Deep Freeze

We've had some fairly extreme winter weather here this week; at a certain point last weekend there was even a blizzard warning nearby, although it didn't come to fruition. Last Sunday and Monday, the wind was howling through the Gorge with gusts to 65 MPH, which got to me emotionally ... a bit too much hurricane-like for comfort, plus it put the wind chill factor in the single digits.

The temperatures remained well below freezing for several days, with some dry snow on Sunday and Monday. The temps are a little warmer now (I never thought I'd refer to 30 degrees F as "warm"), with wet snow falling today and more snow and possibly freezing rain predicted for this weekend.

This is all still new to me. I'm still learning how things operate in winter weather ... what to wear when, how to drive, when it's safe to go out and when it's best to stay home, and how the weather patterns work (although I'm told this one is rather unusual.) I'm being pretty conservative about it  -- not taking any big chances, since I know how much I don't know, and asking for help when I need it -- but I'm already gaining some confidence. I feel like a baby learning to walk.

In the meantime, this has meant a lot of quiet time alone at home. Perfect winter solstice conditions, for contemplating and deeply letting go of the past, relaxing into the present, and preparing for the future. In a way, it seems almost like the "winter solstice" of my entire life, and perhaps the same holds true for the world. A sacred and powerful time.  At this moment, I feel stronger and clearer than I ever have.

The cats have been enjoying the snow, too. Malcolm in particular was beside himself on Sunday when the snow began to fall. That was during the windy period, so in addition to falling flakes, there was also blowing snow. It was a bit wild, to be honest, and Malcolm loved it. He was running from one end of the house to the other, racing from one window to another, sitting right up next to the window panes, getting cold and then jumping into the bed with me.

My home is heated by wall-mounted electric heaters. One of them runs along the baseboard underneath the big picture window in the living room, and you can probably guess what the cats' favorite place to sit and snooze is. That's Willow on the left and Lakshmi on the right.

The setting sun was making some beautiful light patterns on the snowy mountain ridges this afternoon, so around 4 PM, I went out onto my front deck to take some photos. At that moment a BNSF freight train passed by, heading up the Gorge toward the east.

Comments

[The Midlife Crisis Queen]

Lovely post! I hope you don't mind me talking about it on my blog and referring people here.
"The winter solstice of my entire life."
Lovely!

Laura Lee aka The Midlife Crisis Queen!

[Kitty]

Laura, thanks so much for stopping by, and for the kind words and mention on your blog. :)

Right now there is a blizzard going on outside my house, so it looks like my little Winter Solstice "celebration" is not complete yet. All I know is, I'm not going to be the same coming out of it as I went in.

[Kim Antieau]

Hi Kitty! Thanks for leaving a comment. Ooooh, your photos are beautiful. And taken from "my" old stomping grounds. Lovely. Happy Solstice! (My Kuan Yin and your Lakshmi should get together. :-) Ah, the train. It took me the longest time to get used to the trains--especially when they sat there with their engines idling and the windows in the house rattled. But I did get used to them, and I loved living there.

Stay warm,

Kim

[Kitty]

Thanks, Kim. :) And yep, fortunately I love trains. Most of the time, at least ....