I’ve been thinking about selecting a good topic to discuss this January, but the grey sky, wind chills, and snow are like a blizzard in my brain, obscuring creativity. Some days, when the sun shines on new snow, however, my mind clears and I appreciate that nature is beautiful.
Many other days are gloomy when the sky is grey, the fields are grey, and even the trees’ brown bark looks grey. On those days, just a smidge of sunshine through the clouds pinpointing a building is charming. The scene visually and emotionally brightens the day.
I don’t want to wish away a quarter of my year hiding from cold and waiting for spring. I venture outside at least twice a day to feed horses, barn cats, and check other critters. The sound of horses snorting as they munch prairie hay improves my mood.
Sometimes, the very act of walking in crisp January air is invigorating in unexpected ways. It’s possible to experience beauty in a brief glimmer of the sun at a particular time of day at a specific location. For example, indoor Christmas lights reflected on this wishing well in late afternoon to create an unusual effect. I would have missed this moment if I stayed indoors.
Sunrise is often inspirational in winter, just as finding the photos to create this blog inspires me to spend more time outdoors today, and in the days ahead. These unexpectedly beautiful moments help me be less worried about cold weather. Happy January everyone!
LLZ Ranch 