Days of Deep Winter

arctic temperatures, fluffy snow, and slow days of hibernation

The first month of the new year slowly passes and hibernation has well and truly set in. A week and a half of arctic temperatures and windchill stuttered the urge to be outside, leaving me to greet the new year by reading numerous books and remaining tucked and cozy in my blankets.

The cold lifts slowly now, a temperature reading above 0° C is imminent, bringing moisture that will likely oscillate between rain and snow as we return to the more typical El Niño weather pattern.

The day we visited our little bay a few days ago was as wintery as ever; snow swirling, breeze blowing, my fingers and toes cold as ice as I waded through knee-deep powder.

The snow that comes with the arctic temperatures is my favourite; light, fluffy powder that piles in drifts and smooths open expanses. It dances on the air, the slightest current swirling it this way and that. It’s cold, and I cannot tolerate long adventures in my favourite woods, but it’s beautiful all the same.

Just as the snow muffles the outside world to a stillness unique to winter, so has my internal landscape been muffled and quiet as of late. The new year not beginning with a bang, but with a whisper — my body craving rest and warmth, my mind not interested in pursuing creative projects or ideas, and though I returned to work last week, it was in a halfway fashion as I ease into that routine once again.

My energy reflects the slumbering land outside, shrouded in its winter blanket; resting, whispering, waiting.

I steal away from the lake’s edge, venturing back through untouched and untracked snow toward the tumultuous river; effectively blocking the wind’s cold bite and allowing my uncovered face to thaw slightly.

Boulders and rocks dot the river’s width, and I smile to see they’ve kept their snowy caps, creating delightful shapes and formations; the stark white snow bright and vivid against the dark depths of the flowing river.

After river-gazing a short while, catching an unphotographed glimpse of my favourite water bird flitting in and out of the icy flow, I wade through the snow once again; returning home to a warm cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket, and thawed fingers and toes.

Until next time, thank you for joining me,

♡ Whitney

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