Take a rainstorm that makes everything wet, drop the temperature so the rain changes to sleet, the sleet changes to ice, and then drop the temperature more and it snows. And the snow clings to everything – the branches, the oak leaves, the pine trees, the sedges. Our world became a winter wonderland with everything coated with white snow. It was stunning, and it was so easy to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature in winter.
winter
The momentary snowfall
Dawn broke early with a fresh white snowfall. The sun traveled upwards but the dark clouds to the east were moving in. They seemed to curtain off the sunlight and it streamed onto the snow-covered lake. With a sudden gust, the wind blew the resting snow off the tree branches and it cascaded to the ground, backlit by the sun. It was momentary and it was breath taking – all in a split second.
Winter forest
This morning was cold and windy. The sky was cloudy and the air was filled with fine sleet and tiny snow. Winter still has its grip, and we were on a drive exploring. The forests can be thick or thinned. In this one area was a wonderful stand of birch and aspen, with a few small oaks in their midst. The colors and contrasts caught my eye – white on white, gray on white, and brown and white. Certainly a limited color palate, but beautiful in its starkness.
Three opportunities to shovel snow
During the past week we have had three distinct snowfalls, each one giving us plenty of opportunity to be outside. Just as we start to grumble about winter we remind ourselves that we are exercising while shoveling, we are getting Vitamin D on those mornings when the sun is sparkling over the fresh blanket of snow, and we are seeing our neighbors more regularly as we are all outside clearing our sidewalks and drives. For some reason my snow shoveling seems to take longer than others. I’m stopping to see the soft drifts that are piling up, I’m watching the clouds start to dissipate as the sun burns through them, I’m marveling at the brightest of blue skies overhead, I’m hearing a call of a cardinal in between the sound of snow blowers, and I’m noticing how the snow has settled so lightly on some of the tree branches. All those details only enhance my appreciation of winter and its unique beauty.
Embracing the snow and our season of winter
A week ago we headed north to visit a friend near Duluth. The weather was sunny but still cold; we were excited to be at 15 degrees! We all strapped on our snowshoes and headed out into the woods. Along for the trip was Halo – a happy, snow loving dog who was running rings around us. Halo is enjoying life now after suffering while with a previous owner. She is missing one of her hind legs, but seeing her jump through the deep snow, bounding ahead of us, and loving every minute of it, you’d never know that it might slow her down. She was in her element and reminded us all of embracing the seasons that we have and enjoying them to their fullest, no matter!
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