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puzzle pieces

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Defying The White




I have been trying to defy each new winter day that shows up here.
This is my favorite method.


I walk out my back door,
don my skis,
and slide away as fast as possible...hoping to put winter behind me.


Don't get me wrong.
I love seasons- all of them.
But it does seem as though our winter tops them all.
For length.
And darkness.
And cold.
And that white stuff which is never-ending.




When your "colored pictures look like this:

       And your "black & white" like this:

Well....it's sometimes hard to think that my world isn't just black and white.
(If we were talking about moral issues.....black and white is the way to go.)
But when it's my "walk-out-the-door" world.....sometimes black and white gets old.


And it doesn't seem like I'm alone out there.
A wonderful person, Heather~~~(from Bellarosabikes), who I've met through blog~land, 
is somewhere out there trying to defy these winter months as I. 
And her, if "you can't beat it~~~join in" attitude is one I hold on to.


So for the next, oh.....3 or 4 months.....
(***given Alberta's past record on winter-longevity, 
  **the looks of the piles of snow out my door, 
    *oh- and the 40km winds that are to begin this morning bringing more snow       
      and a cold front through....)
we have this white stuff to defy.


Bring on the ice skating......








  









Good hockey games down at the lake.






{Let's defy another
long winter of white.}







Mile runs down my gravel road, 
watching yet another winter day make its appearance.....
Each day can be a beautiful thing.

{Regardless of never-ending white.....}
(sigh)

44 comments:

Judy said...

I noticed that the other day with my photos. There was barely a difference between color and b&w. I don't mind the winter months, but I do have to keep up a good attitude when the months start to get too long. Pond hockey, that's all my boys used to play in the winter.

Changes in the wind said...

I have the best of both worlds yours through your pictures and me in mild weather. I do love the pictures though and especially like the birdhouse one.

carmilevy said...

Growing up in Montreal, I vividly remember feeling a twinge of excitement every time the weather folks forecast another storm. As soon as enough snow had fallen, I'd bundle up in layers of winter clothes - parkas with snorkel-like hoods, balaclavas, massive boots, snow pants, the works - and head outside. The goal: enjoy the worst that Mother Nature could throw at us.

I did this with the curiously delightful defiance of a child. Your delightful entry reawakened that memory in me: How sweet it is to know that the feeling hasn't died in adulthood.

As I write this, my now-adult-sized winter gear - Columbia parka, Sorel boots, huge mitts from my dad - waits in the storage bench in the front vestibule. The dog needs his walk, so I'll be back out there in a few. Thanks, Dawn, for injecting such great spirit into our Canadian winters.

(BTW, love how you've reflected the tendency for winter to wipe color out of a scene. I've touched on it so often in my own photography, too! Cool how optics work, eh?)

Jayne said...

OK, well... this Southern girl (through and through) is shivering just LOOKING at your photos... lol. Here, three months of real winter (Dec/Jan/Feb) is about all we get, and rarely below, say 25-30 degrees. :c) Guess I'd just be frostbit all the time!

Leah J. Utas said...

Yes, each day can.

TexWisGirl said...

Loved the b&w vs. color shots! Had to pull my hubby over to look at them too. :) You have such a wonderful spirit! In order to get thru that winter, I guess you'd have to!

Farm Girl said...

Even though I have no snow to compare with, I do have fog and only black and white days, and I have tried the same thing, I go outside and I walk and try and do the things I would if it were warm. Except wearing a coat.:) If I lived there I would wear my ice skates and do that too. I always feel like it is a bit harder to make winter my friend, but I still try anyway. Lovely pictures.

Out on the prairie said...

You have a longer season than most of us. I think I saw spring is 71 days away in a recent blog. It was 40 here yesterday, but we are getting a dusting today. Last year with over 6ft of the white stuff I fled to Padre Island. Hey, looking for someone who wants a guide!Look it up if you haven't been there, no roads, you drive down the beach with a 4 wheeler, camp where you want.

LBB said...

The amount of darkness in winter is what bothers me. But I try to remember how fun sleding, ice skating & snow ball fights are. It helps a
little ....so does the hot chocolate with whip cream & tons of marshmallows!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Dawn I LOVE your winter wonderland
I grew up with tons of snow in the north and now miss it so much living in the south...but I do know that winters can seem so long when you are in them..
love that you ski from your front do...how about a cross country skii instead of a walk???

love and light

Inger said...

Growing up in Sweden, I remember endless winters like that.But they brought with them the joy of skiing and skating so we tackled them much like you do now. Here in the mountains, snow comes and snow goes. There are patches left from the last storm and you see much snow on the higher mountains. I think I may have the best of both worlds, except for the resulting MUD!!--Inger

Unknown said...

When I look at your photographs Dawn, I seems to me that you live in wonderland.
Costas

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, dear Dawn!!! I have missed U so much!!! We got home late yesterday night from our holidays!
Beijos!! Bela

Alli said...

I'd love to appreciate the winter the way you do! I just don't know if I can bring myself to do it. :) You can ski in your backyard? that's pretty cool! Skiing is fun but the lifts terrify me so that winter sport is sort of out of the question... Beautiful photos.

Rambling said...

You have a good attitude to go out and enjoy it - but I agree, winter is the toughest month. I used to love to skate and ski but now I'm getting lazy and like to stay warm ... I need to think younger like you do!

bon bon said...

love the skis shot! and your color/bw comparison is a poignant one. God's argument for evergreens, i suppose. ;o)

beautiful header image as well! a joyous new year to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

A Desert of snow..
I like that picture with that row of trees..and that streak of orange and violet..Beautiful!

Pat Tillett said...

As long as you have to be in it, you might as well find a way to enjoy it! It just looks COLD to me...

GREAT photos and post! Thanks...

Unknown said...

Nothing beats winter better than enjoying what it has to offer. For a kid who hated winter, it never lasts long enough now. Now if only we could get a little snow. We didn't have one snowfall last year that was deep enough for putting on the skis and so far this year is a repeat. Thank goodness for the pond!

~Andrea~

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Winter is tough. You seem like you've got a handle on it, though.
After realizing I'd run 70% of my mileage on the treadmill last month, I just ordered one of those dvds you watch on the treadmill that makes it look like you're running through some scenic place. I chose American Southwest. Can't wait to try it out! I am just a little worried though that the video runner will jump over a ledge and I'll forget I'm on a treadmill and fall off ;-)

Nancy said...

Getting out and doing something, anything, each day is a great way to kick Winter's long days behind you quicker than quick.

I am laughing, though, that my post is the direct opposite thought in comparison. ;)

Sage said...

We're finally getting enough snow to ski... The x-country skis are in the back of my truck waiting

Carole Barkett said...

great observations on the dreariness of winter, and so true the only way to survive is to get out and enjoy it anyway you can, my daughter moved to Vancouver Island this winter. They get the darkness without snow to brighten up the days. Just non-stop rain. :O)

Deb said...

beautiful..but I'm glad its with you and not here in Texas...

Randy said...

Love the first photo but that line of trees just so stunning. I just love winter and the beauty it brings.

Rick said...

Oh I like the contrast between your coloured and b&w photos - very subtle ! ;-)

I recall Alberta winters - they never had a defined start or end. In '92 we had one start in August, another year it started in mid-Sept with 15cm of snow. Then we'd have a chinook with 20C in January ! Crazy.

Enjoy Florida - a change is as good as a rest, right ?

Michelle said...

Beautiful shots and I would love to be skiing.

Birdman said...

I love all your shots, for many different reasons. The text works too.

vintch said...

it is totally, totally awesome that you can just walk out your door and go skiing:) and, i love the idea of running outside on days like that. so pretty and still:)

p.s. i tagged you in an awards post, sweet friend!

Jo said...

I don't know how you do it. It's snowing again here in North Carolina and we are all sick to death of the white, sloppy mess. It's pretty at first, but it gets old quick.
I love the colored vs. b/w photo comparison up there. Clever. And true.

Gerreke said...

The first picture is real great!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy I found your blog, it's delightful! I found it through vintch today from her post!! I really look forward to reading more of this lovely blog of yours and learning more about you! Happy Friday!!

Hope said...

wonderful post as usual, Dawn. love the photo's. the contrast between black/white and color is truly depicted as minimal. at least we have the increasing daylight hours to look forward too

have a happy weekend!

Tracy said...

Dawn, I know what you mean...which is why we left Ohio and that's nothing in comparison. Now NC is getting its share as well, so I guess enjoy it while it lasts!

The tree line with the sun behind it is wonderful...

floweringmama said...

Isn't it odd how each person views winter? At first I look forward to it, but then the dreary, gloomy, grey skies get to me and I am itching for spring again.

Jack said...

It looks like you have had to settle in for a Looooonnnnggg winter.

Discovery Street said...

i don't think i could ever brave a winter like that...kudos to you for your great attitude!

Lynette Jacobs said...

I would just go into hibernation;-D

I can believe the snow and cold can get to you..but it sure makes for stunning photographs...the sky is such a pretty color.

Arti said...

The pics are Awesome especially the last one... Loved them all, a very beautiful place... Though a bit cold!!
Have a nice day:)

Alisa Noble said...

Beautiful!
It would be nice to have a couple of weeks of lovely white snow.
Here in north Texas we might be getting our first "winter mix" tomorrow. Which more than likely means a little bit of ice that will melt within 24 hours.
Yesterday it was a gorgeous day here with temps in the 60s.
Have a great weekend.

Full-On-Forward said...

BEAUTIFUL Blog Dawn!!!

Jimmy is awesome is he not??

John

Full-On-Forward said...

I don't know why my pic doesn't show up on certain blogs! Sorry!

J

Jordanna said...

Oh wow, gorgeous pictures Dawn! I always have thought it would be so fun to live somewhere like you live, but I can see how it might get a little old after awhile (or months!). Keep smiling and finding the little things to bring you joy :) Love your spirit!

Jordanna said...

Would you mind if I used one or two of your pictures on my blog? Of course I will link to you and give you all the credit! :)) They are just SO beautiful!!