Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Snowing

If only you could hear the sound of snow
Hakuin Ekaku

One could hear the sound of snow today. It is snowing heavily here, and it has been snowing since well before before sunrise: visibility minimal, sidewalks, curbs, stairways and trails almost impossible to locate under a layer of fine fluffy white more than a foot deep, ponds concealed under snowdrifts and a pearly gray twilight draped over everything in the village.

One can stay indoors looking out on a day like this, or one can wrap up and go for a long walk. I become restless when stuck indoors for a whole day, so going for a long walk in the snow is just what I did, dressing warmly to escape the wind and keeping to the edges of the park in the sure knowledge that there were several shallow ponds hidden under the snow, and that the water in them would be icy cold.

There is something very Zen about these northern December days and their winter storms - all of existence white and made new, concealed behind gauzy diaphanous veils and full of infinite possibility.

7 comments:

Livia Indica said...

I'm kinda jealous. We don't get much snow here until well after the new year. In my whole life I can only recall one or two white Decembers.

Angie said...

You have the most beautiful 'voice'...I treasure every post. Hmmm, could cause a serious case of envy for this tongue-tied little girl. ;) I've only recently discovered your blog; what a joy it is and you are one of my 'first every day' reads.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Again, what beauty. I would love to have "your voice and photography talent" but not the cold cold weather. But then when I was much younger I went to Canada to ski. You brought back the memories.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Beautiful words, bringing tranquil visions to my head.
Brenda

Linda Navroth said...

Thank you for sharing your part of the world with us! We of the southern climes can barely comprehend the magnitude of winter, but your photos and words bring it closer to perception. I should like to someday experience a winter like this, though I am afraid the thinness of my blood, fostered these long years in California, would have me paralyzed in short order!

Anonymous said...

Just discovered your posts...love ... honour .. them.
thanksgiving

Stella

L'Adelaide said...

how very cold and beautiful...and such soothing words spoken so softly, like the snow that enrobes you...