The Snow-Walkers …

I have been unseasonably cheerful this winter – I don’t know what’s wrong with me – gone are thoughts of hibernation – gone is the desire to snuggle up in front of the fire – I think a visit to the doctor is called for to check as to why I am so chirpy.  Could it be that I am actually enjoying winter for a change!

When we woke up last Friday morning to  this -

and this -

instead of cranking the heating up or going back to bed – I said come on, let’s go for a walk before it disappears.  And so we did.  A chance to wear my, as yet, unused snow boots.

and I have to say my feet were as toasty as toasty things.  As we ventured out I felt myself smiling – to have a good fall of snow doesn’t happen very often, it gave me a childlike pleasure, and I intended to make the most of it.  We wandered the lanes taking photographs – it is hard not to when everything looked so lovely. 

How can anyone not like the transformation that snow brings – it becomes a world in monochrome – even the starkness of a winter hedgerow becomes a thing of beauty  when covered in sugar frosting.

It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam.  This crisp winter air is full of it. ~ John Burroughs

Of winter’s lifeless world each tree now seems a perfect part; Yet each one holds summer’s secret; Deep down within its heart. ~ Charles Stater

We feel cold, but we don’t mind it, because we will not come to harm.  And if we wrapped up against the cold, we wouldn’t feel other things, like the bright tingle of the stars, or the music of the Aurora, or best of all the silky feeling of moonlight on our skin.  It’s worth being cold for that. ~ Philip Pullman, Northern Lights

On the contrary, I put up a petition annually, for as much snow, hail, frost, or storm, of one kind or other, as the skies can possibly afford us.  Surely every body is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a winter fire-side; candles at four o’clock, warm hearth-rugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies on the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without … ~ Thomas De Quincey

Welcome winter.  Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nontheless. ~ Terri Guillmets

“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream.” ~ Barbara Winkler"

People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they are happy ~ Anton Chekov

You can’t get too much winter in the winter ~ Robert Frost

Am I a changed woman?– will this feeling last ?– will I become a winter person instead of a summer one? Who knows?   Maybe it’s just the snow.  But I am  enjoying these winter delights – drinking it all in instead of moaning about it.  Sorry about all the cheerfulness – it’s nauseating isn’t it, especially if you can’t wait for winter to be over.  Happy Days!