Canadian Gardening: Beauty of Winter, 1 by Chilko

Chilko wrote:
In defense of snow....no one else is standing up so I will...

Snow is beautiful. Waking in the morning to that very special stillness and knowing I will see a pristine white landscape, is always a thrill. Trees clothed in snow have a beauty that rivals the first spring green, the sultry greens of summer, and the glowing colours of autumn.

Being outside in winter, toasty warm inside and cheeks glowing, is as envigorating as leaping into a cool pond on a blistering hot day. Vicariously living the lives of animals through their tracks is like unraveling a mystery. Coming across the saucy red of a rosehip peeking out from a gown of snow is a treat. Listening to the birds' softer winter talk is quite different from hearing their more urgent spring cries. Watching my cats and dog cavort in puffy snow drifts is a riot! And I love the horses' winter coats, my big bay turns so red, and they all look a few sizes larger.

Okay, so our houses have to be bigger to accommodate all that bulky winter wear; they have to be insulated and heated. But where one has winter, one also has spring and autumn and each season brings its own pleasures--not possible without the downtime that winter allows.

Mind you, I'm not speaking of the dreary grey stuff that snow becomes in some cities! In Vancouver, the pretty snow isn't pretty for very long.

Okay, I'm off my soap box and back to bitching about this rain we're getting that should NOT be happening.

Here's a picture of me going for a walk with the horses (their idea, not mine)