A winter wonderland
It has been many years since I have lived in a state with snow. Yesterday March 18th I woke up to the white world of winter. The world was awash with white snow gently blanketing the ground and coating the trees. Beautiful. I love the early morning in this situation. It is quiet, uncannily warm, there is no footprint on the snow and so it looks like a postcard. Absolutely and quietly coldly beautiful. Walking in the street as the sun shines on the trees, the gentle plop of the snow off the trees is the only sound you hear. The wind comes up gently and makes a wintery blast across my face reminding me there is a downside to all of this. Yet it seems exhilarating. I love snow.
The doggies are happily plodding with snow on their backs and both wagging their tales. Picking up the pace they lead me to the familiar paths we take daily. On return, wet and tired. They are ready for naps in the sunny window. Living like a dog would be good for all of us from time to time. Someone prepares your food and serving you at precise times, long naps. The ability to demand love and attention and all the cold water you want at your fingertips. The dog park on Saturdays with plenty of friends and running. A dog groomer to give you a bath a haircut and do your nails regularly. WOW…I could live like that for a day.
My favorite memory of winter is when I was 14. I lived in Michigan and my bedroom had a bay window with a window seat. I would read my books there. I loved just loved that little room. It had a view of the side lawn and the street that was lit by a streetlamp. One Saturday night we had an ice storm. The snow fell fast and then the rain behind it just light rain, but it froze as it fell, and the snow was a crusty glistening landscape of wonder. A few hours later I heard creaking. I went to the window and the trees were encased in ice. The light shining off from them and the whole world looked like a scene from Narnia when we met the ice princess! I put on my boots and coat, mittens and scarf and out the front door well after midnight! Our porch was a large porch from which to observe the city neighborhood. Up and down the street it was glistening snow and ice covered everything, I did not come off the porch. So beautiful. I didnt want to mark it in any way. The gentle creaking of the ice-covered trees. The steeple of the church was also icy and more beautiful than I had ever seen. No one would be going anywhere today, I crawled back under the covers and slept a peaceful sleep. Later in the morning, I awakened to the unusual sounds of the church bells and the ice cracking. The sun shone brightly and the whole vision of the rainbows from the melting ice will be seared into my memory forever.
It is good to be able to intermittently have a snow day, it makes me well in a whole different way.