winter had confiscated and concealed

It's a snow day, and boy I'm having a hard time focusing. Darn Ground Hog. He didn't see his shadow. That should mean spring's coming early. Heck, in January we had spring. The end of February however, has brought old man winter back. 

I use the hashtag "#doilikesnow." That's a tricky question, one that appears simple at face value; yes or no. The ruse occurs in the answer, since I'm more gray than black and white.

I dig a powder-sugar dusting of snow and pendants of icicles lining the roof edge. 

Silhouetted trees with snow clinging to bare branches, catching where limbs meets trunk are simply grand. And, I relish the solace and silence that a snow day creates. All winter dreamy stuff, right? 

very small, insignificant snowflakes drifted down

swirling casually before obscuring the dirt, pavement, the people

it was quiet and subdued

all you could see was white

no definition between sky meeting earth

everyone, everything holed up

dormant, daydreaming of color-filled days and birdsong

sun-filled laughter

winter had confiscated and concealed the city

holding it captive with an arctic hand

cars were stilled, shops were stilled, existence was stilled

until the spring time of life could return one trickle at a time

Well yes, but no. It's cold. This morning I shoveled an area on the patio so Isabella would have a "potty" spot. Usually, it's out in the yard, but when the yard contains almost two feet of snow - and it's still snowing - she needs a place.

When I came in my hands were cold. 

I did a quick warm-up, and then decided to attempt a walk. I made it around the block; which was a pretty good work-out. Reaching the house, my hands were so cold they ached. Needless to say, I sure hope all that trudging and freezing will balance out the big ole grilled ham and cheese sandwich I ate for lunch.

From the computer I can see my neighborhood. 

The Whoville-like tree is even more bent under the weight of snow. It looks like an old man with a walking stick. A big fat robin sat on a branch of the maple tree for several minutes. It was puffed up, and seemed to be reveling in a good snow shower. The hubs is shoveling again; so is our neighbor.

When out on my walk, one neighbor said, "So long as everyone has heat and food, I love this." I want to adopt that mindset, which is a good idea since the flakes are getting bigger and heavier. #doilikesnow?

Winter may have confiscated and concealed where I live, but I still live. It's a little slower, a lot more bundled up - note to self: get some new gloves - and filled with daydreams of warm days and bare feet. But for now, I choose to find contentment in the subdued, white of winter.

Missy

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