February Intermission

Last week, we had such a wonderful, though brief, intermission from winters grasp. The many days of fluffy white snow and ice that blanketed the earth, gave way to the silent and gentle persuasion of the sunshine which slowly melted down the big snowbanks of winter. It was a welcome reprieve for those with cabin fever.


After church on Sunday, I discovered Rosevilles Central Park , which is very close to our home. Being new in the area, it was like finding an unexpected treasure for me. I drove in, and saw all of the trails so nicely groomed and hurried home to get my dear companion to come walk with me. The sun was shining warmly, and now and then, in the distance, we could hear the call of a chickadee. Folks were out in numbers, walking dogs, jogging or pushing children in carriages. The joy of glimpsing springs promise, even briefly, brought smiles to the faces of passerbys.

The edge of the small watershed lake in the park, was a nice open area for the ducks to settle and find a haven to swim, fluff their feathers and simply enjoy the sunlight. They too welcomed this small gift given in the midst of a harsh winter.

It seems that we sometimes need to experience some discomforts or unpleasantries to truly appreciate the simple little everyday gifts that are presented to us along the way. Things like seeing the first tulips peeking through the snow in springtime, or the sight of sunlight and a rainbow in the sky, after a storm. They are all earths gifts of promise telling us that all is well, in the circle of life, and no matter what storms may come, hope and healing are not far behind.

I am so happy to live in this part of the country where we can experience a panorama of changing seasons, each with a beauty all its own. Winters white, Springs blossoms and songbirds, summers playground and autumns gold, all are part of the tapestry we call Minnesota. We are happy to be here anticipating each new season.

Old Fashioned Winter

This winter seems to be almost like the old fashioned winters of my youth, when the temperatures dropped to -20 or -30 in the upper peninsula of my Michigan. I remember how we used to go and wait for the school bus, in our "bus shack" and stamping our feet so that they did not freeze as we watched for that big orange school bus. Sometimes, when it was late, we would turn and head towards home only to look back and it was coming, so we made a quick turn around and ran to catch the ride to school.

It hardly seems that it was so long ago and the years have flown by, but thankfully we can conjure up in our minds the wonderful memories of yesteryear, and it seems like yesterday.

Yesterday, we went to the Fairgrounds where many large snow carvings were on display from the Winter Carnival events. They were amazing! There was a large snow maze there which , children of all ages, were wandering through. I remember how , when we we kids, dad would build a big snow igloo from blocks of hard snow that he cut with a shovel. It was really warm inside of those snow houses all protected from wind and cold. When we got older, we would dig our own snow tunnels and forts. There was always something, in the line of fun, to do in winter, that never costed us any money. Snow forts, sledding, ice fishing, snowmen, snowball fights etc. The wonderful realm of imagination thrives in the minds of children, making everyday an adventure.

Aside from the fun of winter sports and play, the best part to me was to be able to go indoors and savor the warmth of a pot belly stove and warm the innards with a cup of hot cocoa topped with a big, puffy white marshmallow, which sat like foam on a chocolate sea.

Those by gone days provide warm memories because we shared them in a close knit family . We were used to the harsh weather and knew how to deal with it because it was part of everyday life. This year, there are more ice and snow storms presenting themselves in places where people have not experienced them and there is nothing fun about it for them. The world has become a different place, in so many ways, yet children will always find ways to have fun and build their own memories for future days to come. With February underway now, and the sun becoming higher in the sky, I am gradually letting thoughts of springtime emerge into my thoughts, like the first crocuses that brighten our days after winter snows start to dwindle into the warming earth. Time to think Spring!!