What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. John Steinbeck
A few winters ago, we had not one but two record snowfalls. Of course, where I live almost any snowfall is a record.
Bundled up from head to toe, I took dozens of photos of the beauty of winter white. When I finally came inside, I couldn’t resist looking out the windows every time I walked by.
Snow is beautiful, but I'm grateful that it usually melts within a day or two here.
Even though I don’t like to be cold, I do appreciate the season of winter for several reasons.
For instance, trees and plants go dormant in winter to survive the cold. Then in the spring they grow new leaves, and their buds burst open and enthrall us. (Click here to read about a long, hard winter that ended with a special gift for me.)
Winter gives us an appreciation for the other seasons: the promise and new life of spring, the heat and play of summer, the color and crispness of fall.
In addition, the winter landscape itself can be stunning. Early in my writing career, I had the pleasure of interviewing Edith Henderson, the first female professional landscape architect in Atlanta. With an impressive list of credentials, including education, experience, and awards, she created new paths for women in the field (puns intended). And through her weekly newspaper column, she taught readers how they could make their own landscapes beautiful. I enjoyed my time with her, but what I remember most was what she said about winter.
Edith said that while everyone loves spring, she loved looking at the winter skyline, at the shape and form of the trees. It reminded her of a black-and-white pencil sketch. Because of their shape and branching structure, she could identify trees even at a distance without seeing their bark.
Winter branches against a deep blue sky. Spotted in a restaurant parking lot.
Edith wrote about winter in her book, Home Landscape Companion:
January is the truthful month…When deciduous trees lose their leaves they become immediate silhouettes, and some suffer by comparison…But beeches, maples, sourwoods, white oaks, and many others provide a handsome show all winter long. The cold months can be times of great beauty (Home Landscape Companion, 20).
Now, when I’m shivering in a wintry wind or longing for the sunny day, I remember to look at the silhouettes of the trees against the sky and, like Edith Henderson, appreciate the great beauty of winter.
Do you like winter? What is your favorite season? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Glimsen, where I share glimpses of the beauty around us in nature, the arts, and the unexpected. Click the blue button below to get weekly posts and occasional updates sent directly to your inbox, and you’ll also get a free gift of beauty as a thank you from me. Enjoy!
