D700, I've updated the post with the answer.  Go check it out.

Song:  The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth, as performed by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.  This is my favourite song of the season --  I remember being completely blown away by it watching it on MTV when I was a kid. I finally heard for the first time this year on Friday -- so now, it's officially Christmas.