The Saint Paul Winter Carnival is in full swing this weekend. This is the time when we celebrate (and embrace) the cold weather. There are events ranging from parades to ice carving to snow sculpting to hockey games to outdoor beer gardens to Red Bull Crashed Ice and a sleigh and cutter rally too. Although we’ve had some serious cold weather this past week our snowfall has been minimal. But there was enough for the sleighs and horses to be out today. With temperatures right around freezing and a light snow coming down it seemed like I had been transported to a different era. Many of the drivers were dressed in period clothing to match their sleighs or wagons, and the horses seemed to enjoy the open space and the snow as they trotted along. There were one and two-horse sleighs, and a few sleighs pulled by ponies whose feet had to work overtime to cover the same distance as the horses. This driver and his matched team seemed to be reveling in the event and the weather. The image made me think that they had been out for a drive and were now headed back to the comfort and warmth of their respective home and barn.
winter
Morning frost
I looked out the window this morning and saw crystal-like snowflakes dancing in the sunlight. They sparkled and glistened as they drifted to the ground. It reminded me of this image from the past week. Our nights have been cold, and the other morning I went out to my car to go to work; insert key, start engine, and wait for the car to warm up. But as I sat in the driver’s seat I looked out the front windshield and “saw” the most beautiful sight. The morning’s frost had settled on the glass, and as the light of the day (and the street lamp) shined through the window it was all refracted through the crystals of frost. The trees became abstract and a beautiful mosaic was created with the light and the early morning colors of the sky.
Savoring the winter sunset
Minnesotans are happy that we are having a winter! The temperatures have remained below freezing and we couldn’t be happier! Yes, it may sound strange to those living in warmer and more temperate climates that we’re glad it’s cold, but with this more “normal” winter weather we can get out and enjoy the activities that make winter memorable. The neighborhood ice rinks have hockey games at night, the skating rinks are filled with graceful skaters and those that aspire to their grace. The golf courses are filled with cross-country skiers and snowshoers, and our lakes are open for fishing again. All it takes is a trip out onto the ice, either on foot or by car or truck (if the ice is thick enough), something to drill a hole in the ice, a line to drop through the hole, and the patience and luck to be successful. And last night there was a plethora of hopeful people outside ice fishing on a nearby lake. It also helped that there was a winter sunset that put on a beautiful display, as if beckoning us out to savor the winter weather and this sunset.
Fishing at sunset
Our Minnesota landscape has become much more winter-like. Temperatures have remained below freezing for the past 10 days, allowing the lakes to freeze. And with that the ice houses have started to go up and people are active once again around the lakes. As I drove past this lake the other night, there was a very fine snow that was falling. It was so delicate as to cause the sun to glow as it was starting to set below the cloudbank to the west. In its own way it seemed to be announcing that all was right with the winter world in Minnesota.
Wherever you are as the calendar turns into the new year, I wish you joy and wonder, happiness and health in 2013. Thanks to all of you that have been following my blog, and I hope you will continue to share in my weekly writings, photographs, and adventures. Happy new year!
Merry Christmas!
Wishing you all the joy, hope, and wonder of the holidays.
-Linda
lindastaatsphoto.com 