Before waking, I dream of walking, just as it's getting light out, in the meadow. It's December, so I'm surprised to find a golden flower in bloom and stop to take a photo. It's growing close to the ground; I kneel and after snapping the photos fall fast asleep. I'm struggling to wake up, today I'm hosting a family holiday party and I have so much to do to get the food and the house ready. But still, in real life, I must get outdoors and take my walk for fresh air and photos in the frigid cold. The river is truly frozen and covered by a soft fresh layer of snow. No sign of any flowers in bloom, gold or otherwise. But when I reach the brook, I find the marvel of this wonderful blue whale swimming in the ice cold morning.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2017