I've felt the coldness of my winter

I've felt the coldness of my winter
I never thought it would ever go. I cursed the gloom that set upon us...
But I know that I love you so

 Thank you Led Zeppelin (The Rain Song).


It is still winter, but the nude Icelandic ladies gave me a boost and hope for the spring. The beauty here is often stark when you are outside, but you must revel in it to really appreciate what comes later. One day it warmed up to a few degrees below freezing and a south wind blew in from the lake creating a hoarfrost. (as always, click on the pic for a larger view)

Here is what it looks like up close.

Even on the way to work I drive by the harbor in our little nearby town that looks like the north coast of somewhere in the northern hemisphere and that cold, bleak beauty shows itself. With a little wind it feels like someone sticking tiny needles in your exposed skin. Nudity seems like an absurd idea, even when you are running outside naked after a hot sauna. Cutting a hole in the ice to jump in seems like a death wish. Here is the harbor.

That seagull should have flown south months ago like most of the snowbirds. Of course, the seagull doesn't have something that I do. Even getting out of the car when I get home I catch a welcoming fragrance in the air. The vent is blowing warm oven air out into the cold evening and I walk in to find a welcome surprise.

Nothing like warm, homemade sourdough bread to warm your innards, and the cockles of your heart.