snow

Mother Nature’s Artwork – ND #98

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
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

(T+98)

I Love the Anticipation – ND #52

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
Last Night’s Sunset – Photo: L. Weikel

I Love the Anticipation

I’m sure I’ve written about it before, but I love the anticipation of a major snowstorm. There’s a slightly different feel to the prospect of getting ‘snowed in’ since the pandemic began, but the magic persists in my heart. Standing outside in the darkness of the night with only the faint hissing sound of snowflakes as they race each other to the earth, I feel connected to everything.

Can you tell? I just came inside from taking the pups out before bed. Pacha wanted to scamper about and play in the falling snow while Brutus couldn’t do his business fast enough before heading back inside.

I’m sure he’ll play with Pacha tomorrow. (She makes it irresistible.) Just like cavorting on frozen puddles. It took me a couple of times showing them how I slide on the puddles, but eventually Pacha realized just how much fun that could be. And yet again, Brutus ‘likes’ it, but mostly seems to only join in because Pacha eggs him on.

Moments before Brutie’s legs slipped out from under him – Photo: L. Weikel

Blizzard Up the Coast

Here I am, waxing rhapsodic over the prospect of a ‘major snowstorm,’ (“Kenan”) when along the coast (literally) they’re facing the arrival of a full-on blizzard. Yes, it’s true: I would relish that experience. I know I should probably be more ‘adult’ and pragmatically consider the ramifications of such a weather event. But I think I have an idealized notion of experiencing a blizzard from reading the Little House on the Prairie* books.

The idea of snuggling up all warm and toasty in front of a fire, reading books, making stew, and reveling in the muffled silence of the outside world is compelling. It also neatly dovetails with the rest of the messages I’ve been receiving this week, especially the one brought by the Rune Isa (Standstill). Truth be told, I’m still working on integrating that message.

Not Even That Much

Sadly, though, it seems we’re not even going to get that much snow in the grand scheme of things. Maybe 6” or so? Ugh, I just checked the Weather Channel again and it’s down to a predicted 3” – 5”. How disappointing. Hardly the 24” – 30” they’re calling for Boston to receive.

Maybe I’ll post this and go back outside all by myself. We’ve kept the Christmas lights up for just such an occasion. Well, brightening the dark nights no matter what – but also making the snow look like stained glass during storms like this.

I’m realizing how many little things about this time of year bring me joy.

I definitely feel a need to listen to the snow. No human voices. Just Nature.

Lights in the snow – tonight – Photo: L. Weikel

* affiliate link

(T+52)

Snowstorm Mish-Mash – Day 385

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

 

Snowstorm Mish-Mash

What snowstorm?

I know there’s a chance we may wake up tomorrow with snow falling and the possibility of 8” or so of the white stuff actually accumulating throughout the day. But at the moment, at least, it doesn’t feel like it’ll materialize.

All day today, I felt as though I was waiting for something to happen. I’m not even sure, really, what I was waiting for or, more importantly, why. Who cares if it snows? And why should it matter one way or another?

The Damage Was Done

It didn’t matter what happened today, weather-wise, because the damage had been done. Out of a sense of prudence and caution, our kids went home early. They live too far away and directly in the path of this slow moving precipitation event to mess around with simply hoping the rain wouldn’t change to ice or snow.

It was a particularly disappointing and abrupt end to the Thanksgiving holiday because it seemed as though every day they were here entailed visits with other family and friends. The visits weren’t the problem by any means; but we ended up with no days to ourselves.

Alas, not a single game of hearts was played.

Not Even a Walk

And then there was the frustration of the non-stop rain today. We didn’t even manage to fit in a walk, which, quite obviously to anyone reading this, contributed to a build-up of crank-monsters in yours truly.

Nevertheless, I am grateful that our holiday was spared any mishaps – caused by weather or otherwise. I hope the same is true for all of you.

EoP Biodiversity Process

I forgot to remind everyone that today is (or was, technically, for many of us) the 1st of December, and thus the day to use your Essence of Perelandra to work with Nature on the EoP Biodiversity Process. That less-than-one minute process is such a simple way to join other like-minded people around the world in coordinating with Nature to make a difference. By engaging in this process, we provide a network of stabilizing strength for all living beings to draw upon as our planet undergoes major changes.

Hopefully, some of you may still have time to get the job done if you live further west. But if you didn’t remember this month, I personally think it wouldn’t hurt for you to do it right this moment, as you’re remembering it. Adding your intention to all the efforts of those who performed the process on the 1st can only be a boost to the intentions of all.

You can also set your calendar so you remember to perform the process one month from now: on the first day of January, 2020. I will also make a point to remind us as well.

Cocoon

And if we do end up having some serious snowfall tomorrow? Perhaps we can nestle into our warm cocoons (if we’re lucky enough to have them) and dream some dreams for 2020.

(T-726)