Snow In Black And White

Snow begs to be preserved in black and white. Sometimes I wonder why I feel compelled to rob a perfectly fine picture of its color but there’s peace and serenity to be found in these images from home.

These small trees in my back yard remind me some of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. Perhaps this is why I like them so. They’re underdogs.

And the giant in my front yard that I often photograph in snow, rain, sunshine, sunrise and dusk. It seems even more imposing here than it does in any other photo in my collection.

When it snows I frequent the same spots around my yard but am often amazed at how appearances change in different light, with different snow.

Black and white transforms these scenes into something completely different. This snow from Christmas is long gone but I look forward to the next snow and the opportunities afforded to my camera.

White Christmas

Southeastern Ohio isn’t known for its snowfall. Rarely do we have large accumulations and when it happens, it typically melts in a few days.

We also haven’t had a white Christmas in recent years unless you count light flurries.

As we have learned, 2020 has been a year full of surprises and abnormalities. It shouldn’t be a surprise to any of us that Christmas would be different too.

I was thrilled when snow moved in on Christmas Eve, dumping six inches on my ridge in a matter of hours. The walk home in the snow that night was delightful and I was pleased to awake to more flurries in the morning.

Scout stood sentinel, watching the snowfall from one window and Bluejays from another.

I didn’t make it out with my camera but did snap a few phone pictures to commemorate the most significant Christmas snowfall we’ve seen in years.

I did feel bad for people traveling as the situation quickly escalated to a level three snow emergency (This system gauges road conditions and that’s as bad as it gets where I live) but was equally thrilled for the kids who got sleds for Christmas.

White Christmas or not, I hope yours was merry and bright.

Barn In Snow

Snow flurries made for a pretty drive earlier this week. I was on my way someplace but happily slammed on my breaks for a quick phone picture.

Have a great Sunday, friends!

First Snow

Our first snowfall of the season began Monday evening and yesterday saw large fluffy flakes fall to the ground throughout the day.

Scout was transfixed.

He spent much of the day staring out the window, a nice distraction from his terrorizing the Christmas tree – a different story for another day.

Let’s just say I was grateful for the reprieve.

Snow has a calming effect on me and a snow covered landscape is positively magical so it was fun seeing him take it all in yesterday.

I wondered what he was thinking. Personally, I was grateful to be homebound with my little cat and a pot of soup on the stove.

Where Did This Month Go?

It’s November 30th and this is what our landscape looks like here in southern Ohio. It’s stark but pretty, especially in places with pine trees to offer some softness and color.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is December. How is that even possible? Where did this month go?

The weather app claims that snow will find us tomorrow and I am glad. When snow blankets the landscape, it’s not just pretty. It signals to me changes in nature and changes in the rhythm of my own life. In winter I tend to slow down, to rest better and to breathe deeper.

It’s a visual cue to begin a season of quiet.

I wouldn’t enjoy it so much if I didn’t have a warm home or were called out at night to clear roads. However, from the comfort of a warm place, there’s nothing better than waking up to the first fresh fallen snow of the year.

A Blanket Of Snow

Snow finally found us yesterday. Not enough to be an inconvenience but enough to make things pretty. I’m hoping to take my camera for a little walk today but will be just as happy to settle in with a book and gaze out the window.

Southern Ohio in the winter tends to be dreary. A blanket of snow disguises the flaws and makes everything look better.