I heard two girls talking in a store recently. “Winter should become a verb now,” one said to the other, “we should call it wintering, meaning an awful thing that you have to do every year.” The other girl readily agreed and I was left to ponder their conversation.
I’m the first to admit that I’m not a winter lover but neither am I a winter hater. The problems that winter brings are real, as in the extra work and the added cost, and it’s easy to view winter as a way of life rather than a period of time but like life, winter is what we make of it. As someone once said “When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.”
I choose to make snow angels, figuratively at least, and only when I’m not shoveling the stuff. I wanted to tell the girls that even the worst winter has a few good days, and how much better they’d feel about it if they just took a walk in the woods on a sunny day and saw what a little sunlight and blue shadows can do to a beech tree. In the end I didn’t say anything. I just took the walk myself.
They say in the 145 years that they’ve been keeping records of such things here in New Hampshire, that this has been the coldest February that we’ve ever seen. I can believe that; I don’t think I’ve ever had to wear as many layers just to go outside as I have this year, but it’s still better than being inside. More than a day or two of that and I start feeling as if I’m going a little stir crazy.
There are as many beautiful things to see in winter as there are in summer but because they aren’t wildflowers and butterflies, many people don’t bother going out to see them. Beauty takes on different forms in winter and you can see a lot of things that you can’t see in summer. You might see winter hug a stone, for instance. Though one is just as cold as the other, together they might generate a warm smile.
A closer look will show that even in winter the stone is alive with hundreds or even thousands of life forms, including the beautiful smoky eye boulder lichen. It’s no wonder that winter had to throw its arms around the stone with jewels like this encrusting its surface.
Stones aren’t the only place to find beautiful and interesting things in winter. Fallen branches almost always hold a surprise or two.
You could have a chance to look around an insect’s home.
Or you might find a Frullania liverwort crocheted on the bark.
Not surprisingly, the maple syrup makers say that the season will be starting late this year. It could be a week or it could be two, but not until daytime temperatures reach the mid-30s F and the nights fall to just below freezing will the sap run.
In a way, when I think of all the things that they’ll see in the woods I envy of the tree tappers, but I don’t envy their having to wade through such deep snow. The weather people say that this was also the third snowiest February in 145 years of record keeping. There was enough windblown snow up at the old abandoned road to even cover many of the vertical ledges that the mosses, lichens and liverworts grow on, so that meant that we had to cancel the Pathfinders hike because of it. I’m hoping that we see some melting soon because I was really looking forward to showing them around. We don’t want it to melt too quickly though; so much snow melting too fast could cause flooding.
I hope the girls in the store will one day discover that all of the seasons are beautiful in their own way, and I hope that they’ll give nature in winter a chance. The artist John Sloan said “Nature is what you see plus what you think about it.” I think that goes for winter too.
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within. – Horace Friess
Thanks for stopping in.
As snow is a rare treat for us in Old Hampshire I can’t help but love it. I can see how it would get wearing in large quantities over a long period but I love the way the world sparkles, the crunch underfoot and the silence of it. Cold or not I don’t think I’d be able to resist going out in it.
Yes, if it was as rare here I’m sure we’d feel different about it. In spite of it wearing you out after 6 weeks of shoveling it, if you take the time to find the beauty in it winter is much easier to get through. I think many people just shut themselves up inside and wait for spring, but that makes winter seem even longer.
[…] Mountains, remarks on this long cold snowy winter –with beautiful photos– in his post “Wintering”. […]
Hello!
I linked to this post at uribotanicalgardens.wordpress.com
You say it way better than I do! Thanks,
Gabrielle
Thank you for the link!
And more snow tonight! We have no choice but to enjoy it!
I agree. We only got a dusting here and the temperature is already above freezing, so it won’t last long.
I love winter, especially when there is snow on the ground. Your photos are beautiful, love the shot around the water! Enjoy your Sunday!
Thanks Michael. I know you probably don’t see much snow in North Carolina, so I’m sure that it’s kind of special there. If you ever get the urge to see some when you don’t have any just head north. We have plenty! Have a great week!
While the season did seem to go on forever, sometimes, I loved when it was there and the snows covered the mountains…when I lived in Utah. Cherished memories of a short stay. Thank you for the photos and your narrative, Allen…very nice to share in this morning, as our winter brings only rain and “chilly” temps to our desert land…. 🙂
You’re welcome Scott, and thank you. I’m glad that this post reminded you of snowier, if not happier times. I think I’d rather see snow than have it rain al winter. At least you can get out in the snow without getting soaking wet.
Beautiful…
Thank you Sue!
Your sentiments are so true. You must embrace everything that the weather throws at you. One of my happiest memories is walking all day in the pouring rain along side Loch Lomond in the pouring rain with a good friend. The clouds were so low you would think you could touch them. Over here I have got lazy and tend to pass over the rainy days and wait for the sunshine. Wrong! Amelia
Thank you. I think “put up with” would be as true sometimes as “embrace” but I do try to get out there no matter what the weather. Sometimes it can be magical like your walk in the rain, but if we sit indoors we’ll never find out.
I’m a bit of a winter hater. I know there is still beauty to be found, but the cold does me in very quickly. I don’t mind that I;m spending this Feb-Mar in AZ!!
That’s a good place to be Laura. The cold this year has really been something to remember, so enjoy the sunshine!
I’ve always enjoyed winter, but even more so when I think of all of the life that is sleeping beneath the snow, just awaiting the time to come awake and start the beautiful seasons of spring and summer.
I used to enjoy it a lot more before I bought a house and had to start shoveling its roof. It’s quite a chore and as I get older I dread it even more every year.
Getting into the woods lets me forget the bad side and think of the good. Spring has always been my favorite season and like you I’m thinking of all the life just waiting to come around. After this winter spring is going to be welcome!
Good post. I admire your positive attitude, even if I may not always share it.
Thanks! It’s been a fight to stay positive through this winter!
It’s been “wintering” hard here since November, and doesn’t look as though it’s going to stop any time soon. Like you, we broke the record for the coldest February on record. However, your post makes me wish that I hadn’t wimped out and stayed inside the past two weeks, you always find wonderful things no matter what the weather is like.
Don’t feel too bad Jerry, I’ve been going out on the warm days and staying inside when it’s been too cold. Of course most of the “warm” days have only been about 15-20 degrees, so I’ve had to get used to it.
I love the concept of “wintering” in a positive way. Hope you and the Pathfinders can get out together soon…they are lucky guys!
Thanks Martha. As soon as the trail is manageable, I’ll let them know. Right now we’d all be walking single file in a 6 inch wide 4 wheeler tire track. Not easy, and not very comfortable.
Great post as always and I realized that I have been reading you for a year now! I am constantly inspired by what you find (and am even trying to learn my lichens…).
I was thinking that you would be interested in this Guardian article about the words we use to describe nature that are being removed from dictionaries. An unfortunate direction and I think it gives us nature interpreters/artists a greater charge to capture and teach to others what we have in nature before we forget.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/27/robert-macfarlane-word-hoard-rewilding-landscape
Thank you Lara. I’m glad you’ve been reading this blog for a year now! The best lichen book I’ve found is Lichens of North America. It’s very expensive but if you can get Santa to bring it to you like he did me, you’ll have a very Merry Christmas. And yes, you can find lichens even on Christmas!
That article is disturbing. I can’t believe the Oxford English Dictionary would remove words like Buttercup and Willow. It makes you wonder how our grandchildren are going to know anything about the world they live in.
On the other hand, it’s good to know that there are “word collectors” like Robert Macfarlane out there. I read many of the old nature books by the likes of John Muir and Hal Borland, so you won’t see the old words and terms disappear from this blog. Thank you for passing that on. I’m going to read it again.
Those girls are definitely missing a lot.
Sadly they are, but this kind of extreme cold can become wearisome after a while, so i can sort of understand.
Your winter shots definitely showcase its beauty, but it’s hard to appreciate just how cold it has been lately unless you are trying to take photographs in this weather. Frozen fingers, often.
Thanks Sue. Yes, I know exactly what you mean! We were down to 11 below this morning.
Reblogged this on Dawn of Divine Rays.
Thanks again Agnes!
I always wear snowshoes when I tap trees. We will get the Pathfinders out to see your trail this spring – count on it!
I think I would too if I tapped trees. I think you’d kind of have to this year-I just saw waist high drifts on Pitcher mountain.
I’m hoping spring comes sooner rather than later.
As always, I enjoyed all your pictures. The green reflecting on the water is my favorite. So calming
Thank you. I’m glad you liked that one. I had to stand in a snow bank up to my knees to get it to avoid getting hit by cars.
As a “winter-enthusiast”, even I have found this February to be too cold; couldn’t take the dog with me snow-shoeing until the other day when it warmed up enough so that it wouldn’t injure his feet. But what a feast for the eyes: otter slides, small-moose tracks, cache of nuts scattered, widow-maker sinking down due to the weight of the snow, bob cat track, wood-pecker saw dust. Thank you for embracing the “what is”.
Thank you Barbara. Yes, this has been a winter to remember! I’m glad you were finally able to get out though. It sounds like you had a great time with so much to see. I’m going to try climbing a mountain this afternoon and if I see half what you did I’ll be happy!
Love your second shot! It sums up why I enjoy walking in the winter woods.
Thanks! I agree. Sometimes simple pleasures are the best kind.
I especially like the maple with that blue behind it.
Thanks Ben. Blue skies have been rare this winter so I thought I’d better get a shot of it while it lasted!
Clearly a good move. 🙂
Such a nice post! On my way home from Trader Joe’s yesterday, I stopped at Mine Falls Park in Nashua, put on my ice cleats, and hit the trails. It was good to breathe in the fresh air and take in the gorgeous views along the river. Going to get out the snowshoes today and see if I can make paths to the maple trees I tap in my yard. Really looking forward to the first glass of fresh maple water. Nothing like it!
Thank you Paula. That cold crisp air really seems to clear your mind, I’ve noticed.
I remember tasting that maple sap when I was a boy, but I haven’t for years. Good luck getting to the trees!
Such an eloquent post. We would probably all be better off if we would quit complaining about the weather (hot or cold), and just go for a walk. Thank you for that reminder.
Thank you Judy. I think you might be on to something!
Wonderful photos and observations. But, I’m going with the ‘wintering’ because as much as I’d like to make snow angels instead of shovel the problem is when I try to get up off the ground to a standing position again. 🙂
Thank you Judy. I think I know what you mean. My knees aren’t what they used to be and sometimes I have a hard time standing back up too. When I’m in the woods there’s usually a friendly tree nearby to hang on to, so I manage!
I do so enjoy your beautiful and optimistic posts. I hope that you will publish a book of your thoughts, hikes and photographs of the things you see one day. I agree that the seasons all have beauty of their own. I hope your slow and steady thaw starts very soon.
Thank you Clare. I have thought about a book that would show people how to find the things that I find, but “thought” is about as far as it has gotten so far. Maybe when it stops snowing and I have more time I can at least get it started.
I think it would be wonderful if you could, but I do understand the pressures of life and day-to-day chores!
Things should start calming down soon, I hope. Once the days get longer it always seems like we have more time, even though we really don’t.
I know exactly what you mean! I do hope things get easier for you very quickly.
Thanks!
Waking to this blog every few days has made winter more enjoyable. Thank you for doing this.
You’re welcome, and thank you. I’m glad to hear that.
“You might see winter hug a stone” – what a sweet phrase. I like the berries and birds of winter and also that parks are quieter with more space to walk in.
Thank you Emily. Yes, those are some other benefits to winter wandering that I didn’t mention. This year especially, you can have parks all to yourself!
Opening our eyes and discovering how beautiful nature can be in all seasons is joyous but must be hard when you have a winter as hard as yours this year. I am glad you brave the snow though as I really enjoy following your walks.
Thank you Julie. Yes, this has been a tough one for sure but the weather people are saying that warmth is just a day or two away. Spring is bound to happen!
As well as being a beautifully photographed blog, as always, you have waxed poetical in your text. As a defence of winter for an artist and nature lover no one could have written better.
Thank you Susan. I only hope it convinces a few more people to get out there and see for themselves.