In the Colorado Snow

Walking home under the northern lights

You could see clear across the world to the other side

And the snow fell so still like music to the ground

And I'd take refuge in that holy sound.

(from Jennifer Berezan's "Refuge")

We got about ten inches of snow over the past 24-hours, so school was canceled for the day. That meant that my appointments were all rescheduled, and Brian stayed in to work from home. This also meant that Bosco got to spend some time watching us wrestle with the layer covering the driveway and sidewalk, which entertained him much more than us.

After a couple of weeks wishing we could move past the bitter cold and into spring, this shock of winter has reminded me of the joy that we find in snuggling in for a day to watch the peaceful world blanketed in white outside.

Let it Snow!

I've held out so far...even though holiday music has been playing in stores and on the radio for weeks. Listening to rehearsal recordings to get memorized for our upcoming Solstice concert has helped too, as well as the fact that it's been sunny and in the 60's! However, we woke up to beautiful, fluffy snow this morning, and I am acknowledging my decision to jump the gun and get into the Holiday Spirit before Thanksgiving this year.

It wasn't a conscious decision in the moment, but flipping through my stations on the way to work I stumbled across Bing Crosby's voice encouraging an audience to sing along with him "as loud or as pretty as you know how." Something inside me burst, my heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't help but crank the volume. Maybe it's the snow, maybe it's the fact that I just realized we miss a whole weekend of the season with Thanksgiving falling so late this year, or maybe it's the fact that I've been designing holiday greetings at work all week. Either way, the warm flood of joy that surged through me in the car this morning is the reason I spend so many months anticipating this season. (And, admittedly, the reason we have a separate storage box for all of my Holiday music.)

I'm not ready for Nat's Christmas Song or Barbara's Ave Maria, but the frosty view out my window all day has confirmed that I am in the mood for some jingly tunes to put me in a jolly mood.

A Time to Plant and a Time to Harvest

It came earlier this year than it has in a while. Today is one of my favorite days of the year, and simultaneously one of my least favorite. The First Snow! I like seasons, and I love changing seasons. The past few weeks have been lovely here in Colorado, but I am not lamenting the coming winter cold as much as I could. I love snow, and the magic that comes with the shimmering crystals and cold air. And it is the season for Halloween decorations, which have a much spookier impact on a dark, cold, stormy night. However, it means consciously pulling the plug on my vegetables and flowers. Acknowledging the end of the colorful fruit and leaves, and laying to rest the plants I have been sustaining every day for the past several months. When my alarm went off this morning, there was barely light in the sky. Looking out onto the patio, there was a dusting of white on the grill and the fence. I did not need the snooze button! I bundled up and went out to brush off the plants, trying to decide how quickly they needed to be moved into the garage. Today should be in the 40's, but tonight and through the weekend are forecast to be icky and freezing. I decided not to waste any time fretting about it(for once), and bite the bullet. I moved most of my potted plants from the patio around into the garage, except for the flower planters which I snuggled up next to the front door. Hopefully the dose of sunshine every morning will keep them happy for a little while longer. We still have beautiful ripening cherry tomatoes - the plant is still producing flowers! The peppers are in an odd state of green to red transition, and I have been coaxing the tomatillos so gently all summer that I am not convinced any of the husks really have anything substantial in them. The basil will be laid out to dry this weekend, and the herbs will hunker down for the winter. We will harvest the beets and use the greens in a comforting concoction this weekend, but the okra and chard might have to be sacrificed. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.