In The Depths

Albert Camus: In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

Mid Winter...the point where many people either flee the country for warmer climates or hunker down and try to get through the rotating snowstorms without expending too much effort wielding the snow shovel.

We're neither fleeing or hunkering...yes it's been bitterly cold. There was a snap happening...not the crisp green garden pea plucked from a green tendril kind of snap. It was alternating blowing wind, multiple power outages, chilling temperatures, and masses of snow that seem to be flummoxing even the most hardened Okanaganer's resolve.

That spell is over now...and here we are settling into the depths...

Watching the snow fall off in mini avalanches of fluffy meringue from the dark trees standing tall outside the ice-covered windows. Looking out at the snow covered landscape, where for a few days hardly anyone ventured out in the intense cold. The snow covered back roads covered with the white stuff, and empty of vehicles, except for the infrequent snowplow creating its misleading edge that were determined to suck in unwary drivers over the edge into snowmageddon and enforce long waits for tow trucks.

Wild birds of all sizes flock to the feeders gulping down a life-saving mouthfuls, huddling on snow covered branches above the feeder while Bella our grey tabby watches through the window with the open eyed stare of a child in front of their favourite TV show.

Our poor snowblower has been getting more high-intensity workouts than a January Gym.

There is so much snow that the garden has disappeared underneath it...raised beds covered with white quilts, pathways that I had been studiously digging out in the falling snow for a month or more now erased indefinitely by an over accumulation of the white stuff.

In the morning we find the long-toed footprints of raccoons who were wandering between my frozen kale beds...searching for birdseed to supplement their diet. And then footprints on the back porch left behind by a roaming neighbour's night kitty foolishly braving the -23 c temperatures have now melted...the memory of cold paws and his regret over demanding to be let outside must be lingering.

Sometimes the motion detector lights will flash in the night, startling Bella, who sleeps in the cold space between the window, and the insulated curtains...the twin glares of reflected deer retina glowing while they forage in the frozen salad bar of our compost.

In the depths...it's the least we can do for them while sitting in our warm cozy home. The stockpiled birdseed and suet cakes are scattered multiple times a day.

There are signs of the season moving forward,its in the change that can be seen in the pussywillows bare branches, tiny buds of white cracking open despite the cold. The light has changed lately it's somehow brighter at midday..the sweet glow of sun peeking between the grey clouds lifting our hearts.

Occasional sunny afternoons have been leaving pearl coated glows on our hearts...winter's a time to cozy up, but also to enjoy. There's snowshoeing and frosty walks, icicles, and winter covered mountains...it's all there for us to enjoy.

Jen @ Rural