the-paper-bunnies: snow

it's getting late for me in my day, being the early to bed gal that i am, and i wanted to quickly send this off while the feelings are still vivid.

snow. i love it. always have. i don't do snow sports at all. i drive in it, long distances. i take public transportation in it. i walk in it. i shovel it. it's been in my life every year i have lived here in the midwest. people love, love, love to complain about the snow. i truly don't understand it as i have experienced all the same shit around it that they have, and yet i choose to look at it differently. the same goes for any weather that isn't exactly perfect, though i have no idea what that would look like. keep in mind that snow is crucial to every midwest farmer as is rain. the winter frosts and snow fall kill the pests that can otherwise wreak havoc on crops if winter stays to warm, but most folks forget that. snow fall also replenishes the great lakes that supply our every day, every minute water and without enough snow, we have low lakes come spring which can cause challenges. so snow is very necessary here in the midwest. period.

i simply love the beauty of it. i love how silent the neighborhood is when the storm is tapering off, be it evening or morning. i love the mornings especially in the snow because no one wants to go out except me, the beyond committed runners and the bigger of the brave dogs. though the small ones don't like to be shown up, so they muster themselves to get out and strut their stuff.

snow is a gift for the mind and the eyes, if you slow yourself down enough to look at it. it covers all the ugly gray and bleak of winter here in a vibrant, porcelain white blanket. it creates artistic outlines of all that is hibernating and helps them rest even further until it's the right time to wake up. it makes one quiet immediately because you are in awe of its splendor and elegance as it has landed in the most perfect way upon everything. it stops your thoughts and allows you to be so ever present in each step you make through the depth of whatever has fallen.

so this past week we have had a good amount of snow that i have been praying to the universe to bring. everyone i know gets very frustrated with me when i tell them that i have asked for this to come. oh well. i am filled with glee, joy, smiles and peace when it comes and keeps coming!

this morning, i woke to another 4 inches or so that had landed and i decided it was time for a walk to the lake while it was quiet since i didn't get to that a few days ago when about 8 inches landed and i spend 2 hours shoveling. i decided to capture some images of the beauty. enjoy, take a walk in the snow and be well.

the neighborhood streets