At last, it seems, winter has settled in and on the swampy landscape of Washington DC. It was not quite 20 F. outside this morning when I checked the thermometer at 7:00 a.m. I turn the heat down before I go to bed at night, which means by the time I rise, the chateau has cooled to about 60 F., but this morning it was a seriously chilly 55 F. according to the indoor thermometer. Brrrrrrrrr!! Fortunately the radiant heat works quickly in this small space. In the meantime, my cup of hot coffee visibly steamed and of course tasted even better than usual.
Because I'm lucky enough to live indoors, I enjoy the few very cold days of a typical DC winter. A hard freeze clears the insects and sets the bulb flowers. Energetically a hard freeze is cleansing. Cold brings stillness and quiet; the birds and squirrels tuck themselves away, and so do the humans for the most part. We go on about our business of course, but instead of strolling, gathering, and chatting, I see my fellow Washingtonians dashing to their cars, hunkering down within the hoods of their parkas while they wait for the bus, walking fast and furious to the subway stations.
Of course I'll get out there for awhile today. I'll be bundled up and it's likely I'll be walking more briskly than usual, but I'll be smiling, yes indeed.
Brother Sun is a shiny shade of white today, the sky is a dainty blue. The day calls! I love winter!
7 comments:
It's about 12°C outside today (55°F approx), so I guess my 18°C indoors isn't too bad!
It's good to have a cold snap once in awhile; sometimes here in the NW I miss the distinct cold of the mid west. Enjoy it!
As long as it doesn't last more than 2 or 3 days.
ahhhh reya - i get to the place where i love winter but it takes time and little experiences that lay bare winter's soul and then . . . and then i move cautiously cautiously closer to her white arms!!! steven
I'm not a lover of winter, but having recently experienced the extremely cold and polluted air of northern China, I'll take DC's winter anytime!
I love your first photo - it's a puddle of tree lace!
It's 15 degrees out and snowing here - it's lovely! I've been out to fill the bird feeders and as soon as this cup of tea is empty I will bundle up, grab my camera, and go for a long walk :)
I too love a cold snap, but I'm happy not to live in a climate where one has to remain indoors for weeks on end. Just taking care of the essentials in a frigid climate would be hard on me.
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