Photo of the Week: "A Chill In the Air"

I can sympathize with this lone bird sitting in a barren tree. Winter is coming, and even though fall is nature's way of easing the world into the dark and cold, it is sometimes like a sudden dip into icy waters. The gray and wind and silence is coming, and I must say I don't completely wish it wouldn't arrive. I find winter to be a somewhat cleansing season in a way. Smells disappear, color fades, and even the light dims, until all that remains is the wind and the endless sky. One is then left to scurry inside, where life and laughter and warmth resides, and burrow and hibernate and hide under blankets until March rolls around. Winter makes one feel grateful for the blush of spring flowers and the thrill of thunderstorms that are yet to be. If one does not experience suffering or being without, then one cannot truly appreciate when life is golden and good and blessed.

So I sympathize with this lone bird, yet I know that in its own way, it is thinking and feeling much the way I am right now. It's now time to rest, recoup, reflect, and wait for that warmer spring weather that's teasing us just around the corner. To wait for those wonderful endless summer days and warm star-kissed nights. To dream about puffy clouds in blue skies and grass tickling your bare feet. To experience life and love and excitement and fun.