Season’s Favorite Blogging Challenge ~ WINTER
I am not a winter lover … never have been and never will be (I suspect) . I love the sun ! So my response to the winter challenge may reflect negative associations such as cold , bleak , death , desertion , loss … shadows as opposed to sunshine … The Shadow of your Smile has been performed by many greats such as legendary songbirds Astrud Gilberto and Barbara Streisand . I've chosen the version by 2007 Idols contestant Carly Smithson .
When you are gone
Will color all my dreams
And light the dawn
Look into my eyes, my love, and see
All the lovely things you are to me
A wistful little star
Was far too high
A tear drop kissed your lips and so did I
Now when I remember spring
All the joy that love can bring
I will be remembering
The shadow of your smile
Now when I remember spring
All the love that joy can bring
I will be remembering
The shadow of your smile…
~WORD~
The word desolation captures the utter despair , isolation , depression associated with the negativity …
~ANIMAL~
I love the cuddly image of the panda bear …
~FLOWER~
The KZN strelitzia flourishes in my province during the winter months …
~QUOTE~
Whilst this is not one of my favourite winter quotes , I have chosen it to re-inforce the fact that winter is transient … it too will pass … for everything there is a season …
"We cling to our point of view , as though everything depended on it . Yet our opinions have no permanence ; like autumn and winter they gradually pass away" ~ Zhuangzi
~POEM~
DEATH BE NOT PROUD BY JOHN DONNE
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
~MOVIE~
The spectacular visuals in the wintry fantasy world of Narnia …
~BOOK~
Wuthering Heights with its Gothic characteristics which focuses on dark , mysterious events … and famous for its dark , stormy , twisted moors …
~FOOD~
The famous Durban "quarter mutton bunny chow" . The centre portion of the bread is cut out , the bread is filled with curry and the filling is capped with the portion that was cut out .
~TOWN~
For me it has to be Paris … any time of the year will do …
~IMAGE~
… need I say more … ?
Thank you to Blaga for this awesome challenge !
Check out the Seasons Favorite Blogging Challenge at http://brokensparkles.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/seasons-favorite-challenge/
I love sunshine, too, but I love the cool air winter brings. Nice blog post! Happy Sunday!
Thanks Shelly , cool air is definitely welcome as it helps to break the intense humidity !
I can understand most people's views on winter, it can be a very depressing time. I like this challenge because it's interesting to see how people associate their emotions with each different season; my views on autumn are similar to your views on winter (except autumn is my favourite season haha). I guess I'm just a bit morbid haha.
Narnia is a great winter movie, I totally forgot about that – good choice! And the food looks… interesting to say the least, it probably tastes a bit better than the image would lead me to believe.
The food is very tasty … the filling is normally a chicken/mutton/vegetable curry and you eat it with your hands ! 🙂
I associate winter and death, too. And that dish looks yummy. I will be mostly off-line till a week from today (the funeral was delayed) and when I return and catch up will be in touch with interview questions. Have a happy week. BTW–the image is perfect!
The dish is v-e-r-y yummy ! Will be in touch when you return ! Have a safe journey !
nice and cozy sights and sounds for winter =)
Thanks for taking the time to peruse my winter selection ! 🙂
I agree with you on your thoughts about winter! The cold especially makes me think of not so good things. Though sometimes in the snow there is a certain beauty, but I'm a typical summer girl and I love summer and the sun. Lovely collection Mish! Thanks for linking again with the challenge, much appreciated! Regards and wishes for a happy new week!
It has been a pleasure Blaga ! I’ve really enjoyed the challenge … it has forced me to analyse each season , what it means to me and the reason for choosing the items that I have …
I’m also a typical summer girl who loves the sun ! Enjoy the rest of your week !
Regarding your question about the last post of the challenge- All time favorite- the same like the seasons but just favorites not connected to any season, but what you like and adore the most at any time of year … something like a free post.
Thanks for the info Blaga !
I can completely understand the negativity and depression associated with winter. I really liked your choice of quote and although I'm a little unsure as to whether the food would be good, I imagine it probably tastes a LOT better than it appears – it SOUNDS like it might be yummy, but I've never tried it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your favorites with us!
Thanks for taking the time to check out my winter selection . I assure you that the food is delicious , especially if you’re a lover of hot food !
this is fantastic,
panda is one of my son's favorite animals,
paris is fabulous city, yes.
your poems are superb…you have beautiful talents on poetry and fiction, keep it up.
Thank you Ji …. you are too kind ! 🙂