26 August 2012

new year | new beginning

Change of Seasons
Vineyard in Province of Vicenza

One of my favorite things about the paese is that we experience the wonder of all four seasons here; nowhere is this more evident than in the vineyards that surround us. In the next few weeks the grapes will be harvested and the rich green leaves will change to the colors of a golden sunset before leaving the vines naked for the winter. After a long cold and foggy winter when the vines will appear frozen and dead,  the paese will explode with cherry and apricot blossoms, quite a while before I notice the new growth on the vines. Eventually, though, I will notice, and when I do, I will be filled with hope because of the potential of a new beginning as promised by Mother Nature. I believe that living in a place like this is good for my soul. I truly do.
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Tomorrow marks my seventeenth first day of school as an educator. I am filled with hope and ready for a new beginning.





10 comments:

  1. Beautiful words...You are blessed to be in such a place to marvel at Gods work...
    and I love the new blog header...keep it!

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    1. Liz,
      It is quite magnificent and I (all of us, really) am grateful to be in this beautiful place. I took the photo today while out on a bike ride with Young One. This image caught my eye bc of the one leaf turning a bit early ... a perfect preview of things to come pretty soon!
      I'm glad you like it!
      D

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  2. I always feel the same way, Dana... I always marvel at the beauty of Creation... A domani, M

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    1. Are we sisters sisters separated at birth? Lol. It WILL be a good day, a great year!

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  3. What a beautiful picture! One can only imagine how wonderful it is to live there. Tomorrow begins my seventeenth first day as an educator as well. I am leaving elementary school and moving up to middle school. I have to admit I am abit nervous, but like you also filled with hope in this new beginning. All the best to us both for a new school year!

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    1. Ohhh....I'd be entirely nervous, too. I dont even have big changes on the horizon this year, and I'm just a bit nervous today, too. I don't think I'll ever manage to shake first-day butterflies.
      D

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  4. hope it was a 'fruitful' week...mine felt good. :)

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  5. I agree. Watching nature's rebirth happen year after year is rejuvenating to me. I hope you had a good first day back!

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  6. Wishing you a sucessful school year! The photo is lovely! My grandpa used to grow these type of grapes in California. I can almost taste them.

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