Love The One You’re With . . . Renewing My Appreciation Of Winter

Snowshoeing and Shadows in Winter ⓒ 2013 Michaela Medina  thegardenerseden.com Snowshoeing the Woodland Trails . . .

Time is relative, and it always seems to pass most slowly when you’re waiting. At this time of year, many of us in New England start to feel a bit down. Winter is a long season here, and in spite of what the calendar might say, it often lasts well into early spring. For me, living in the future —counting the days until apple trees blossom— only makes the winter seem longer and more brutal. When I was a child, like most children, I loved winter. Back then, snow storms meant adventure: cancelled classes, homemade cookies, sleds and snow forts. Of course once you grow up, other realities —shoveling, plowing snow, power outages and rising fuel costs— begin to steal the fun away from wintertime.

This year, I decided to take back winter, and focus on the joy. Instead of longing for the scent of moist earth and the colors of springtime, I turned my attention to the delights of snow and ice. I chased away the February blahs on a fast-moving toboggan and lightweight snowshoes; entertaining myself by flying down the driveway and rediscovering the joys crashing through paper-thin ice. Amazing what a bit of fast-paced activity will do for your mood!

Beech Leaf in Icy Pool â“’ 2013 Michaela Medina - thegardenerseden.comA Half-Frozen Brook, Filled with Fallen Beech Leaves . . .

Tiny Speck of Orange on Ice ⓒ 2013 Michaela Medina Harlow - thegardenerseden.com And Torn Specks of Orange on Ice . . .

Winter Green â“’ 2013 Michaela Medina Harlow - thegardenerseden.comNaked Branches Dancing in Chilly Pools, Swaying with Winter Worn Leaves and Hints of Spring Green

My twelve-year-old dog, Oli adores the winter. And why not? There are animals to track and snowballs to chase and opportunities to roll in fresh, white powder. He lives for a belly-deep blizzard; the chance to grab an enormous stick and “lead” the plow down my long, winding drive. He whines and wiggles and wags his tail, impatiently waiting for the engine to turn over so his fun can begin. Oli never seems to mind the cold when he’s moving. In fact, I can often see him smiling though the snow; digging to China as I struggle to connect an extension cord and charge yet another dead battery. “Winter is great fun.”, he says, “Quit your complaining and you’re bound to notice.”

Oli â“’ 2013 Michaela Medina - thegardenerseden.com The Joy of Finding Abundant Beauty and Surprise in Snowy Forest, on a Sunny Winter’s Day

Oli’s right, of course. Winter is both fun and amazing. And so I vow from this day forward to end the seasonal lament. No more waiting for the arrival of sweet springtime. She’ll be here soon enough. And if you find yourself suffering from the blues, join me in building a snowman. And remember, as Stephen Stills once sang . . .

“If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with . . .”

Sunset Over Barton Cove, Gill:Turners Falls, Massachusetts ⓒ 2013 Michaela Harlow From a Recent Flight Above the Valley: Winter Sunset Above Barton Cove, Gill, Massachusetts

Photography and Text â“’ Michaela Medina/The Gardener’s Eden. All images, articles and content on this site (with noted exceptions), are the original, copyrighted property of The Gardener’s Eden and may not be reposted, reproduced or used in any way without prior written consent. Contact information is in the left side bar. Please do not take my photographs without asking first. Thank you! 

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12 Replies to “Love The One You’re With . . . Renewing My Appreciation Of Winter”

  1. Deb Weyrich-Cody

    Wow, you’ve done it again; thanks for bringing back another great childhood memory… Of listening to the water burble under a skiff of ice, admiring the “endless loop” of Jack Frost’s artistry; all the while, working up the nerve to plunge your (briefly unmittened) hand into the spring that never truly froze, just to snag a few wavering strands of irresistably green watercress and, if it wasn’t too too cold (now that your hand’s wet anyway; ) to slurp icy water from cupped fingers. Ah bliss! No other water ever tasted as good, especially with head tilted back, eyes closed and face warmed by the heat of the winter sun in a blindingly blue sky…

  2. Deb Weyrich-Cody

    Oli is twelve years old now? Wow! So glad to see he’s as much a funny pup as ever (but where has the time gone, eh?!):
    Thanks for sharing your captured moments M; they are always a buttress for my soul! xo D.

  3. Lynda

    The first post I ever read of your was about how you got Oli! Today’s post is simply stunning! I have never seen photographs of a stream icing over. Loved it Michaela!

  4. Michaela

    Beautiful words, Deb. Sometimes I wonder why the Beekeeper’s Daughter isn’t blogging? So good to hear from you on this lovely, flurry-filled day. xo M

  5. Michaela

    And yes indeed… Oli remains a character, through and through! Hard to believe I adopted him more than ten years ago now. Time just keeps slipping on by…

    Thank you for following and always for the wonderful comments, Deb

  6. Michaela

    Thank you for the kind words, Lynda! How sweet that your first introduction to the blog began with Oli and his wondrous wildflower walk ;) I’m sure he’d love that. XO M

  7. Deb Weyrich-Cody

    Why not blog indeed! Well, it’s a matter of tidying up prior commitments, having fully functioning hardware, finding the courage to start and the time to not just make a start, but to keep it going. The “real” equipment is currently in for repair (again): and I don’t want to make a promise I can’t keep, so ’til then, I’m gathering ideas (and the nerve; ) to take the plunge.
    (And yes, you have every right to call me a Capitol C “Chicken”: )

  8. Michaela

    Hello John! Yes, Oli has a way of keeping things light hearted. He’s the clown with the stick-balancing act in my three-ring circus; prancing around in the snow with a 4′-6′ branch on his nose! Impossible to keep a straight face around him! :)

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