Dec 09 2010
Winter Arrives
It happened while I was busy getting ready for the holidays and my wife’s upcoming birthday. Winter arrived, just like that. The inch or two of snow that the weather forecasters promised us turned into a foot, and I spent the better part of a day shoveling it. Then temps suddenly dropped into the teens. Oh sure, the Winter Solstice is still two weeks away, but there is no doubt here in the North Country that winter has already arrived.
While tossing a ball for my dog at dusk, I noticed the brown remnants of my flower garden sticking up through the snow. I usually cut them back before the snow flies. How did that simple task escape me this year? Like I said, I’ve been busy lately. Very busy. It’s becoming a bad habit, actually. I cram too much into any given day. I try too hard to make each day count, and they fly by all the same.
I like the way the flower remnants look against the snow, especially as the last light fades. I don’t particularly like the way the frigid air stings my face, but I know I’ll get used to it. I put on my thermals today. It seems a little premature for thermals, but it is that time of year.
The UPS guy just dropped off a proof copy of a book for me to review. That’s one more thing demanding my attention – one of a half dozen literary projects that I currently have in the works. Like I said, I’ve been very busy lately. Maybe too busy. When is there time to stop and smell the roses? Right now, only the dried stems of roses protrude above the snow.
My dog lives in the moment. She plows through the snow, chasing the ball as if it’s the only thing that matters. While tossing the ball for her, I catch myself thinking about what I’ve accomplished today and making plans for tomorrow. I’m too busy to lose myself in the moment as she does. And to be perfectly honest, I barely notice the cold north wind blowing my way.
Winter arrives and I turn inward in more ways than one. Winters are long here in the North Country, so it’s easy to get lots of indoor projects done. Yet times like these, when I’m outside and looking around, I wonder if I’ll ever be able to appreciate nature in winter the way I do during the warm season. Probably not, but I’d sure would like to try someday.
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