Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Sunday, January 02, 2011

A New Year

Janus am I; oldest of potentates;
Forward I look, and backward, and below
I count, as god of avenues and gates,
The years that through my portals come and go.
I block the roads, and drift the fields with snow;
I chase the wild-fowl from the frozen fen;
My frosts congeal the rivers in their flow,
My fires light up the hearths and hearts of men.

from The Poet's Calendar by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Janus is the god of gates and doorways, beginnings, endings and time and it is for him that the month of January is named.  I like the idea of looking both forwards and backwards. In the past lie the experiences both good and bad that have enriched and shaped our lives. We learn from all of them. In the past also lie our memories of friends and family many of them now dead and gone - how empty our lives would be without the ability to recall all the happy times shared with those who have been most important to us. As for looking forwards - a whole new year lies ahead full of possibilities and opportunities. I intend to make the most of it and I hope you all do too.


A very Happy, Healthy and Adventurous 2011 to you all from B Baggins and I!

24 comments:

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Wishing you many blessings in 2011.

Kathy said...

Wishing you a wonderful New Year full of optimism and opportunities!
I like the idea of looking to the past to help us make the most of the future!
xxx

Roy said...

Happy New Year Rowan.

Diane said...

Happy New Year Rowan. We have just come back from a walk on Blacka Moor and I was looking out for you! I thought I would recognise you if you had Bilbo Baggins with you! xxxxx

George said...

A lovely post, Rowan, and you are absolutely right about celebrating the past as well as the future, something that we often forget at the beginning of a new year. The very best to you and B Baggins in the coming year.

Rosie said...

Happy New Year, Rowan I find I look to the past far more now than I used to so I will try to look to the future for opportunities this coming year:)

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I love adventures - may all yours be fulfilliing and grand.

Penny said...

May you have a fun filled year with a few nice surprises.

Laurel said...

Rowan, I always enjoy your writing--this entry being no exception. A very happy new year to you, too, and I look forward to hearing all about your adventures in 2011!

Thimbleanna said...

Happy New Year Rowan! I look forward to reading the Circle of the Year adventures for 2011!

Gracie said...

My best wishes for a very good year to you too!

FireLight said...

You certainly set the pace for making the most of it! Thank you for the background on Janus.
"My fires light up the hearths and hearts of men."
January is my place in circle of the year {smiles}!

Hollace said...

Happy New Year, Rowan. I like your fairy name. Mine came up Hemlock Rainbowglitter. Not so sure about the hemlock part...
Holly

Rowan said...

I like my fairy name too Hollace but it wasn't supposed to be under the header! I've moved to to the side bar now:)

Medieval Muse said...

Hope this new year is a very enchanted path for you and yours:)
Happy New Year.

Tina said...

Happy new year to you, too!

WOL said...

Lovely pix of the handsome Mr. Baggins in his local haunts.

May you and yours have a safe, healthy, happy, prosperous, enriching, joyous new year

Sheila said...

Sending my very best wishes for 2011.
Thank you for the Christmas card with the little robin, my favourite kind!
xx

Anonymous said...

All the best in 2011, Rowan!

Thanks so much for stopping by. We are much better. We arrived at the lake, yesterday afternoon. That helps a lot.

I am thinking about taking one day a week to post photos at the blog. I feel like the photography has been neglected at the "Back Porch".

Granny Sue said...

Happy New Year, Rowan! I have never seen that Longfellow poem before, and I like it very much. Even today his words fit.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Rowan.
Love poetry, this one being no exception. I do like your fairy name.
Have a great week.
Rosemary...

Unknown said...

Well, what do you know, Rowan? I'm "Ash Elfsnap" !
I'm cheerful and friendly; live in forests of oak and lime trees; am only seen in the mist of an early morning (I like that!); wear autumnal leaf colours and have transparent green wings like a cicada (not too mad on the cicada!!). Enjoy all that 2011 may bring.

Anonymous said...

A very happy, healthy 2011. Have a great time !!
I hope you're having a good weekend.
Our dog Charlie says hi to B Baggins !!!

Comfrey Cottages said...

wonderful picture, poem and thoughts, Rowan xx Belated New year wishes to you and B Baggins xx