Ice Doodles – Photo: L. Weikel

Mother Nature’s Artwork

We’re all familiar with Mother Nature’s artwork in the sky: from the Cloud Beings who show up when we need them to the stunning sunsets painted across the sky that take our breath away. But tonight I’d like to celebrate the artistry that’s channeled when temperatures plunge then climb – and plunge again. Sometimes, I swear there’s a pen and ink artist working out their creative urges in the between and they’re using puddles and streams to express it.

All of these photos were taken the same night (Monday night), yet to me they seem to reflect vastly different facets of a March evening. They actually almost seem to reflect different climates! But they were all taken within a radius of two miles or so.

I can’t decide which photo I’d like to include at the top of this post. Do I go with the stunning color of a blood orange sunset reflected in roadside puddles? Or do I lead with an iced-over puddle that sort of hits me in the gut by how it reminds me of cartoon doodles that Karl used to draw on bits of paper and in notebooks I still randomly discover?

Icicles Too

Then there are the icicles dripping from the rocky ledges overhanging a creek that flows into the Lenape Sipu (Delaware River). I regret that I am unable to name this creek at the moment, but I can attest to its loveliness.

Pacha and Brutus were still able to find a snow drift to jump into yesterday (although tonight it was much less fun to play in). Speaking of which – can you believe it? They actually have grown to love playing in the snow. Aaah, seven month olds!

Snow Shenanigans – Photo: L. Weikel

With temperatures expected near 70 degrees tomorrow, I doubt we’ll find any more icy puddle doodles or icicles. Indeed, these may have been the last of the season (although I doubt it).

Oh! Which reminds me. I found the shortest little daffodil blooming in the neighbors’ grass today. I was going to call it the littlest daffodil, but it’s definitely a full-size daffodil (as opposed to the true miniatures I’ve seen). But its stem just never seemed to grow and the bloom is nestled amongst blades of grass.

Shortest Daffodil – Photo: L. Weikel

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