A week ago, the world outside my windows looked like this:
The branches of the trees heavily laden with glistening snow, a bit of sun peaking through just often enough to make my heart sing – except my heart was longing for warm sandy beaches and not properly appreciating the sun’s efforts.
The dried seed heads of summer’s flowers topped with snow looking a lot like a dessert topped with whipped cream
and the quail digging into the snow, searching for the seed it knew was down there somewhere.
Did I properly appreciate all of this beauty that surrounded me? No. I did not. I was blinded by my yearning for warm sandy beaches. I was battling Mother Nature – a futile battle that is, always. I was yearning for something I did not have, wishing the winter away.
This snowfall was followed by a week of warmer temperatures and rain – greeted by me with glee, except – I.did.not.think.carefully. I did not think about the fact that melting snow makes slush, and at night temperatures drop and slush becomes ice. I did not realize that those conditions I greeted joyfully would make going out for a walk well nigh impossible, unless one was willing to risk a fall that would do old, brittle bones no good whatsoever.
Yesterday, it looked like this out there
and I thought perhaps the clouds would continue to break up and sun would follow this morning. But Mother Nature had other plans, and this morning looked like this.
I give, I’m ready to wave the white flag. I believe there’s a lesson in this story. I believe I must give up wishing for what I do not have and cannot have. I believe I must learn to love the beauty that is offered me in whatever shape it takes. I believe I must remind myself that what is, is enough. I will appreciate what I am given. I will battle Mother Nature no more. Although – I won’t promise that I won’t complain.
I would actually like a little bit of the white stuff. Last year I complained because I thought we’d never see the end of the snow. This year we’ve had one snow storm and one blustery day but it didn’t last long. I think we’ve only shovelled snow once this winter.
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We have alternating clouds and beautiful blue skies with white puffy clouds…all of which is better than what the east coast is getting at this same moment.
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Beautiful! The hard rains came last night and washed out the snow, but it’s back today!
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Love the pictures of the quail.
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Your winter looks so beautiful, Carol. 🙂 I’m trying to learn to do the same with summer — appreciate it. Sometimes I can, but mostly I complain about the heat and bugs.
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Your winter looks beautiful, Carol. Luckily, winter is one season I don’t mind, in fact I prefer it, like Robin, to summer. It’s a good thing, I guess, as we’re in the midst of an historic blizzard right now. It’s kind of exciting. As long as we have power and can be warm and cozy inside, I don’t mind it at all. It is supposed to end soon, but it will take several days to dig out. 🙂
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Carol — Your quail photos are exceptional! Your snow photos remind me of what we moved away from (bitter cold shoveling). Brrrrrrrrrrr
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I guess it is true that we can’t fight Mother Nature – she will always win, however, she will never stop my dreaming of better days and longing for the beach and warmth.
No need to learn to love winter in my opinion – tolerating it is just fine! 😉
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I think we can all learn to appreciate the beauty that’s around us, not just you. I also think we are all allowed to complain. And perhaps console one another, because no matter how much we appreciate winter’s offerings, summer is when the living is easy!
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i haaaaaaate being cold but everything looks so pretty!!
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