The snow we got at the beginning of the week hasn’t melted, which is rare for Colorado. Even in the middle of winter, the snow usually melts quickly, but we are stuck in the middle of a deep freeze — lows close to zero, highs barely above freezing and then for only an hour or two.
Not that it’s a problem — I don’t really have to go anywhere, and if I do, I can walk. Walk very carefully, that is, considering all the ice.
I do feel bad about not knowing the snow would come. (Though how could I have known when even the weather forecasters didn’t know?) This would have been the perfect time to plant my wildflower seeds, with plenty of snow and cold to give them a good start, but there should be other opportunities. After all, winter isn’t even here yet, and from what my neighbors tell me, February is generally the coldest and snowiest month. The very thought makes me shiver. Colder than this? Yikes.
At least I don’t have to worry about watering my lawn! From what I remember of last year, I was watering almost until Christmas when we got our first major snow.
Speaking of Christmas — is it really only nine days away? It doesn’t seem possible — it feels as if this year started only a couple of months ago.
Before Christmas, though — only five days away — is the winter solstice. The end of the creeping darkness. Admittedly, with electric lights, and with my eyes focused so often on a book or the computer screen, I don’t notice the darkness as much as I did when I was younger and having to go to work every day.
And after Christmas — a mere seven days later — a new year begins.
I wonder what’s in store for me. Something good, I hope, though what that good thing would be, I don’t know. If I knew what I hoped for, I’d go after it myself and not wait for the new year to bring it.
Meantime, I’m doing what I can to keep warm. I hope you are too.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator.
Bertram's Blog 
December 16, 2022 at 6:35 pm
They say we could get some snow next Thursday night and then the artic blast will come in and the temps will drop. Have to wait and see. That tree looks wonderful. You have your winter wonderland. Stay warm. Merry Christmas
December 16, 2022 at 9:06 pm
Merry Christmas. Thank you for the card! It was thoughtful of you.
December 24, 2022 at 5:42 pm
You have set the artic blast this way. Lows are single digits and we have snow showers Thurs morning & have rolling brown outs. It will get better next week.
December 24, 2022 at 7:44 pm
Wow. I didn’t realize it got that cold there! And rolling brown outs? Have you dealt with that before? Luckily, we got through the worst of it without problem, and it will be warming up starting tomorrow.
December 25, 2022 at 12:05 pm
The rolling brown outs haven’t affected me any, but it has some of my friends. It’s sunny and 34 now.
December 18, 2022 at 3:03 am
Merry Christmas Pat, it looks like a winter fairytale – gorgeous! In Australia we’re supposed to be in mid summer- but last week recorded the coldest day in 50 years for December. I have punnets of little seedings I can’t quite bring myself to plant in this cold!
I hope the new year brings you something wonderful!
December 18, 2022 at 8:11 am
Thank you. Same to you. (If not this year, then some year for sure.)
Fifty degrees? In Summer in Australia? I don’t feel so bad about our deep freeze. Obviously, it’s cold all over!