Crunchy Cold

The snow squeaked with each step. The roll of the tires on the driveway did the same. Wisps of vapor curled from my nose when standing still but gushed like a steam engine while walking.

It was a cold day. Near zero degrees. Barely a breeze stirred the frozen tree branches. Not even a creak!

January morning. Stark. Cold. With a bite. On the prairie only in town! Still cold, just not so lonely.

On trips I noticed steep driveways in other regions of the country. California is a fond memory. I loved wondering what the tree shadowed driveways were like, what sort of home and yard were hidden from view. Later as I became familiar with snow and ice in New England and upstate New York, I thought of those driveways and wondered how people would climb them in bad weather?!

Of course such driveways were plentiful in the east, but driveways were built with winter in mind. Either slopes were made gentler or garages were built into the side of the hill eliminating the steep drive entirely. More ambitious driveways were built for fair weather only so deliveries could be made to the kitchen door. In summer those pathways were intriguing. Comforting. A nestling into nature.

Here in the Midwest we don’t think on this subject much. They don’t call us flatlanders for nothing!

No, we have it fairly easy. The trouble comes when snows are steadily driven by strong winds blowing across roads into drifts, or when passing cars beat the snow into icy surfaces glaring menacingly in the headlights. Even then we know to look for it. We drive accordingly, by the clues around us.

Winter reminds us of basic things. Warmth. Shelter. Moist aromas of food preparations. Steam spiraling from chimneys. Birds flitting from stiff branch to stiff branch seeking a lonely berry not yet tasted by other creatures. Survival. Exercise. Feeling good. Vital.

Winter focuses our attention on the indoors. We seek cozy. Such are not our thoughts in July! Cozy. Togetherness. Nesting with a dog or cat on the lap. Maybe a fire crackles in the fireplace. Glad to be together indoors.

Another side of cold weather that has its attractions, even if we don’t ski.

Four seasons have an allure. They remind us of the variety in life. Challenges with many rewards if we but look for them.

Enjoy the cold weather. The hot and sticky times are only a few months away!

December 16, 2013