a bit of snow

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Her first time on cross county skis and she did great.  

The snow is up to her knees but that's just in a "shallow" spot.  It was a warm nearly forty-degree day and we were surrounded by all dense lush snow.  We played.

But not until we shoveled our way in, turned on the furnace, and looked around for visible tracks in the snow.

I found a few minutes to chase the light.  The sun already feeling stronger, warmer with the angle higher in the sky.

I stumbled upon memories from earlier this year.

I found curious patches of snow.

Every winter I have this peak moment reveling on how all this white fluffy stuff gets dumped over everything; totally covers the outsides with inches and at times, feet of snow.  It still a wonder to me so long as I find intentional moments to breathe the crisp winter air and listen for the quiet shush of snow as it falls off the trees; droplets of snow melt finishing off the symphonic sounds of the woods.

I tried, I really did try today to soak it all up.  The arctic winds are coming down from the north as I type this, the city garden accouterments rattling in a bitter rustle and clang.  It's coming again - the deep cold.  This might be a good time to consider the benefits of hibernation.