Haiku: Optimistically Obscured

Temperatures have been bouncing up and down here, and the last vestiges of snow have been shrinking from the approaching sun. This tiny pile of ice crystals was in a shaded alcove on the exterior of the chicken coop, looking as though it was doing its best to hide. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was successful.

Haiku: Surrounded By Snow

This was, for me, today’s reminder of resilience: overnight snow and frigid temperatures may have battered the dandelion, furling its tender petals, but I know I’ll see its cheery countenance once again. Further, I know many other blooms lie covered in snow, just waiting for the sun’s restorative touch. We may see Nature as – at times – shockingly harsh, but for natural creatures like plants and animals it simply is…and they don’t have a choice about rising to the challenge of survival. Resilience.

Haiku: Under Cover Of Darkness

It snowed yesterday and continued overnight. The puffy morning clouds present in the gloriously sunny morning gradually coalesced into an oddly bright – though thickly cloudy – “snow sky” in the afternoon. Later, the snow fell in big, carefree flakes; watching it float down, swirling, is like witnessing the dance of thousands of tiny crystalline butterflies…mesmerizing, magical moments.

I hope that you, too, still marvel at the world’s everyday beauty – and if you’re able, go play in the snow!

Haiku: Softened Edges

It snowed yesterday. Just a dusting – but for a while, the sodden landscape was transformed into something peacefully beautiful. To me, snow is one of those arguably ordinary events that is rarely fully appreciated: what other natural occurrence can transform unappealing objects, like rusty old gates, into something worth capturing? When it snows, really snows, the world’s frenetic pace slows and it grows quiet, as if there’s a reverent hush. Watching the snow is a bit hypnotic, too – as it swirls gracefully to the ground, it’s easy to engage in a bit of reverie: snowball fights, patiently rolling big snowballs to make a snowman, dogs cavorting in the snow…cherished snow memories.

May the wonder of snow be with you this holiday season!