When the Snows Come
My husband and I sit in our living room with all the little still-intact dairy barn windows showing flakes falling as if we are on ship at sea in a snowfall. Except for the high ceiling the living room has the feeling of a ship cabin, our converted dairy barn, and I think it is most beautiful when the snow is falling.
The glass doors at the pentagon of the far end of the barn gives us perfect view of the suet bird feeder. The bird feeder in winter is our television. We watch male cardinals, bright red in the stark white, feed and contend with the beautiful, bullying blue jays. And the more modest and gentle little juncos and sparrows touch our hearts with their humility.
Like many barns, ours was built near the road so we do get some traffic noise. But in the meadow out back beyond the marsh and stream, we are far removed from the road and from all. And when it snows, it is so beautiful in the quiet, looking at the animal tracks and feeling the spirits in the nearby now-graveless graveyard. Our secret little piece of Paradise. And to stand there in the silence, in the virgin white, and see the abstract patterns of the snow on the surrounding hundreds of trees is Divine.
The snow up here in Northern Georgia, was wonderful to see especially for the children…it was a nice change. Your pictures are wonderful my sister! God bless!
January 7, 2017 at 11:02 PM
Yes, snow can bring such joy, especially for dogs and children. Thanks for writing in and God bless you!
January 8, 2017 at 8:58 AM
“…as if we are on ship at sea in a snowfall” there’s such a dreamlike inclusive impossibility and peace about this, the snow gently falling. And the photos too, coming at the end of the piece, seem to convey something about the feeling of being indoors and seeing snow falling out there through the window. Thanks Ellen for posting. The snowy landscape is a memory for me now, the house in England, and also Switzerland where we lived for a few years. The snow outside and an indoors feeling, warmth from heating and a coziness.
January 8, 2017 at 3:01 AM
Yes, some of the most precious life moments happened there in that little barn. Thanks, Tiramit, for your lovely reminiscences.
January 8, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Beautiful Ellen. I keep waking up in hope… Just an odd snowfall would be nice. Ani loves the snow.
January 8, 2017 at 3:40 AM
Thank you, Sue! So no snow yet, eh. We have only had a little. It is a very poignant post to rewrite because we are putting our house for sale come Spring. Hope you and Ani get some white stuff!
January 8, 2017 at 8:53 AM
No, nothing yet… we get very little here as a rule and some winters, none at all. Enjoy your last winter where you are, Ellen xx
January 8, 2017 at 9:43 AM
Thank you, Sue. Really, no snow. I always imagine your walks as snowy. One post sticks in my mind, one walk you took in improper footwear that didn’t protect your feet. Thought it was snow but may have been rain. xx ellen
January 8, 2017 at 10:46 AM
I will, undoubtedly, have been snow…and rain…and any other inclenment weather you can think of. I am seldom appropriately shod 🙂 xx
January 8, 2017 at 11:25 AM
This looks and sounds so idyllic. Love your photographs, Ellen.
January 14, 2017 at 2:59 AM
In some ways, it is idyllic, Richard. Beautiful and serene and close to God. It will be hard to give up. We are selling come Spring but it will always be in our memories. Thanks for writing such kind words, Richard!
January 15, 2017 at 10:00 PM
Such pure and deeply felt beauty of our existence….thank you dear ( deer ) Ellen ….love
February 21, 2017 at 9:52 AM
Deer, dear Meg, Thank you for your beautiful words. Are you okay? Haven’t seen a post from you in a long, long time. <3<3 ellen
February 21, 2017 at 12:12 PM