Every year since we moved to Portland we can count on some snow, maybe a lot once, twice if we are lucky. For me this occasion is perfect bliss. The minute I can see it is going to stick, I get ready for a long walk. Only rain was predicted for today, but when I went for my usual early morning walk, I came home with my hands partly frozen even though I was wearing gloves. Around 2 PM as I ran in the grocery store for a few things, I looked up and saw some snow flakes, just a few. By the time I came out to my car, five or so minutes later, it looked like a blizzard.
I opened our upstairs bedroom window so my Willie could enjoy the beauty!
By the time it was sufficiently sticking, I knew it was time to head out the door for my snow-walk. I headed up to my favorite park, Mt Tabor. Few people were out, and cars were slipping and sliding, a few city buses were stranded. No one was prepared. The weather forecast had been for rain with no snow in sight.
When I reached the top of Mt Tabor I heard voices and saw a few couples with dogs or kids playing in the snow. On my hike down it was quiet and devoid of people save one lone bicyclist heading up the road to the reservoir. I stopped and took a few photos.
When I was little and living on the east coast in upstate New York, we used to spend our summers in Oregon visiting family. My cousin lived with this park in her back yard and we used to go up to Mt Tabor and walk around the reservoir pretending we were in another world, a castle in the sky.
Two hours later I arrived home to find the garden and house much more beautiful than when I had departed. Snow was gently perched on every bush, fence, and framework. I felt that a little peace of heaven came to visit and truly warm my heart with its magic crystals.
Some wishes are granted.
In a few hours I will go out and go for a late night walk around the block before heading to bed. I can never get enough of this blanket of white that comes so infrequently. It is when one realizes the best things in life are often ephemeral, melting away to be replaced by memory.
Oh what fun! I hope we get a bit more snow this year….
I think you get the chance for snow on a more regular basis than we do here. I noticed that when you had your snowfall, you also were out relishing the moment and the beauty. Your photos were full of that same softness and magic.
Phyllis, I love how your “little kid” is alive and well in your adult body. You should have been inside sewing on your outfit and where were you? out in the snow, not once but twice, and no sewing got done, I bet! Love it!
Lucky you, the snow missed Olympia.
Julia, you are so right!! I was telling my husband when I returned that my planned day of sewing was zilch! Why? Because I simply cannot stay inside when the snow is falling. Unfortunately, I did not plan for “snow days” when I started all the sewing for the wedding. I suppose this means I will be keeping the fires burning late into the night. It is okay. My frolic in the snow could not be thwarted, but you were reading my mind for the guilt I felt for a short time. Tomorrow I will have to be disciplined ALL DAY LONG! I am about to take my late night walk in the snow before bed.
Your pictures are lovely, soft and “quiet”.
I live where it snows and I always marvel
at the beauty of it. Somehow, it quiets the world.
I like the idea of a “snow walk”.
Very beautiful!
: )
Snow definitely quiets the world and what a lovely expression that is. I am sure if you get snow on a regular basis it becomes a little tiring. We hardly every see snow here, once every winter, so it is a special day when it arrives.
How lovely the snow looks and that photo of the corner of the reservoir looks like something out of Dickens. If I wanted to see snow, I had to travel to see it. As a result, I enjoy the warmth because that is what I am used to but the photos are so enticing and romantic that it is easy to see the attraction.
I did not think of Dickens, but it certainly is reminiscent of that. I love old iron gates. These reservoirs do take a person back in time.
Beautiful pictures – you really captured the feeling of walking in a magical landscape. I live quite a bit further north of Portland, but we haven’t had much snow at all – the Georgia Straight keeps us warm.
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. It was very thoughtful and comforting.
Your welcome, Heather. Life sometimes can feel a little harsh. I will have to go to a map and see where you live.
I love the photos and your words describing snow. It is so nice to see it appreciated so much too. I admire your walks in the snow, I like to look out the window.
Looking out the window can be good too. I am a walker so I find a walk takes me to the places and feelings I like to visit. When I return, I feel so invigorated.
Beautiful post Mom. I can see I come by my love for these snowy moments honestly.
True. How could you not love the snow? Glad you have developed this love in your children as well.
Thank you for sharing your snowy story and pictures. We have been skipped over, so far, with all the snowy forecasts, here north of Tacoma. So I will enjoy your snow day instead!
But if you should see the Blue Moon Thursday night, will you take a picture for me?? We might be under a cloud blanket.
It is cloudy here too. Very rainy all day. The snow is gone replaced by lots of rain. No blue moon.
Oh, I am wishing for one snow, too! But it has been years since we have had a real snowfall here in Austin. I will enjoy the photos of your snow-walk instead. I love your little angel, holding out (or so it seems) a tray of snow. I’m probably imagining that! But snow makes everything magical, doesn’t it? I love how you set aside your plans to play in the snow! xo Kari
Austin? My husband was born and raised in Navasota, Texas, and he had five nieces that went to the University of Texas. I have not been to Austin, but from everything I hear it sounds like a great place to live.
Yes the angel was actually holding out some snow. I need to figure out how to get my photos to magnify. Snow does make everything very magical. I spent many hours sewing yesterday so I made up for my lost snow day. It was worth it!
Navasota? That is just a handful of stones away from Austin! I am always amazed at how interconnected we all really are, for I lived in Mendocino when I was in my twenties, and once in Elk, and once in Caspar, and two years in Berkeley, and I love your part of the world. I took a long trip in a VW camper up Highway 101 to Eureka, and then half up the coast of Oregon, and once I almost lived in Eugene, but I never made it as far as Portland. I love love love the little house behind a house that you have in Mendocino!
Yes, what a narrow world we live in, as we all seem interconnected in many ways. Now I am wondering how you came to live in Texas. They (my husband’s family) say that Austin is the Berkeley of Texas. I wonder if you think this is true as well. I think you would like Portland very much. Lots of creative spirit here and the people are great. We are a very green city as well. My little house behind the main house in Mendocino is what I miss most when we are away. Maybe you can visit someday!
I forgot to mention that Willie Boy has a very cute profile!
Oh thank you! He is such a sweet, loving boy kitty. I love him so much it hurts. I am sure you can relate to that!
Yes, I have thought that exact comparison, that Austin is the Berkeley of Texas! I was born in the small town of Freeport, Illinois in 1943. My father moved us to Dallas when I was two, but I got to spend several summers in Freeport with my grandmother in her storybook two-story house. The first time I saw Austin, when I was in my teens, it reminded me of Freeport. It felt like home immediately. I went to UT at Austin, then spent ten years “on the road,” and when I finally settled down, I returned to Austin which had been home to me in my mind for so long. I had a similar “home” feeling about both Eugene, Oregon, and Boulder, Colorado. I suspect I would love Portland, too!