January's winter is new and wonderful. This week the beginning of winter's end tries my patience. As my grandson Jonah, another winter lover, says, "I like snowmen but I miss Spring." Below are my thoughts about "season" this month.
The predictable seasonal cycle teaches about constant change. Each winter varies in arrival and departure, temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, and wind. One winter sky is not like another. The new moon on a cold January night brings deep darkness and quiet. Some winter sunsets are brilliant with orange and purple and others are soft and gray. The light of a yellowy sun behind cloud cover reminds me of the color of my Grandmother Catherine's hair. She was born at home on January 11, 1893. I imagine her mother wrapped her in layers in their uninsulated farmhouse.
Snow is enchanting. For a time, it hushes the world.
Winter is about watching - chickadees, a flock of cardinals, tracks of a fox following a rabbit in the snow. This winter is also about waiting for the Covid-19 vaccine. Patience is required.
Winter has a prominent place in many written works. Each interpretation is a gift. In Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, falling snow marked the new beginnings of the main character. When my daughter was little, she liked a picture book called Strawberry Shortcake and the Winter That Would Not End. Snow and ice were forces of evil to be defeated. I can't remember the storyline for sure but I suspect it was a version of the Demeter and Persephone myth. She also loved the way her Dad read the sing-song verse in Happy Winter. In The Bear and the Nightingale, a fantasy by Katherine Arden, the Russian forest in winter is almost another character. While some characters are afraid of winter and the forest, the young protagonist, Vasalisa, is not afraid of either. Wintering by Katherine May is a wonderful reimagining of winter as a time of rest and self-care.
As the February light begins to change, the sky is a brighter shade of blue. The days grow ever longer. Sunday morning a heavy wet snow sounded like rain on the roof. Wet snows of late winter bring a hint of Spring.
Wishing you thawing days, blue skies, and a vaccine in the coming days.
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| Icicles from two weeks ago, now melted and gone. |
I've been fond of Februarys because it is in the middle of winter and when there is lots of snow (like now) I love it even more. I love how daylight enters in.
ReplyDeleteYour winter thoughts are lovely and introspective, and I love the connections you've made with winter books. I'm with Jonah!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post. I also love how you've included so many winter titles - I believe that books set in the winter are some of my favorites. I also like how Katherine May described the snowy season as the beginnings of adventures in children's novels (such as the snow as the children passed through the wardrobe and into Narnia).
ReplyDeleteI've been in NH for just over 12 years and am still enchanted by the winter season, but do have to admit that I'm aching for planting season, which is still several months away. I'm thankful for zip-up greenhouses in the basement, grow lights, and plenty of seeds to keep me occupied for now.
One thing I've always loved about February is that even though it's still very much winter, there are hints of spring. Yesterday we had an unusually warm day (we actually hit a high in the low 60s), and so much snow melted that I could see tips of the spring flowers starting to poke through the ground. We might get snow here even through early April, but we know for sure that winter can't last forever.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, soothing post Jane. I'm with Jonah too. I love living in an area with four seasons and I appreciate them all. We are now in the midst of a February thaw (temps in the 50's!!!!) and I'm planning to get out and walk today. Spring is coming for sure!
ReplyDeleteJonah's got it right, that's for sure! :-)
ReplyDeleteWe've had some signs of spring this past week (including my first robin sighting!), but I'm sure the season will be fickle. As usual.
Enjoy your day!
I was stunned to wake up this morning to find that the snow had almost all melted. Spring is inching ever closer. But, I will miss these hushed days of winter. Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI love winter, and it rarely goes on too long for me. However, I am hoping against hope that I get the vaccine before my school district brings me back.
ReplyDeleteA first - birdsong this morning. an spring be far behind? I will miss winter.
ReplyDeleteAllison was born on the 27th of February.We love that month, just for that reason! March is normally tough for me. But, we just learned we can get the vaccine if we can find it. So March may mean we get to finally see our son in Mexico. I know the time change is only a few weeks away. Its 5;30 here and still light out. That really helps. But , honestly, we were terribly cold today as we took our friend with dementia, for a 2 mile walk and park bench lunch. It still feels very wintery here. I will look for sunshine and warmth in the form of a vaccine!
ReplyDeleteOur days are certainly getting lighter here, and thankfully there are signs of spring despite the recent snow. We get our second shots tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSuch truth in these words. No winter to spring here is ever the same. But the joy is that for years and years I hated spring. Mostly because my father was tyrannical and felt we should all be suffering and blue during Lent. Lovely u=huh? I say there is no Lent this year. CoVID has made it all Lent for a year. We change the clocks soon! We are waiting for our vaccines. There is light ........and it is getting brighter
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