November Snow Brings Fresh Connection to Dry Creek

Patio lights through water droplets on the sliding glass door

It's been a long time since I've connected with this place.  Summer was long, hot & plagued with insects.  Between the heat, voracious grasshoppers and my poor health, my gardens suffered greatly.  Fall was dry and drab compared to the norm--trees choosing to go into a dry coma instead of fighting the heat that continued into late September.  October brought little relief.

For the first time, it was hard to write about this land.  I buried anger and disgust by blogging about  different times and places, not wanting to face a dream deferred. 

Tonight, walking back from the wood shed carrying logs though nine inches of fresh snow, the air damp and cold, the smell of smoke drifting down from the chimney, silence big and booming under dark expanse, I felt this place deep in my tissue again.

View of the house while walking back with firewood.

To be fair, I had a taste of winter a couple weekends ago.  It started off mighty but fizzled out before an inch had collected.  Still, it was a wonder standing at the window watching the patio lights bleed through water droplets on the glass.

Outdoor grill pad as seen through the back window

 

The house was cold and damp, a good reason for a hot drink, a good book and fire.

 

 

 

Everest slumbered while I watched Mountain Men, Camilla, his pug, taking advantage of him lounging around all day.

 

Everest and Camilla enjoying a snow day.

 

But tonight!--this is it, the real thing: WINTER.  With it, Dry Creek is vibrant, living, and in the spring will be green again--the churning, chalky white waters bringing life to both the forest, and via our irrigation system, the fields.

Nine inches of fresh snow
 

Let it snow, let it snow!