This week was the beginning the St. Paul Winter Carnival, a true celebration of all things having to do with winter. And this year the weather has cooperated in fine fashion (some might even say it’s been a bit too cold). In past years some of the events have had to be cancelled or shortened because of warming temperatures, but that isn’t an issue for us now. The snow sculptures were being carved yesterday as I wandered around the Minnesota Fairgrounds. This huge sculpture was especially popular for photographs, with the St. Paul Winter Carnival emblem in the center, surrounded by all sorts of cold-weather creatures and beasts. There were even some “tools of the trade” – chests of saws and chisels – that were still being used for touch up. The celebration continues through next weekend (although I truly believe winter will be lasting much longer than that!).
Photography
A fresh snowfall
We awoke yesterday morning to a fresh coating of snow – about four plus inches. And while it was still snowing, the forecast was for quickly clearing skies. I bundled up and headed over to Como Park. Arriving before dawn, there was already activity all around. The skiers were out on the golf course enjoying the open spaces, and the groomer was methodically going around the course near the ski hill laying the tracks. As the sun made its way above the low-lying clouds, it caused the shadows to pick up the patterns of the track – line after line after line. Just a few minutes after I made this photo, a group of skiers swooshed past me and down the hill, smiling and chatting and commenting how lucky they were to have such a glorious morning to be out and about.
Blue window frost
When the temperature is -26 degrees, the places that I will point my camera for interesting photographs becomes much more limited. As our multiple days of subzero temperatures bottomed out, I found myself inside looking out, through the beautiful patterns of frost on one of the windows. Intricate and fascinating, it was back-lit by a neighbor’s light in the distance. I found myself going from one side of the window to the next looking for patterns that would show the detail. And when I stepped back to see the pattern in full, it reminded me of the delicateness of a green fern. Within a few days our temperatures moderated and the winter beauty on this window evaporated by the welcome sun.
Watching the winter sunset
The days are short and the nights are long in our Minnesota-part of the hemisphere. After a stretch of sub-zero days, and the prediction of more to follow, yesterday was a breath of warmer air. Our highs reached into the 40’s and brought people outside as if it were late springtime. I was at Como Park to enjoy the late afternoon and watched this couple as they lingered over the early sunset. The shadows ran long across the snow but their spirits were high as they laughed and encouraged a man who was drilling holes in the ice for fishing. The sun set quickly, darkness took over, the wind picked up, and as predicted the temperatures fell to subzero overnight. Our respite was short but gave us the hope of warmer days in the distant future.
Holiday wishes
My wishes for you this holiday season: a feeling of wonder at the beauty around us, an appreciation of the family and friends we hold dear, a remembrance of those people no longer in our lives physically, and a sense of joy and happiness kept within our hearts not only during the holidays but each and every day too. Merry Christmas!
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