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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The quiet beauty of January



It feels to me that time passes slowly in January. 
I enjoy the stillness of the house and the unhurried pace of life when the holiday season is over.


Do you see loneliness in the bone structure?
Leafless trees show unrestrained beauty stretching into the sky.


  The earth's blue eye is laughing in the sun.


Ducks swim very calm or don't move at all as if frozen.



Withered roses
Withered plants are clad with metallic radiance.


Tranquility is palpable in the cold.




While mostly quiet in colors, 
still there are leaves and berries that have survived from the last autumn.


Though it is in the middle of winter, the shortest day passed and the days are getting longer.  
There's no such time like winter when I long for sunlight of which warmth infuses itself
 into my heart and body.

睡蓮池, Water Lilies pond




Last but not least,
may we live in peace with hope, courage, good health, and lots of smiles, throughout the year.
Look forward to seeing/reading the lovely stories of your own in your new pages of 2015 blog, 
my dear Friends.


- This post is linked to Our World Tuesday. -

39 comments:

  1. Yokoさん 新年おめでとうございます。
    冬の水辺に自分の老い?姿を映して佇む草花、澄んだ青空に 枯葉を残した梢を伸ばす木々。
    皆、美しい日々がこれで終わりではなく、これから命溢れる未来がある事を知っているようで愛おしくなります。
    そんな優しい眼差しで、彼らをとらえる心をお持ちで 見事だと思います。

    今年も、相変わらず変なブログでお騒がせするかもしれませんが、どうぞよろしくお願い致します。

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  2. Winter is the time for blossoms to rest and for people to seek warm cozy places from the cold. There is artistry in the pictures and poetry in the thoughts reminiscent of a melancholy video I once saw called January In Japan. :)

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  3. "Stardust English Talk" has been included in our Sites To See #427. Be assured that we hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2015/01/sites-to-see-427.html

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  4. I always find January and February the longest months of the year as I anticipate and wait for the arrival of spring bringing with it warmer gentler months. You have reminded us that it is important to reflect, look around, and enjoy this quiet period whilst we wait and appreciate what is around us now. It is clear for all to see in the beauty of your photos and words.

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  5. Very real beauty...and often at this time of year you can have that beauty all to yourself, as everyone else is home by the fire. Wishing you a peaceful and happy new year.

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  6. You do have a way with words, Yoko. You also have a way with photography. And this post is a wonderful blend of the two. Actually, your words comprise a very beautiful poem, capturing well the essence of midwinter and it's rather stark beauty. Your photographs, as usual, are superb!

    And thanks for your good wishes. I have appreciated so much your comments and support over the past few months and want to wish for you a most wonderful New Year, filled with joy, discovery, enlightenment, success, good health, and peace in your heart!

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  7. what a lovely post. I like the low winter light of winter as well. Everything is quieter and restful.

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  8. Winter views, but beautiful. They nawt colors and a nice shades. Regards.

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  9. pure poetry and beauty. i love the browns and blues of winter, too.

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  10. Beautiful pictures and words...You have the talent to see the beauty everywhere and share it with us... Thank you !
    Anna

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  11. こんばんは。相変わらずの美しい写真ですね。 身近な世界に美を見つける事は素敵です。

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  12. Beautiful post all around, your photos are stunning.

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  13. A tranquil and restful post. Everything is resting. I liked all your photos but my favourite was the pine needles floating in the water. Against the blue sky reflection they give an impression that is almost feathery and optimistic, and yet they are also too spiky to be feathers. Just the right look for a sunny, but not frosty, winter day!

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  14. I love that last photo of the pond reflection.

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  15. You absolutely capture the peace and tranquility in each of your photos. Very relaxing!

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  16. A feast for the eyes and spirit. I have some radiant seed sages today too. http://looseleafnotes.com

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  17. Wonderful pictures and words about my month. I was born in January and I feel all you feel about it.Thanks for sharing beauty and peaceful moments.
    Best wishes for New Year!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  18. 冬枯れのものを美しいとしてとらえ、映す心は、いままでの私には育っていなかったように思います。Yokoさんのブログに接してから気づき始めたように思います。言葉も写真もmagicalです。
    今年もブログ楽しみにしています。

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  19. Dear Yoko,

    I just discovered your blog via Our World Tuesday and I must say I will put it on my reading list! I just love your pictures, the show such a relaxing stillness and such a beautiful light!

    By the way, I really love and I am fascinated about Japan, even if I've never been there. I can't really explain why, but I tried it anyway in one of my blogposts, if you like to read: http://www.miss-red-fox.de/2014/10/faszination-japan.html and here I have another one: http://www.miss-red-fox.de/2014/12/tourist-in-japan-um-1900-eine.html

    Have a very happy New Year with luck and health and laugh!

    Ioana

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  20. あけましておめでとうございます。

    二枚目の撮影は木立と青空、白い雲の色が織り成す層のような、模様のような感じがして、私の好みです。
    それに、解像感がひしひしと伝わってきます。 一眼レフを使いこなされているのだと思います。 

    今年も、すばらしい写真が楽しみです。 よろしくお願いいたします。

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  21. I am delighted with your post.
    It is very beautiful.
    The photos are excellent.
    Greetings from Polish.
    Lucia

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  22. Your photos reflect the quiet beauty that is winter.

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  23. Dear friend,
    It’s been many moons I’ve watched and thought you’ll be seeing later on, since I last stopped by and dropped you a few lines… I missed you very much but I’m sure (it’s just a feeling I can’t explain) that what I had in my mind in those moments had somehow reached you. I missed the feeling I always have coming here, the feeling that the world can really be a beautiful and peaceful place, the feeling that kindness is not only a possibility but a certainty, a reality.
    My life has changed very much during this last year so there was no time to keep blogging – I now live to the countryside where the internet connection is… decent but extremely slow, and most of the times it works and it allows me to post something, the amount of daily chorus leaves me with an empty mind and a very tired body in the evening!...Nevertheless, the few spare moments I had to visit your world, I enjoyed seeing your grandchildren growing so beautifully and I saddened reading about your mother... I have only admiration and great respect for the wisdom and life’s deep understanding you showed even in the most difficult moments!
    I do endorse your reflections for the year we just started and hope to be a peaceful one for everybody with life lived to the fullest in good health, with strength and courage for what it is to come! See you soon and take good care of yourself!

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  24. Your January photographs are delightful. Such a cold month here, today is is -15C and yesterday it was -20C! I wish you and your family health and happiness for the new year 2015.

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  25. I have just stumbled across your blog and was blown away by your photography. Stunning! Have a wonderful 2015!

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  26. I love the title :) And I totally get what you mean about that certain quiet in your home after all the holiday get-togethers are over. It's like the Christmas dust settling down but it's still a part of the beauty of the holidays :)

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  27. Wonderful and inspiring photos. Have a Happy New Yar.
    Greetings from Poland.

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  28. ❤ه° ·.
    Amei a primeira foto... tão linda!!!
    Essas fotos são a certeza da renovação que se aproxima na próxima estação.

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.✿ه° ·.
    ✿✿⊱ه° ·.

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  29. Your posts always exude tranquillity, Yoko. Just lovely! I too long for the sun, and wish you peace for the rest of the winter.

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  30. Happy New Year, dear Yoko!
    The quiet beauty of January could have been my current post title, too! That's exactly what my wife and I tried to find at the turn of the year: peace and freedom. Unfortunately many other people around the world have different plans... ;-(
    So I enjoyed your great photographs full of peace - and quiet beauty!
    All the best for 2015 for you and your loved ones...
    Uwe.

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  31. This is a very poetic post! I love it! The photographs are spectacular! Thank you for your thoughtful prayer in the end.

    いつも暖かなコメントありがとうございます。 健康で良い年を迎えてください。

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  32. So lovely pictures and with those beautiful words you write I get peace of body.
    Happy New Year and
    hugs fom Norway
    Nordis

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  33. Tenha um maravilhoso dia!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.
    ˚ه❀❀ミ

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  34. Stardust! you have such a beautiful way of capturing our world and offering insight with words.
    I enjoyed each image leaned in to take each to heart. Thank you so much.

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  35. Dear Yoko! Your poetic manner and brilliant pictures are as good as ever. But you know what? Your writing is becoming more and more perfect, I revel in the choice of words! Unrestrained beauty about leafless trees testify your sharp eye and a feeling for language.
    Thank you so much for the wishes! Let 2015 be peaceful, healthy and prolific for you!
    With sincere wishes,
    Irina

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  36. The smallest things become big with your explanations. Thank you for that.

    Best wishes
    aelva.

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  37. Oh wow! You just keep getting better and better. The photos are magnificent and your commentary is sheer poetry and you have captured so well the laconic feel of this time of year. I must say, too, you command of the English language is a joy to behold...one of my favorite words is "palpable," and it fits perfectly in that description.

    The 2nd from last photo is excruciatingly beautiful!

    And thank you for your kind comment on Creative Confections. My dear wife thinks I get too dark sometimes but it's pretty dark "out there" these days. I hope that all is well with you and 2015 is going to be your best year ever!

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  38. Hello Yoko, I enjoy the subtle colors of winter. The seed heads and skeleton trees provide restrained drama. Winter is restful and calm there in Nara. I like walking with you. I'm in Denver for a few days - the urban atmoshere is a nice change from our quiet mountain existance.

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