THE PERFECT FEBRUARY STORM

 

A series of essays….

BREE LOVES BEING BY THE COZY FIRE
AND OFFERS HER CHEW TOY TO THE FIRE GODS…

….as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

It’s snowing—gently, and this has created a whiteout scenario looking out of our French door windows and stretching out to beyond the chain link fencing of the golf course to White’s Road on the course’s northern boundary. It’s beautiful! You might say the artistic effect is absolutely stunning!

SNOW IS ROLLING IN FROM THE FAR,
NORTHERN SIDE OF THE GOLF COURSE

The elongated trunks of the tall trees are painted a blotchy white on their northwest surfaces with the cold air and snow pushing into our community off of mighty Lake Michigan. The trees resemble the animals of the forest wearing winter coats and trying to blend in with their surroundings. Tree wounds (knots), crotches formed from larger limbs extending out from the main trunk, and the delicate filigree of wooden fingers created by the dainty branches naked and exposed by the disappearance of their protective leaves, accept the shimmering coat of snowfall with an abundance of grace.

Brave squirrels navigate the network of branches coated inches deep in snow and scratch their way across them in time warp speed while bursts of snow fly through the air and deplete the squirrel highways of their winter burdens. At least, temporarily. Today, Mother Nature is content to paint the fingerling branches in delicate white within moments of the high wire performance of each resolute critter chasing one another in furry leaps and scolding chatter from branch to branch. Looking high up into the treetops, this network appears endless.

THE SQUIRREL HIGHWAY IS AS 
BEAUTIFUL AS HANDMADE LACE

Yesterday, I observed a variety of twosomes out on the golf course. One consisted of a woman and her best friend gliding along the pristine snow, feet clamped onto cross-country skis, while four, snowy paws pranced behind as if the white substance it walked on was electrified! Ah, the freedom of the skis on the slippery surface bewitched me and I reminisced about gliding along with our two young daughters following us and navigating the long, narrow tracks made by our own skis. It was always about being a family and making an effort to relish and enjoy what a Michigan winter had to offer.

The snowfall fades in and out on a scale of whiteout heavy to moderate dusting. This morning, so far, no one has ventured out onto the golf course to craft virgin tracks while their Golden Retriever trots by their side. At what time does a fun sport transform into a point of survival? I believe it’s easier to sit inside sipping hot cocoa next to a roaring fire, best friend soaking up the warmth of the golden/blue flames, while you take advantage of a perfect ‘snow day’ in February. Tomorrow will always be another day with its own ideas of fulfillment.

Remnants of our summer herb wall float along in the silent breeze a few feet above the deck floor just beyond the French doors. Snow capped tables and stools look like enormous fungi encircled by magical fairies in the shape of bright blue pots filled with evergreen trees and frozen licorice plants that stiffly cascade down their sides. It makes me think of an Upper Peninsula waterfall in February all dressed up in its winter finery of snow and ice! 

HERB WALL, MAGIC MUSHROOMS, 
AND BRIGHT BLUE POTS

This is my morning view of summertime frolicking caught in the middle of a winter storm. The Weber grill, now covered in protective vinyl, sports a mantel of white snow that reminds me of my father’s Uncle Max, hair so thick and of the purest white I’d ever seen. I can almost smell the cherry aroma emanating from his expensive pipe and visualize the handsome profile of this stately man from my childhood. Suddenly, the bushy tails of several squirrels race along the power lines high above. Their scampering sends an elongated spray of snow down towards the ground that dissipates in midair long before reaching its destination.

Tonight we’ll create a roaring fire of our own in the living room fireplace replete with golden splendor and crackling sounds that will warm the weariest of souls. Our new puppy, Bree, will luxuriate in front of the bronze screen and be entertained for hours by the dancing flames, soaring pops, and shifting logs. All the while, she will keep a stern lookout for the remote control and try to hide it from us before we can push any buttons turning on the television. Bree is already learning how to expertly control our lives by making us conform to her playful wishes.

BREE IS SETTLING IN
FOR A WARM, WINTER’S NIGHT

Hot cocoa may or may not be on the menu tonight. We’ll just have to wait and see as we ride out this perfect storm. Tomorrow looks like it might be a mirror image of today. I will be looking forward, once again, to seeing the playful critters, a snow covered fairyland, and watching our puppy romp in the snow mounds in the front yard before coming back inside resembling a frozen ice age creature. Who knows—maybe my new cross-country friend and her beautiful Golden Retriever will grace me with another athletic glide up fairway number eight!

Copyright © 2022 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

Photos Copyright © 2022 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved