Frozen in Winter...

Sometimes art is truly about catching something at the right moment...before anything changes, the sun shifts, or in this case the ice melts! I was driving past a building I have seen countless times, admiring its design as I often do, when I noticed something different. Outlining the entire front facade were hundreds of icicles. I immediately had to find a spot free of snow so I could jump out of my car without causing any major traffic problems (fortunately it was a slow time of day...) and take a picture.

From a distance the icicles didn't seem too imposing, but up close they looked much larger - and a little more dangerous! Even though it was hovering around 15 degrees, I was anticipating one of these large spikes of ice to loosen from the building and come crashing to the sidewalk. I am always certainly interested in capturing the perfect image, but have not been inclined to risk my life to do so - I have never been one of those dare-devil videographers/photographers. Fortunately for me, in this case, standing directly underneath the ice would not have afforded the best view! I was able to grab a great picture without endangering myself or the camera.

What is it about ice that seems to amaze bystanders? Is it the way light is reflected? Maybe the unique shapes that are formed as the water or snow freezes?

As I mentioned earlier, I have always been a fan of this particular building because of its contrasting textures and variety of color. On this particular winter day the icicles seem to add another dimension: a moment frozen in time. The first person to whom I showed this picture (yes, call it a sneak peak) said it looked like the water ran down the arch in between each brick and formed on the edge of the building. In its effort to travel down the brick facade and form a puddle on the sidewalk, the water was stopped midstream by sub-zero temperatures. Instead, it began to freeze in shapes that seem to reflect the building from which it originally fell.

Even though on the day I took this photo the sun was bright and shining, a reminder of the precipitation from days earlier was still hanging amongst the colored tiles of each pillar...waiting for a warmer day when it would finally be set free. Unless warm temperatures arrive soon, these icicles could become so long that they might actually come close to touching the sidewalk!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

In the Middle of Winter...

Winter is definitely in full force, much to many people's dismay. A good number of residents of the Mid-Atlantic woke up this morning to an icy, sloppy mess! Unfortunately, mornings like that are not much fun at all. At least if snow falls the roads and sidewalks are a little easier to clear. When freezing rain falls and the temperature drops, after some snow has already fallen, shoveling becomes even more of a workout than normal. This morning was one of those days. In the midst of clearing ice off my car I thought back to last week when I was cleaning off snow instead and the picturesque White Pine. I realized how unfair I was to tell everyone how pretty that particular tree is after a snowfall, but to have never shared a picture. Well, here you go - at least part of it!

I know finding beauty in the middle of a cold, icy day is not always easy. All you can usually think about are dangerous driving conditions and wet socks after having trudged through a sloppy, ice-filled parking lot. Last week when I took this photo everything was different. As you can see the sky was bright blue and the sun was helping to warm things up a little. This morning however, as I stood in a jacket and pants that were completely soaked, I tried to find some sort of "natural beauty" on a damp, cold day...the ice did look pretty as it crystallized on the bare tree branches and all of the grass appeared to have been transformed into a skating rink over night, but nothing compared to the White Pine covered in snow. I told myself that once the sun comes out (either tomorrow or the day after) everything will have a much more pleasing appearance...and the moment when I was drenched from head to toe would have passed.

So many people already are telling me that they are sick of winter and I feel a little bad for them. In their effort to rush through one season in order to arrive at the next they are missing everything right now! Nature aside, isn't it fun to watch all of the neighborhood kids make little snow jumps in the front yard and then slide down on their boards; or the occasional snowman adorned with the local professional sports paraphernalia; or the laughter coming from an afternoon snowball fight (either children or adults!). Winter may be cold and messy sometimes, but there is still a lot to enjoy!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

On a Winter Morning...

I started the morning out by shoveling snow and cleaning piles off my car. Although my neighborhood did not receive as much snow as originally forecast, there was still enough that it could not be ignored. In the midst of shoveling I was constantly distracted by the beautiful scenery created by the midnight snowfall. Everywhere I turned there was a different snowscape glistening in the sun! When I was finally done clearing away all of the snow I took out my camera, tuned out the sounds of plows and snowblowers, and was finally able to capture some of the snow-covered serenity.

There is a particular tree nearby that always catches my attention every time there is a snowfall. It is a white pine (don't be fooled, it's only by chance that I know this particular species) so the branches never appear very strong; they are somewhat thin and are covered with even thinner needles The snow usually piles up on the needles and then each branch starts to bend down toward the ground - sometimes so far that it looks like it is going to snap in half. In an effort to prevent the tree from losing any limbs, I usually walk over and clear off some of the snow, allowing the branches to, once again, sway in the cold winter air. This morning, however, the white pine was not in serious trouble, so I was able to enjoy the beauty of the snow nestled peacefully on the branches.

There is something very "wintery" about pine needles and snow: the contrasting colors which have become associated with the cold months, reminders of trudging through a tree farm in search of a perfect Christmas tree, the fragrance that snow seems to draw from the wood and help pass into the air, and on this particular morning, the way the sun danced between the needles and lit up the snow! Even though my feet were starting to go numb (I guess I didn't wear thick enough socks) and I was ready for a cup of anything hot, I could have stood under that tree for another hour. I wanted to enjoy the sunlight streaming through every snow-covered branch as it glowed against the bright blue sky. What a wonderful way to start the day!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Sitting and Waiting...

You may be looking at this picture right now and thinking that you have seen enough Evergreen trees over the past month because of Christmas. Isn't there anything else around worthy enough of a photo? Truth is, these trees were not grown with the intent of being decorated with lights and tinsel, but rather to be planted in someone's yard! So, what inspired this unseasonal photo in the middle of winter...plenty!

In the midst of a cold, gray winter everyone needs a little inspiration - a push to keep them going to the warm, colorful days of Spring. As I was driving by a local nursery I noticed this row of vibrant Evergreens lined up along the road. They were all so green and fresh, the perfect addition to any landscaping. I immediately started thinking about Spring time and when these trees would finally be buried in the ground permanently. I was truly surprised at each tree's appearance: despite the cold temperatures and snowfalls that have passed through the area, everything looked fairly unscathed. I was reminded of the strength and resiliency of youth! If I had not known the date, just looking at these trees I would have figured it was April and they were going to be planted the next day.

Amazingly, this time of year you can also see other signs of warm weather:

How many of you have walked through a department store and seen bathing suits or shorts hanging on the rack?

Have telemarketers started harassing you about booking your summer vacation?

How many clearance shelves are full of winter sporting gear and accessories, with baseball equipment and sandals taking over the prime locations?

Even though the return of greener surroundings is still nearly three months away, the thought of Spring was very enticing the day I took this photo! I love winter for its cold, crisp days; peaceful, early morning snowfalls; and warm layers; however, after months of gray grass and empty trees I think colorful, new blossoms will be a welcome sight. Ironically, I feel like the last leaf just fell off the remaining tree and I am already looking for its return!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?