The Warmth of Flames

11/23/2023

Hello, blog friends.

If you live in the U.S.A., I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. In Northern Arizona where I live, my husband and I enjoyed a feast with the fireplace blazing. It's gotten quite chilly here. Evenings dip below freezing, and the temps slowly rise to the high-forties in the afternoon. When the winds pick up, it's mighty cold.

I live at an elevation of 5,000 feet, and snow-capped mountains surround the area. The seasons are all distinct and beautiful. I mention this because writer Colleen Chesebro has sent forth an invitation to compose a poem focused on the current season - as experienced in our particular locale.

My contribution is a simple tanka (5-7-5-7-7). With my intro to this geographical area, I hope you'll have a special appreciation for what I try to convey in just a few words. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend and cuddle up! Winter is just around the corner. 😊

35 Comments

Dan Antion link

11/24/2023 05:15:20

Beautiful imagery, Gwen. I remember cold days spend in a house warmed by a healthy fire.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:53:25

Thank you, Dan. I share the memories. 😊

Jill Weatherholt link

11/24/2023 05:22:39

This is beautiful, Gwen. Such a cozy image. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. xo

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:54:08

Thanks so much, Jill. It was a lovely, quiet Thanksgiving. I hope yours was wonderful as well. ❤️

Annette Rochelle Aben

11/24/2023 05:31:40

love the imagery!

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:54:26

Thank you, Annette. 🤗

Marcia Meara link

11/24/2023 06:02:13

Beautiful, Gwen. I could feel the chill and see the frost! Perfect for your weather.

Yesterday, it was chilly here, too. We didn't turn on the a/c until after lunch. 😁 It's kind of nippy outside this morning, as well. At least for us. A mere 55 degrees, and predictions for a high of 66 or so. That's winter weather in Florida, and a wonderful break from the extended summer heat. As for our elevation, along the central ridge, Florida reaches about 345 feet. Someday, I'm gonna visit your part of the world and enjoy the amazing differences in our states.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:55:50

Thank you, Marcia. When you head my way, please let me know. I'd love to meet up and enjoy the mountains with you. ❤️

Priscilla Bettis link

11/24/2023 06:08:45

Fabulous tanka, Gwen. Enjoy the wintery beauty of your area!

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:56:51

Thanks so much, Priscilla. I love walking in the stillness. ❤️

John howell link

11/24/2023 06:21:10

You have created a cozy scene, Gwen. Well done.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:57:51

Thanks so much, John. It's that time of the year. 😊

Joan Hall link

11/24/2023 07:16:01

Winter is not my favorite season, but there is something to be said about cozying up to a fireplace on a cold winter night. And pets make it even more special.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:58:58

It's not my favorite either, Joan, but I love the silence and beauty -- especially if I'm toasty warm.

Yvette M Calleiro link

11/24/2023 08:01:21

I love it, Gwen! Such beautiful imagery!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 07:59:25

Thank you, Yvette. I'm so glad you liked it. ❤️

Colleen Chesebro link

11/24/2023 08:11:18

Gwen, this tanka is so lovely and atmospheric! I remember living in those mountains! It was cold! Happy Thanksgiving weekend, my friend.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 08:00:05

Thanks so much, Colleen. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving as well. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

11/24/2023 10:24:55

Thank you for capturing winter as you experience it. I love the cozy feeling I got from it.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 08:00:36

Thank you, Liz. I'm so pleased you liked it. 😊

Teagan Riordain Geneviene link

11/24/2023 11:48:13

I'm glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving, Gwen.
We're at 4300 ft in south-central NM, not in the mountains, but the surrounding Sacramento Mountains are at 7500 ft (though I haven't seen snow on them yet), and a particularly high peak nearly 10,000 ft. Most nights have been around freezing, with several dipping below. But highs have finally dropped into the 60s. I was afraid summer would never leave! Hugs on the wing.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 08:02:12

Thank you, Teagon. It's warmed up to 30 degrees outside, so it's definitely chilly in my world. 🤗

Karen Ingalls

11/25/2023 04:43:56

Your poem stirred up memories of cold and snowy days when I lived in MN. A roaring fire in the fireplace was comforting and warming to everyone...and our cat. Hope your Thanksgiving was a special one.

Gwen M. Plano

11/25/2023 08:03:41

Thank you, dear Karen. I can easily imagine the cold in MN. I hope you had a wonderful (and warm) Thanksgiving. ❤️

willowdot21 link

11/26/2023 08:22:33

Winter is beautiful if can stay in 💜💜 I am glad you had a Thanksgiving 💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

11/26/2023 13:04:41

Thank you, dear Willow. ❤️

Kerfe

11/26/2023 14:50:35

We lived in a few houses with fireplaces when I was growing up, and I always remember the cosy feeling.

Gwen M. Plano

11/26/2023 15:01:08

There's something special about a fireplace - especially this time of the year. 😊

ben Alexander link

11/27/2023 03:07:09

This is so warm, beautiful, and heartening, Gwen!

Much love,
David

Gwen M. Plano

11/27/2023 05:06:17

Thank you so much, David. ❤️

Robbie Cheadle

11/27/2023 07:13:30

This is a very cozy poem, Gwen. That is very cold weather for the end of November. It is so hot here now. John would say it's Hell's Kitchen.

Gwen M. Plano

11/27/2023 13:10:49

Thank you, Robbie. I grew up in "hell's kitchen" and experienced temps that would fry eggs, so I know what you are talking about. 😊 Now I live by Ponderosa Pines trees and rolling hills. It's never too hot, but it gets cold this time of the year.

[email protected] link

11/27/2023 17:35:58

Gwen, your tanka is an enjoyable read. The first 4 lines sound like a grand party and the last line the comfortable exhaustion after the guests have left.

D. Wallace Peach link

11/29/2023 12:07:45

Beautiful, Gwen. I could feel the cold outside and the warmth within. A lovely tanka for the season. Hugs.

Jules link

11/30/2023 15:34:34

We have a fireplace... but haven't used it in a while.
We were lucky that last month it wasn't too bad, but our lower level where the fireplace is has a chill (being half underground).

Maybe I can get hubby to put up a blaze this weekend.
Stay safe and warm!!

The Warmth of Flames

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