A Year Of Creativity #21: Magic In A Bird Bath

Reason number 86 of why I love winter. 

During the months when walking the trails on our property can be done with a light jacket, a sweatshirt or a t-shirt (braving the mosquitoes and insects that swoop down as soon as you enter the shelter of the woods ...) you are left to wonder what bird or animal has gone before you. Unless you happen upon them or they leave a track or scat ... you can only speculate.

If you enjoy upland bird hunting in northern Wisconsin, you look forward to those mornings when the scent of grouse and woodcock is carried on the cool crisp air to your favorite hunting companion. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, it is a thing of beauty to watch a cocker working the cover, gathering in the scent of all the creatures, searching for The One that will lead him/her to the ultimate goal.

Head out to those same trails when they are snow covered and you will see what is hidden from your view during the warm and green time of the year that everyone seems to yearn for. The meandering tracks of a mouse, the purposeful track of a deer, the imprint in the snow of a Ruffed Grouse landing in the snow ... it's as if nature is rewarding you for venturing out in the cold by sharing some of her secrets.

It's the reason I chose frost as my creative moment of the day: water vapor, invisible under any other circumstances until the temperature reaches that certain number and as if by magic, crystal one-of-a-kind shapes appear and cling together. Magic. Even in a bird bath.

"Magic In A Bird Bath." Digital image. January 21, 2013. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Brothers. Nephews. Sister. Aunt.

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.

~ Joyce Brothers

"Brothers. Nephews. Sister. Aunt." Digital Image. Undated. Original photograph privately

held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year of Creativity #09: They Just Fade Away

As I stepped out of the car ... there it was. Abandoned and forgotten. Whatever bright color it had once been, it now perfectly matched the pavement.

I wondered if it faded away out of loneliness for its mate. Did it have a mate or was it an orphan time traveler that one day was put into a washer only to travel through space into another dimension.

The parking lot at Kohl's.

It seems rather fitting (pardon the pun) that today's creative moment presented itself while I was hurrying to buy .....

socks.

Life is funny like that sometimes.

"They Just Fade Away." Digital Image. January 9, 2013. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year Of Creativity #07: Christmas Past

The family Christmas tree that sparkled and shimmered during the Christmas season is finding new life, not as compost around the village of Plover but as a resting place for the birds who visit the "sauna" and bird feeders on our back deck. I've spent most of today packing away Christmas decorations including the Dept 56 villages. After countless trips past the window I finally decided the Fraser replanted on the deck was my creative moment for the day.

While it doesn't have the heady aromatic sensation of a balsam, if you bruise the needles the sensation is the same. After the busy-ness of the Christmas and New Year season, I'm reminded that now is the time to take a breath, relax and enjoy the winter season. After the color, sound and smells of the past six weeks - a return to the simple and uncluttered is just what I need.

"Christmas Past." Digital Image. January 7, 2013. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year of Creativity #06: Namesake and Heirlooms

Thirty-four years ago we welcomed son Benjamin Earle into the world. Arriving on the Day of Kings it was a frigid, brilliant day in western Wisconsin.  Selecting a name for your child is always serious business (unless your parents name you Unit, Moonbeam or Hashtag). We kept our selection a shared secret - I've always been envious of Al's informing my parents their new grandson, Benjamin Earle, had joined the family. I'm sure it came as a surprise - 

I've written several posts about my uncle Earle Clair Bergeron and the connection I've always felt with him even though he died 11 years before I was born. We could not have chosen a better person to carry Earle's name.

My creative expression today celebrates Ben and Earle ... the blanket was crocheted by Ben's great-great aunt Leona Polar Belott. The hat is one that Earle wore as a baby, it was kept safe by Earle's mother's sister and given to me following the death of my aunt. The baby bracelet was Ben's first piece of jewelry.

P.S. In honor of Ben's birthday I've skipped day 5 of creativity - Ben deserves two days!

"Namesake and Heirlooms." Digital Image. January 6, 2013. Original photograph privately held 

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year Of Creativity #04: Winter Sentinel

For as long as I can remember, this pine tree has been standing guard in the field across the road from my grandparents farm. Through the years it has offered shade to generations of cows, home to hundreds of birds, a perch for hawks and eagles. Visiting the standing stones in England and in Orkney reminded me of this lone tree "back home." I think winter is when the tree shows its strength and beauty.

"Winter Sentinel." January 4, 2013. Original photograph privately held by 

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year Of Creativity #03: Frozen Light

"One small sunbeam that keeps to itself will never give much light; 

but if it shares, and shines through a prism, it makes many rainbows bright." 

--Jill Wolfe 

"Frozen Light." Digital Image. January 5, 2013. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year Of Creativity #02: Still. Life.

Before there was such a thing as computer generated special effects, you had to create your own special effect. I call this one Still. Life. How wonderful - no one moved until after the shutter was released.

"Still. Life." Digital Image. January 3, 2013. Original Photograph.

Privately Held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year of Creativity #01: Reach Beyond Your Grasp

Sometimes you have to reach beyond what you think you are capable of.

The results will surprise you

"Reach Beyond Your Grasp." Digital Image. December 26,2012. Original Photograph.
Privately Held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2012