knitting

sneak peek (it’s now finished)

Yamaha piano ©DianeMSchuller

“learning”

dogs in snow ©DianeMSchuller

Maggie and Pearl in the snow, when we used to live on the farm in northern Alberta.

“One kind word can warm three winter months.” -Japanese proverb.

first snow ©Diane M Schuller

First snow when we used to live up north.

 

As family and friends are aware, we no longer live where there is snow. I’m amazed sometimes how people grumble about the ‘cold’ or the rain or the grey days where we now live. But it’s really all a matter of attitude. I admit, especially in the later years living up north, my attitude towards winter turned sour. But it wasn’t the snow that had beaten me down, rather the isolation. And when it gets colder than minus 24 and beyond, that is far too cold for me to see the positive side. So why on earth post some old photos taken from those winter days? I truly do sometimes miss the snow. I love how it illuminates everything. It even has a smell, a fresh clean albeit faint scent. When the sun shines, and it shines no matter how cold it gets up there, the snow diamonds sparkle like they’re in winter heaven. It brings out the playfulness in pets, children, and even the occasional adult. I don’t miss the cold and needing to bundle up like the Goodyear blimp, but at times, I truly do miss the snow.

Snow can be beautiful. Snow is silent. Snow accumulates and holds beauty, or maybe even some secrets. Snow truly blankets the world it falls upon, but in so doing it also reveals many things: tracks of wild animals and humans too; the trace of a lone vehicle on a country road, the imprint of an owl’s feathers left from swooping down for it’s daily meal from just beneath the surface of the snow.

snow bound country road ©Diane M Schuller

Okay, enough of all that. I’ve been incredibly busy in recent weeks. I’ve finally finished knitting Christmas gifts for my family (which is why I’m not showing any of them here for now); been attending meetings and planning events; and we’ve been so fortunate to be invited to friends homes for wonderful dinners and special evenings (like last evening); and, of course, the Christmas parties and lunches have begun.

I love this time of year. I also appreciate that I can now be out and about without wearing multiple layers and heavy boots. I may miss the snow at times, but I have fond memories to hold me tight while I embrace a new kind of winter.

What do you love about this time of year? Or about snow?

“Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity” — Novala Takemoto, Missin

 

11 thoughts on “sweet clarity of winter”

  1. I love the snowy time of year. Right now we are hovering at freezing and have patchy icy white stuff. Not good! Hopefully we’ll cool down for good and get a nice beautiful coating of the white stuff. Your snow pictures are gorgeous!

  2. I too used to live where there was snow. Now I living in the extreme opposite. I loved the way the street lights used to reflect off the snow and make a magical glow. These beautiful images make me miss it even more!
    Can’t wait to see the beautiful projects you finished.

  3. I do love your snowy images, especially the last one! We hear that snow is coming our way tomorrow. Maybe I can get some pics too…It is so enjoyable to have people in and be invited out this time of year. So comfy and cosy and warm. Just like your knitting!

  4. i had to think for awhile on this one. I love hearing all my students playing Christmas songs. It makes me feel very content. I love your pictures.

  5. I sometimes complain about the winter also, Diane, but in reality, I would be quite lost without it. I do not mind the snow at all, but we had a horribly cold winter last year. Either way, I’ll keep my winters.

    It sounds like you’ve been really busy, but in a very good way.

    I wish you a wonderful week ahead! xo.

  6. your beautiful photo’s make me wish for snow….(remind me of that wish when we’re digging ourselves out this winter…lol)
    wishing you a lovely weekend ~

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