We had a good amount of snow during the last half of December, a couple of inches or so falling every day to keep the landscape, including roads and walks, covered with a fresh, light blanket. One morning I grabbed my camera to record the snow on my front garden… after putting on long underwear under my cords, a sweatshirt over my long-sleeved tee, a fiber-filled jacket, scarf, hat & hood, light gloves, and my warmest shoes. Sigh.
The mid-morning sun was hanging low in the south-east sky casting very long navy shadows over the diamond-dust-studded snow. It was so cold —- so cold it was hard to feel any warmth from the sun on my face as I closed my eyes and faced it head-on. My nose is always the first get cold, just before my entire exposed face feels the bite. This was a still day without even a whiff of moving air so the extreme cold didn’t feel as threatening, as dangerous.
A deer run into the vacant lot across the street from our home.
I decided to start down the drive towards the snow-covered road, mindful that walking on snow in a 73 year old body is dangerous. For stability I used that unique walk that is used, that is learned early in life, when walking on slippery surfaces. It took my total focus as I gingerly made my way down the declining slope of our drive, my senses only focused on my orientation to the ground and the sound of my steps as they crunched the lightly layered flakes of snow. When I stopped at the bottom to congratulate myself on my progress (it really is a relatively short distance) I took time to listen hard. I listened to the hushed silence that comes with cold and snow, only to hear the occasional muted sounds of tires squeaking over snow-packed roads.
The extreme cold results in a dry snow, the type of snow that is loosely bound together. Not a good snow for making snowmen or snowballs – for building snow walls to crouch behind in a serious snowball fight. On this day I was happy to experience these through my memories, but I felt the excited pull to do a little walking in the neighborhood. I don’t think the neighbor’s carved bear climbing the trunk of an old oak tree shared my excitement with the snow.
I didn’t walk far as I felt the cold seep through my clothes, making the muscles around my titanium knees stiffen, but what joy I experienced as I viewed the unique sites of the winter landscape.
I have lived through winters for so many years so my excitement surprises me when diamond dust starts floating in the air. I stand silent and watch, alone in the silence. My attempt to capture a digital image is fruitless… maybe there are some things that we need to enjoy in the moment without trying to make them ours.
Winter is a wonderful place to visit – but be sure to bring lots of layers of clothes. I’ll furnish the hot chocolate.
Or you can visit vicariously.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
I enjoyed going on your walk with you through your photos!!
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I bet your were warmer than I was during the walk. 🙂
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On my that looks cold. i think it’s cold here tonight when the temperature is 4ºC but that would be balmy compared to this.
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It was very cold – somewhere around 0 F. The only reason I was able to be out for a few minutes was that there wasn’t any wind.
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Oh, and the aging body thing. Yes, outside in this cold and ice is dangerous, although I have a hard time remembering that at 70 I am no longer 20.
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Pat, we are in record cold territory yet again. Snowing lightly. Windchill approaching -40. Radio endlessly saying,Best to stay in today and tonight and tomorrow. Rain and 50 by next Friday?
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Stay warm, my friend, stay warm. People in Florida are saying how cold it is here – woke up to 32 inland over our strawberry fields and high of 60 today. I just think – you don’t know cold until you feel a wind chill of -40 or -50. I worry about all the families in sub-standard housing who can’t keep warm wherever they live.
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I never thought I would admit this, but as I type this it is 5c or about 40f, no snow; and I miss it. I am sure after a few more years here on the island in B.C. I just might give up this crazy thought. Maybe the next 9 weeks in Mexico will help. Glad you ventured forth and shared your words and pics. Cheers.
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Have a good time in Mexico, Dan. And I totally understand your desire for colder weather and snow. As we age we want just a short experience of it and then to be able to enjoy warmth. My aging body did not like the bitter cold we had.
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Lovely photos Pat. It is hard to get yourself out there but once you do, you are rewarded!
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So true, Sue. I think if I spent the whole winter in Michigan I would go into hibernation. Work used to get me out but now that I’m retired…
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I forced myself out in the bone-chilling cold last weekend. I really didn’t want to and didn’t dress warm enough, but ended up being glad I did. The fresh air is healthy and we all need some winter photos!
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I have reached the age that a vicarious walk in the snow and cold is preferred to the actual event. 🙂
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Seeing I am sitting in 60-something Florida right now, I guess I just wrote a vicarious post about a winter’s walk. 🙂 Or a post of a vicarious winter’s walk.
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Homeowner to bear: “Here, hold this wreath for me. I will be right back.”
Bear: …..
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