Reciprocal Nature Prompt

The Snow! Enjoy It While It Lasts

A short time spent outside in the falling snow

I was born with snow on the ground.

Snow is usually a part of life up here for at least a few months out of the year. I grew up always looking forward to the next, bigger, better snowstorm. Some of my earliest memories are of playing in snowforts carved out by the adults or the older children. Taking my coat and hat off in the warm cavern inside the snow pile mountain. I remember rolling huge snowballs and everyone helping and lifting one than another snow boulder on top to create a giant snowman. I remember sledding and tobogganing and sliding down long hills on a snowy golf course on thin sheets of plastic, never wanting the hill or the ride to end. And snowshoeing with my cousins to the corner store during the blizzard of 78, finally free after being out of school and stuck mostly at home for over a week. At any time in winter that we felt like going outside, shoveling was always an option. And skiing as I got older and started working and had some extra money. And doing all these things again as an adult when the children were young. And then other times, so many times, spent just walking quietly in the falling snow through the natural world. Watching. Looking. Like now. Following footsteps through the snowy landscape.

We haven’t had hardly any snow this winter.

When I read Dr. Preeti Singh’s nature prompt for the second week of January I looked out the window and smiled. Large flakes of wet snow were falling.

The snow started to add up on the ground, quickly transforming the drab winter landscape.

I walked outside and took these photos of the new snow.

Snow is falling slowly in large wet clumps. I know if I am going to write this story, I had better walk outside right now. Most of this snow would melt by the morning.

Snow falling on the ground reveals footprints while burying those that come before.

Snow is wet and staying where it lands.

There is very little wind today allowing snow to cover every tiny twig. The weight of frozen water is bending and sculpting the tangled branches.

Snow gathers on the waiting evergreen boughs. Branches are springing down to their protective winter position.

A snowy roof above a leafy blanket.

Snow is not quite making it down to the autumn fallen leaves below.

The ground still is relatively warm under the leafy mulch.

Let it Snow!

Snow, falling snow, falling alone or in wet sticky clumps. Falling softly and silently to the ground. Feeling the cold fresh crispness. Looking up into these sparkling crystal flakes.

This story is written in response to Dr. Preeti Singh, and her Reciprocal Nature column and prompt for the second week of January. For anyone who would like to join in the fun and contribute to the prompt, all the information you need is contained in the link below…

Please read the pure joy of snow with Joyce Nielsen …

And read and see some sensational scenery with Terry Day…

Thank you, editors of Reciprocal, Sahil Patel, Yana Bostongirl, and Dr. Preeti Singh.