A Backward Glance, in Black & White …

A // W // F

The New Year comes in cold:  the air brittle and white.  Empty.

And perhaps it sounds strange, but for now, I like the emptiness, and I’m in no hurry to fill it.  

My friends rush back and forth announcing resolutions — buying sneakers and juicers and gym memberships.  And hear me:  those things are beautiful, too. This week, though, I don’t want to make too many commitments, or hammer my goals into hard-edged words.  Instead, I want to sit still and quiet and let the lingering gratitude for 2015 sink into me.  

I want to understand where I came from — the hard and the messy and the frightening and the beautiful — so I can know what comes next.

So for now, as I spend this week in quiet contemplation, I thought I would share with you a few favorite snapshots from the previous year:  a quiet look back, in black and white:

 

riverstones3

windrock5

windrock1

green2

garstmill4

elmwood4

windrock7

mountainview3

thirty4

thirty30

florida7

florida2

florida9

florida12

florida18

IMG_7771-0

morninglight

potomaccreek1

potomaccreek4

afterthestorm

water

cobweb

image

spiderweb9

light3

dayfive

sweater

Much love to you, friends.  I’m believing that the best sort of magic is ahead, for us both. ❤

 

 

 

 

34 Comments

    1. Oh Miriam, thank you … Peace, calm and nostalgia … Can’t think of better qualities to have shared with you today.

      Here’s hoping your new year is full of the kind gentleness you always display here.

      Thank you. ❤

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    1. Well, thank you. I think it’ll always form the core of my aesthetic, but after all the visual overstimulation of Christmas, I’m very much appreciate the palette cleanse of monochrome images. 🙂

      Hope you’re well today!

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  6. (as I was saying before my keyboard mishap so rudely interrupted me,) merry new year! I love that those photographs show how light manages to find its way into every corner and space imaginable (much like sand, but in a far less pesky way – unless you’re trying to take an afternoon nap). wishing you a year worth living, and hopefully one of much joy and light. ❤

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    1. I can’t think of a kinder thing for you to say about my photos, because it’s this exact quality — the way light pushes in everywhere, to every place — that makes me happiest when I’m behind the lens.

      In fact, I have a photo I’ve been meaning to share that demonstrated that idea exactly.

      Thank you for being here, Clara … Wishing you much light this year! 🙂

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  8. Skipping January doesn’t sound so good now because that’s like skipping time/life, I’m not in a rush to get older! Haha, I don’t know why I dislike the month so much except it’s cold and I miss the bright sun, I think I get SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) however I refuse to visit a doctor to have them tell me so and then push antidepressants (no offense) I actually wanted to be a Psychologist/Psychiatrist 20 years ago! Anyhow, I’m just a summer girl I guess and love being outdoors, but I don’t want to be outdoors in the cold. Thanks for asking, I’m going to try and engage in WP more this 2016, now that I don’t have to do it on my phone, actually have a real laptop! And I love journaling and reading blogs and I should make more time for what I love…I love creating things and it’s my priority….I’m pretty much making something in any spare hour I find! Have a great rest of the week.

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    1. What a great response!!

      I’m just like you in January — I’m a summer girl through and through, and I also get the winter blues in a very big way every year.

      No one can tell you what’s best for you … But I will mention that last year I began going out (even in the bitter cold) throughout the winter months, shooting photos and hiking. I invested in a giant down jacket, Sherpa-lined snow boots and smartphone compatible gloves. And honestly — the sunshine and the creative outlet made a huge difference for me.

      You may have scrolled through my Secret Messages project at some point — that was very much birthed out of my January misery, and it became such a beautiful silver lining to what is typically a difficult month for me.

      Wishing you warmth, color and joy this winter. Keep creating!! 🙂

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  12. Lovely lovely. Wish you a peaceful time of contemplation. Sorry to have been so remote lately. I have been absorbed by working on my new site. I’ll invite you in when it’s launched. Looove your pics, they are so tranquil and thoughtful.

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