Thoughts on a Snowy Day

It rained all day yesterday and then began snowing last night. This morning a beautiful wonderland greeted us when we got up. The usually barren trees are dressed in their most elegant winter finery. Snow coats every branch and twig and turns them into soft, white, graceful sentinels. The only thing that would make it prettier is a bit of sunshine, but, I'm afraid that isn't to be today.

Looking out on this scene makes me remember just why we moved to this area in the first place. Cities were fine when we were younger ~ they held all the activity and excitement that you enjoy at that time in your life. However, as my husband, Dave, and I grew older we wanted something different ~ more peaceful, quieter, more private and filled with nature's beauty. We both grew up in small towns and we longed to be part of a real community again; a community where you know your neighbors and the people you see in the grocery store all have familiar faces.

We live on a private lane that winds from the main road back through an old woods. We live at the furthest end and are surrounded by oaks, poplars, maples and pines. There are three other homes on the lane but each of us have enough property that we are well separated from one another. Our neighbors aren't full-time residents so we have the whole area to ourselves most of the year. It's like our own little park where we have grown to love the solitude.

I've found a lot of peace here. Things are simple and our lifestyle is very casual. It's a relaxing change from traffic jams and noise, too many people and not enough trees. We've lived here 11 years now and have never looked back. We don't miss the hustle and bustle of the city. In fact, on those rare occasions when we're forced to go back, we wonder how we ever stood living there!

The area is filled with wildlife. We have whitetail deer who come to visit every day, along with occasional visits from foxes, porcupines, possum, and, more frequently, raccoons. There are dozens of squirrel who live in our trees and funny little chipmunks who scamper around during the warm months. Many different types of birds serenade us and become very disturbed when the feeders are empty. Hummingbirds spend their summers with us and I never tire of watching them. One day we were even visited by a huge turtle. He lumbered into the yard, stayed long enough arouse the curiosity of our two Labrador Retreivers, and then made his way slowly back into the woods. We never saw him again.

It's just a short walk to a lovely, large lake where our dogs love to go swimming. The sunrises and sunsets there are truly remarkable. It's a beautiful place to go even in the midst of winter. The wind that whips off the lake then is very invigorating and certainly cleans the cobwebs from your mind! We also built a pond in our backyard and, during the warm months, it's a treat to sit on our deck and listen to the water course over the falls. It's so relaxing . . . it washes whatever problems you may have away with its softly murmuring tranquility.

Yes, I feel blessed to live here where I can focus on the things that really matter in this life . . . where I feel centered and at peace with myself, with nature, and with my God.