Gratitude Day 136

Snow and a Visitor

I had a visitor this morning

A respectable 8-point buck.

He looked right at me as I was standing out in the garage.

Not really grateful for snow, but it was a good heading nonetheless.

Winter has arrived in Northeast Ohio USA.

The seemingly endless season of snow, wind, boots, winter coats, gloves, snowblowers, exorbitant heating bills, and bone-chilling cold.

Winter also brings soup, extra sleep, cuddling (if not alone), hunkering down under stacks of blankets, hot tea, layered clothing, and beautiful snow-covered landscapes (until the meltdown and the black snow appears).

Winter is definitely an acquired taste – not for the faint of heart.

I don’t know if I would like living in a place where the seasons were not well-defined.

There is something to be said for knowing the time of year by walking outside and smelling the air.

Winter smells crisp, clean, and cold.

I remember the dawn of winter right before Thanksgiving when I was a child in elementary school. The excitement as we all sang:

“Over the river and through the woods, To grandmother’s house we go; The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh, Through (the) white and drifted snow! Over the river and through the woods, Oh, how the wind does blow! It stings the toes and bites the nose, As over the ground we go.“

We would sing the song in the car on the way to grandma and grandpa’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Every year I say I hate snow, but secretly I love it.

… and that beautiful eight-point buck?

He will live to see another day in the city

unless he is crazy enough to run out in front of a speeding vehicle and get splattered.

Until then, I’ll just take pictures and stare in amazement.

XO Lisa ❤️ living a gratitude filled life!