Winter is flirting with us. She visits fleetingly leaving a sprinkle of ice-white powder. She stays for breakfast, but by lunch she is gone, only a few rimy traces remaining. Leaves are preserved in a sugar of frost crystals, giving clarity to their design. Ponds freeze over, in clear geometrics. The wind moans constantly. Raw air freezes us. But winter never quite delivers on her warnings.
This winter has been very different to the last. Last year the mud arrived and stayed for the season. This year the frosts have come. The glitter of ice in the mornings and that raw cold that comes as the day begins to die. It’s been two years since we had more than a flurry of snow. Our spring was bountiful, our summer warm, so it seemed we were destined for a hard winter. But the cold has been interspersed with mild, sunny days. The leaves took their time to fall and occasional flowers have bloomed through the season. There’s still a chance of snow but it’s only a matter of time before winter withdraws altogether.
Still, winter wants to give us notice. She lets us know that she is a possibility, just before Candlemas heralds the first stirrings of spring. On the day that winter visits, I see the first spring bulbs, thrusting through the snow-dust. Buttery crocus flowers waiting to open and a handful of daffodils in green bud. A day later, winter is gone and the crocuses have opened their whorl of petals. There are hazel catkins everywhere, featherlight fingers dangling.
I’m in suspension. Like a half-frozen pond. Still and dormant on one side, unruly ripples on the other. The two parts are in tension, caught between dream and action. My box of dreams has germinated and the front runners have emerged. I’ve honed the dreams into seeds, ready to be planted now Candlemas is here. But at the moment, those seeds are like that frozen pond – paused. I have no desire to do anything with them. I’m waiting for that ripple to set them off on their journey.
Lovely as always, Andrea. I get the clear sense of you waiting, but ready to emerge from winter’s frost in full vibrant bloom. Whatever creations you have germinating, they are going to be wonderful when that ripple arrives. Imbolc hugs. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teagan, I’m procrastinating at the moment – waiting for that inspiration to strike – I’ve got the ideas, just need that energy to get going:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seeds waiting for the energy of the warming sun? Love your buttery crocus. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Gallivanta. Well, we have some sun today, though its still very cold. But there’s that first hint of spring energy in the air – that will help 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. I love it when that hint of the new season tinges the air.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the pics! I wish we had weather like this, we have tons of snow and I’m a bad driver during winter.
LikeLike
Thanks Becky – I’ll take some of your snow! But then I don’t have to drive in it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mother Nature has taken to teasing us as well.What does she have up her sleeve.Superb writing. ❤ ❤
LikeLike
Thanks Tess, she’ll still be teasing at least for another week, so we’ll see what she has in story 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are buried in snow this morning. Snow drifts four and five feet high. The city’s shutdown. No school, work, nothing. B-r-r.
LikeLike
Well I could live with the no work 🙂 But it must be hard to live with that much snow! Just a little will do for me 🙂
LikeLike
Mother Nature has been full of surprises this winter. Up / down / little snow / no snow / rain / a huge dump of snow. 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I could say winter was flirting with us in Ohio, but it’s doing no such thing. It’s coming on hard and staying. Today we were blanketed in several inches of snow. I can’t deny it’s pretty, and it’s what I expect in February, but your winter sounds more appealing. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The grass is always greener….We rarely get huge amounts of snow as we’re too close to the coast, but just enough for a decent covering, just for a little while and I’d be happy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I swear, you made me appreciate winter the whole time I was reading your amazing post. Then, I see the wind blowing everything into the next county. And I see the rain pouring. At least I hope it’s just rain, I don’t have my glasses on. It could be confetti for all I can see. And oh look, there is the plunging wind chill bringing her sleazy friend, black ice. Can we invent a dance to rush along Spring? 🌺😀
LikeLike
🙂 Well, I didn’t appreciate the winter last night when I couldn’t sleep for the wind moaning at the window!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautiful, Andrea. Your words always bring about such a calming effect in my soul…thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks Jill, for that lovely comment 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, Winter stopped flirting last night and got serious. And now, she’s in a full-blown campaign for a relationship. 18 inches of snow and still falling:). Sigh. She’s nothing if not persistent.
LikeLike
Oh dear. I guess she’s busy elsewhere which is why there’s no sign of her here – it’s cold but we have sunshine (I’m sure you don’t want to hear that)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lovely Andrea 🙂 we’re having an exceptionally mild winter here in the Pacific Northwest. No snow, no storms (though they may yet come) and a lot less rain than we’re used to. However I have yet to spot a crocus so loved your pic.
LikeLike
Thanks Yolanda. They’re early here – it was mid-February before they bloomed last year, although we’ve had frost, it’s definitely been a mild winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Andrea, this is just beautiful. I can always count on you to offer something lovely. It’s been a difficult weekend, and this makes me feel stronger. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks Luanne, I’m so happy to hear you say that, I hope you have a better week 🙂
LikeLike
We’ve got Old Man Winter wreaking havoc on the Eastern part of the US. Lots and lots of snow and ice. But I’m out of it because I’ve escaped to Arizona for a couple of months! Winter gives me brain freeze 🙂 Must be his gentler cousin flirting with you! Are you in the UK?
LikeLike
Yes I heard about the weather out there. We don’t get anything like that – I am in the UK but near the coast, so we never get as much snow as on the hills further inland. But you must be nice and warm 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a completely beautiful post…
LikeLike
Thanks Tracey.
LikeLike
I’m pretty sure I know how you feel, Andrea. Digging into my first draft is proving a little daunting. I’ve decided to proceed this week and hope I’ll become truly inspired along the way.
LikeLike
Yep, I’m sure that spring energy will get me going, but right now I’m happy reading and just writing blog posts 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always I like the way you tie nature to your creative life and life in general. Your photos are as gorgeous as your writing is evocative. Being in suspension is a difficult state for a writer. It happens to all of us. A little patience and engaging in a new activity or seeing different people help me when I feel in this unsettling stage. Hope that your winter will be rich in creative possibiliies again soon.
LikeLike
Thanks Evelyne. I’m reading lots of books – catching up on my ‘to read’ list on my Kindle, so it’s all food for my creativity 🙂
LikeLike
Andrea, your posts are always a wonderful combination of photography and elegant word pictures, but you out did yourself with this one. I wish our frost and snow would come for breakfast but leave before lunch. Colorado has had one bout of snow after another, and our biggest months for snowfall are just beginning.
LikeLike
Thanks Marylin! I’m sure I wouldn’t wish for snow as much if I lived with it the way you do – it’s the rarity of it that makes it special 🙂
LikeLike
We have primroses out in our garden – they come and go at odd times throughout the year … I have seen them in November – their ripples are somewhat out of synch, I think. Beautiful writing as usual, Andrea. Hope your energy bursts forth with the coming of spring and unleashes your ideas onto the blank page!
LikeLike
Thanks Jenny, perhaps you have rebel primroses!
LikeLike
You’ve captured the feeling perfectly, its neither one thing nor the other this year (though we’ve still had all the mud). Snowdrops are everywhere and I saw my first pair of geese guarding half a dozen chicks on their route march across a field last week (so still in January!) so even the birds are receiving mixed messages about the seasons. Oddest thing was seeing a butterfly in flight, right past my nose, during December.
LikeLike
Thank you. I haven’t seen any snowdrops yet, though they tend not to grow on my regular walks. I was surprised to see moorhen chicks in November and hope they survived, but it seems to have been a bumper year for them.
LikeLike
Those signs of spring are coming for sure! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Wendy, yes, today it feels as though winter is over, but we still have weather warnings, so we’ll wait and see 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh, this is such a beautiful, poetic post Andrea. I must say though, it looks pretty cold to me!
LikeLike
Thanks Sara – it is cold, but sunny too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for giving me a slight taste of winter down here in Florida. It was nice to get a splash of it through your words and photos. Lovely.
LikeLike
Thanks Lori 🙂
LikeLike
So this was a lovely way to say you’ve been procrastinating, huh? Ha ha ha. You’re allowed. If Spring had bloomed in all her glory already she would’ve been premature.
Xxx
D.
LikeLike
Exactly 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful photos, honey! It’s been a mild one across the pond as well, and especially mild for me now that I’m in the Northwest. I am ready for true spring though. The darkness is getting old for me. Looking forward to the sun being warmer and more light for a boost of energy.
LikeLike
Well, it’s been a lovely sunny day, but we just had a minor blizzard on our walk to the park, so we’ll see what the week brings 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. I love the snowdrops as well. Lift their heads and they are soooooo beautiful inside.
LikeLike
I’d love to see snowdrops heralding the spring, but there aren’t many of them growing nearby – I do know where they’re likely to bloom though so I’ll be checking on their progress!
LikeLike
Here in Wisconsin, winter just announced its intentions to linger with about 8 inches of snow so I’ve been reminded not to go counting any crocuses til they’ve hatched! Still nice to see an image of them and feel that little flutter of hope. 🙂 Best wishes for when the creative floodgates open — in the meantime, enjoy the peace!
LikeLike
Thanks Sunshine, I hope your snow isn’t too long-lasting 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful photos and thoughts. I love this-
I’m in suspension. Like a half-frozen pond. Still and dormant on one side, unruly ripples on the other. The two parts are in tension, caught between dream and action. My box of dreams has germinated and the front runners have emerged. –
I so want to emerge from this dreary torpor – we have had nothing but soggy rain all winter!! I’d welcome a bit of bright frost!! 😀
LikeLike
We had the sogginess last year, so I was glad to see some frost this winter 🙂
LikeLike
Where I live the winter rains have been suspended, so I was just thinking similar thoughts about our winter this morning. I really liked your words and thoughts here, Andrea…thank you for this lovely post. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Jet, we had snow this morning – hurray 🙂
LikeLike
Your writing is a delight to read. Yesterday and today we’ve had the kind of snow that is beautiful but not a hinderence. I love the way your winter is poised between still points. Your images draw pictures for me more real even that the photos. Thanks. ❤
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 This morning we had snow – proper fat flakes, but it’s all gone now.
LikeLike
Your beautiful post brings me back to all that I love about winter, and especially since we are not being assailed by all those horrendous storms of last year. I am delighted to see frost and breath in the cold air, it feels natural, orderly, right. And of course you describe it all so exquisitly. Thank you Andrea for bringing calm when I really needed to read this after the stressful time of late…and of reminding me that all the while, I am moving in the right direction, as the ice melts and the ripples keep moving. ‘Featherlight fingers dangling’…just so lovely…I love catkins 🙂 My bulbs are poking their green heads out too…so much llife to celebrate even if not quite in full view…I look forward to reading what is revealed from your Box of Dreams in the coming months to come Andrea 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Sherri, I hope you’re stress has melted away a little now. We had snow this morning so I was delighted, though it’s all gone now. I thought of you again yesterday, I was taking a walk through the park and suddenly noticed a robin sitting on a fence post watching me. He followed me for a few yards then disappeared 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh…how lovely, I’m glad you saw your robin again! And thanks again Andrea for your thoughts and good wishes. I am feeling a lot better this week than last, at last returning to normal…whatever that is, ha! And wonderful you had snow, if only for a short while. We haven’t had any yet, still hoping 🙂
LikeLike
Andrea, those seeds are definitely ready to germinate! I am full of anticipation to find out what’s inside them once they burst. I feel that you are thinking about them a lot and I am sure that box of dreams gets lots of attention from you. For me, the beauty of winter is to enjoy the unhurried pace, but with an eye towards the awakening that always follows. Every passing week and later, every day, I will start to feel more restive, in tune with the harbingers of spring. Thanks for your inspiring post and beautiful pictures.
LikeLike
Thanks Helga – these few weeks have most definitely been a pause, but I can feel inspiration beginning to stir again.
LikeLike
Beautifully observed as usual Andrea. Who’s the woman on the pedestal?
LikeLike
Thanks Roy. That’s the ‘wooden dolly’. Originally she was a ship’s figurehead, down on the fish quay and sailors would carve pieces from her to take to sea for luck. There were various replacements over the years and there is another one on the fish quay now that looks more like a figurehead. This one is a fish wife and was put in the town centre in the late fifties.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely thoughtful post. Thanks.
It’s crisp and clear here today and cold enough to chill the cheeks.. But sparrows and tits are investigating nest boxes and that spring energy is just waiting to burst through.
LikeLike
Thanks Jeremy. Snow here today, but it didn’t last, I don’t think it’ll be long before it really feels like spring.
LikeLike
Andrea gorgeous pics, I get the feeling when springtime comes around you will enjoy all the fruits of your labour. Not long now, one more month and I will be the one shivering once more.
LikeLike
Thanks Kath, hopefully so. And you’ll be able to count up your harvest!
LikeLike
Beautiful writing, Andrea. I can feel the frostiness and the breath taking cold air. It must be beautiful, though, especially when the sun shines.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 We’ve had a proper dusting of snow today Lynne, which I really enjoyed, though it’s all disappeared now.
LikeLike
Andrea, what an interesting take on this point of the year. I’d never seen it quite like this before as nature here by the sea is always about daily tides that don’t think in seasons.
However, I’ve known the kind of Winter and suspension you describe and those frozen, half frozen, melting ponds. Ripple forth!
LikeLike
Well, we have the best of both worlds Jean – parks in which I can mark the seasons and the sea not too far away at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is best of both worlds, for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve captured it perfectly, Andrea, in how it’s going this winter and how I feel. The dreams lie dormant though still feel a bit of stirring of life with the intermittent warmth and sunshine. So true with the feeling of having no desire to do anything with them. I have hopeful glimpses of creativity but, like you, for the most part I’m waiting for that ripple to set that off on their journey. Such a beautiful and well written post . . . poetic, actually, in depth and feeling. Thank You!
LikeLike
Thanks Pat, still waiting, we’ve had our dusting of snow this week, so it now feels as though winter is ending and spring is soon to arrive – we’ll wait and see if that ripple begins….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here, Andrea, in waiting for more snow. It’s been unseasonably warm (in the ’70’s in Denver) teasing us for spring. But, I know there’s much more winter to come before I can count on that. Like you, I’ll enjoy this time waiting for the ripple to begin. Hope I’m ready when it does. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve missed most of the heavy storms this winter, but it’s been colder than average and very gray. No early crocuses for us this year, I’m afraid. But the days are getting noticeably longer, and even if February stays gray, March should bring some real hints of Spring.
I’m thinking it won’t be long before those ideas of yours avail themselves of the lengthening days and give you the energy to help them burst forth.
LikeLike
Thanks JM, well the winter energy has been working for you so far, hopefully spring will give you even more of a writing boost 🙂
LikeLike
Andrea, I’m smiling at your beautiful photos of the natural landscapes you so kindly share with us! I think that inspiration will strike when it is ready and patience is of high value xxoo In the meantime, your beautiful words in this post are so appreciated!
LikeLike
Thanks Christy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just came back to read this one again, Andrea. Spring is now the one flirting with us 🙂 It’s almost here!
LikeLike
Thanks Christy, sorry I haven’t been around for a while, looking forward to catching up with you soon 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, you make me love this blog more and more every passing day! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
These photos and your description are so beautiful, Andrea. I really enjoy seeing how others spend their winter days!
LikeLike
Thanks Jack, that’s one of the great things about blogging, sharing experiences with others all over the world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I could have your winter right now! We have had over 3 feet of snow in a week’s time, with another foot predicted this weekend!
Beautiful words and pictures.
LikeLike
Thanks Kate – hope you’re not too snowbound. We had some snow this week, but it was only a dusting and there’s no sign of it now, but I know it gets frustrating when it stays around 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I feel that tension too in this between-season. The crisp frosty days have been a blessing after last year’s murk, but the Earth’s energy is moving again. We are several weeks from crocuses here though, so it is lovely to see yours!
LikeLike
Yes, it’s been much more wintry than last year, I’ve loved the frosty days, but it’s starting to feel like spring…
LikeLike
Beautiful photos.
Being totally American, I have to ask… What, exactly, is “Candlemas?”
LikeLike
Thanks Tracy. Candlemas is a festival on 2nd February. Pagans call it Imbolc, but I like the sound of the Christian version, which is Candlemas. This post tells you a little more about it: https://harvestinghecate.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/quickening/
LikeLike
Thank you, Andrea. I learned something new today, and I also understood why my husband said, a few days ago, that he could feel a breath of spring in the air. I thought he was just being his usual optimistic self, but he sensed a change…
LikeLike
I think we feel these things in our bodies or our souls if we can listen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea that you’re in “suspension”. The picture are so beautiful. I’m craving any color but white or ice blue despite loving winter as the pull of deep hibernation is hard to shake off when surrounded by snow and ice.
LikeLike
Thanks Letizia. We had our little bit of snow, but now I’m ready for spring – a lovely sunny day today, it feels as though winter is definitely over 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember feeling this way last spring – frozen and waiting while also feeling the spring energy begin to melt everything away. The snow is up to my waist here now so we’ll be frozen for a while longer. 🙂 Beautiful photos – enjoy that spring energy!
LikeLike
Thanks Sheila and I hope you’re not snowbound for too much longer, but enjoy the reading while it lasts!
LikeLike
That’s interesting. You’ve got crocuses and catkins and I’ve got none, yet you’re so much further north. I’ve had loads of frost, too. In fact, the ground has been extra hard this year, meaning that my last batch of parsnips on the allotment were impossible to dig up for a month, but were extra tasty once the ground freed them.
LikeLike
You know I always thought we were quite exposed being near the coast, but I think the fact that we’re on lower ground gives us some protection. The crocuses are almost isolated – I saw two purple ones in another park today, but in the rest of the park just lots of shoots, so there’s obviously something about those sites that has brought spring a little early!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m near the coast, too, but it’s quite exposed and hilly where I live. Also, we’re mostly on chalk, so maybe the soil makes a difference as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter’s frost is so pretty. It’s definitely a time for waiting and turning inward. We’re buried in about 4 feet of snow in the front yard. I had to shovel the front door out today. Just to free up an exit. Though If I must go out via the porch, I suppose I’ll just roll downhill through the 4 feet of snow. 😉
LikeLike
🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever had to shovel snow to create an exit! I seem to think we used to get more snow when I was younger, but maybe that’s rose-tinted spectacles 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures, Andrea! Great title too…Suspension…in between seasons 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Patrick 🙂
LikeLike