winter

Hints of spring

lindastaatsphotoLeave a comment

We are dancing between winter and spring. The calendar says mid-March which can mean any type of weather and conditions, especially since last year at this time we had over two feet of snow on the ground. This year is a much different story with record-breaking high temperatures and no snow, only brown grass and drought conditions. People are taking advantage of our early spring temperatures, and it seems everyone you see outside is smiling as though we’re getting away with something.

The lakes are loosing their ice, the birds are calling, the days are lengthening, and heavy coats, winter boots, gloves and hats are not necessary. I’ve marveled at daffodils and tulips that have pushed up through the ground, certainly a month earlier than usual. But I was stunned to see blooming crocus the other day while I was out walking in our neighborhood. Granted, they were near a wall that could capture the sun’s heat and keep it much warmer than the air temperature, but the crocus were a wonderful welcome to spring’s promise.

Deep down I know we have not turned the page completely as our forecast for the next few days shows a return of more seasonal temperatures and even some snow. But I’ll hold on to the crocus’s promise and know that spring will be here soon.

Mirror Mirror

lindastaatsphotoLeave a comment

Lake ice has not been dependable due to our warmer-than-usual temperatures. The warm daytime temps create pools of water on top of the ice, then it freezes up overnight as the temps go below 32 degrees. I watched this repeat day after day last week. The usual company of ice anglers seem to have abandoned their sport due to the uncertain ice conditions, and the whole area is very quiet.

So it wasn’t unusual that I was ignoring the view from the window as I was going about my day to day tasks last week. But then I caught a glimpse of something large landing on the ice and looked up to see an eagle swooping down. It pecked at one particular area, perhaps finding something to eat. I was enthralled watching the eagle and its reflection in the surface water on top of the ice. After about four minutes, another large eagle came down and the two of them seemed to be carrying on a conversation – perhaps about our lack of winter weather??? Another five minutes passed and they both flew south down the lake.

Snow sculpturing

lindastaatsphotoLeave a comment

It’s Winter Carnival time in Saint Paul, Minnesota. But there are challenges to be met this unusual year. With temperatures in the 30s and 40s we are most un-winterlike. To date we have had a paltry 7.3 inches of snow, whereas last year we had already shoveled over 53 inches. We’ve had a couple of subzero temperatures, but not the norm. For those people, events, and businesses that rely on cold and snow this winter has been a bust so far. Many lakes are not completely frozen yet, and those lakes that are frozen do not have the ice thickness to support cars, trucks, and the permanent ice houses. Skiers are flocking to areas with man-made snow, ice fishers are only walking onto the ice to fish (if even that), and some pond hockey events have been cancelled.

As of today, the Winter Carnival is going ahead with their snow sculptures. There were not nearly as many groups sawing and shaping their blocks of snow when I was at the fairgrounds earlier, although I did see snow sculptors wearing short sleeve shirts and no jackets (which is a statement of itself about the current conditions).

In Winter Carnival legend, King Boreas presides over the winter world of Saint Paul. He declares ten days of celebrating all things cold and wintry which he oversees with his wife, the Queen of Snows. But on the final day, Vulcanus Rex, the god of Fire, and his Krewe subdue the cold with heat, spring and summer are welcomed, and they rule until the following year when King Boreas and winter return. This year it appears Vulcanus Rex has a head-start and King Boreas will be retreating much sooner than usual!

Into the new year

lindastaatsphotoLeave a comment

2024 – a new year and a clean slate. But maybe all the “newness” isn’t quite as important. I’m choosing to look forward with “freshness” and an openness to what the future holds. Experiences to relish and roads to travel, skills to learn, tastes to savor, sounds to hear. It’s not necessarily new year’s resolutions, but an intent to open my life, be aware of the loveliness that surrounds me.

This delicate and soft-hued hibiscus seems to be blooming into freshness, opening to the light around it. I hope your new year is a lovely one, filled with experiences to delight all your senses.

Joy and excitement

lindastaatsphoto4 Comments

The month of December is busy and hectic, with so many things to do. We hurry from one task to the next as though it’s a race to the finish line. But we all seem to be searching to find the joy and excitement of the Christmas season – the thrill we once had when we woke on Christmas morning and couldn’t wait to see what Santa might have brought while we slept with ears open for the sound of reindeer on the roof.

But maybe that joy and excitement is out there, just in different places waiting for us to see it. The other night I was thrilled to see a barred owl in the yard, watching over the grasses and looking for a meal. It stayed for more than ten minutes, watching me move about inside the glass doors. Today while pumping gas into my car, I saw a flock of pigeons flying in unison. They’d swoop up in the air together, then fly downward – all in one motion. And then the sun peeked from behind the clouds, and when the birds would turn in a particular direction the sun would sparkle off their wings. It was momentary and exciting.

I wish for you to find that child-like joy and excitement this Christmas season, and into the coming year. Merry Christmas!