Sometimes, just sometimes, winter is magical

Most of the time, winter in the city looks like this:
That was the start of our big melt, mid-past week. A slushy, icy mess that makes walking a dangerous challenge.

And winter looks like this (we got walloped Friday night and Saturday morning, with at least a foot of snow):
 The cars below are dwarfed by the snowbanks!
But sometimes, just sometimes, winter is magical and looks like this (click to enlarge):
 The poles (?) below look like iced-over ducks to me!
I had errands in the west end this morning, and though it was minus 23C and I whined (to myself) about it, I forced myself to go out. I bused to the nearest Starbucks for a chai latté, then took my time and walked the rest of the way to the big box store complex, detouring via my favourite little park. So, so worth it. The paths weren't plowed, but a few others had tramped through the snow before me, so I just followed in their footsteps, seeing lots of critter tracks, especially rabbit. (Lots of rabbit poop too, under the trees.) No one but the critters had actually ventured down to the creek, though, so I cut my own path there.  :-)

I love this little oasis, the sound of flowing water feeds my soul in ways I can't even articulate. And today, with everything snow and ice-covered, it truly was magical.

I hope you've found something magical this weekend too!

Peace.

P.S. I uploaded a 30-second video of the creek to my  Google Drive, if anyone is able to/wants to access (not sure if it will play properly, though): 

Comments

The photos are beautiful! Glad you braved the cold to see all of it.
Ear scritches to the boys =)
John Bellen said…
It's probably not a coincidence that winter looks magical in a rural setting and...less so, in an urban environment. Before it's trod upon, and or sprinkled with dirt or gravel, a cityscape can look attractive under snow, but it doesn't stay. I much prefer the latter photographs. I can well understand why you love the little bit of countryside in your city.

(And that first picture shows a stretch that's bad for bicycling, as well as walking: messy in the afternoon when it's thawing and hazardous to impossible in the night and mornings when it's frozen. Only two more months - chronologically - until spring!)
BeadedTail said…
Ick on the snow in the city but the snow in the park is beautiful! It looks so peaceful. We've had no snow yet this year and I wouldn't be sad if we don't get any at all.

Thank you for the positive thoughts about Angel. I appreciated them very much.
Annie Bear said…
Oh, that truly is magical! I admire you. I don't go out when it's that cold. I think it's wonderful that you did and saw all the winter beauty in the park.
meowmeowmans said…
You're right, Kim. Sometimes Winter is magical! Your photos attest to that, and I will try to remember the next time I feel like complaining about the snow and ice. :)

I loved that video!

Hugs to you and the boys.
Poppy Q said…
We always think that snow looks pretty, but we don't have to live with it. We admire you tough folks that go to work and the shops in such weather.

Julie and poppy Q
Kea said…
Actually, it was lovely yesterday. Cold, but no wind, and plenty of sunshine. I'm glad I went out!
Kea said…
After this winter, spring better show her face early in our region!
Kea said…
Thanks for stopping by! I hope Angel is back to normal, will check blogs asap!

I wouldn't be sad if we didn't get any snow, either. LOL. Not the case this year!
Kea said…
I feel better when I do bundle up and get out into the fresh air. And then too, if I don't go out, the cats don't get their food and neither do I. LOL.
Kea said…
Oh, I'll still complain about the snow and ice! :-P

Glad the video could be accessed!
Kea said…
It's whatever you get used to...even if you don't like it. :-D
Cat Lover said…
Morning Kim, what wonderful photos! There is so much beauty out there this time of year. Glad you got out and found it! The video was lovely. On our long walk I love to hang over a bridge and watch the water tumble down a small waterfall. So pretty. I hope to get out today and take a few photos. I see by the end of the week we are to be quite mild.
Have a good day.
Kea said…
Oh, do take pics! You need to grab your little camera and take it with you, Robin, when you for your walks. Never know what you'll find! :-)
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
It is so pretty ... in the photos! I can't imagine what it is like to have to live in it on a daily basis throughout the winter. But it is definitely oh so pretty.
You are so brave to venture out! Our mom won't even venture out and she has a car! Such beautiful pictures!
Kea said…
And I can't imagine what it's like to live with destructive hurricanes. It's all in what you get used to, really. Though this winter will live in memory for its prolonged bitter cold.
Kea said…
If I had a car I'd like be at one of our two conservation areas every weekend, or certainly as often as possible! :-)
Dan said…
Hello, I found my way here by way of the ‘Crafty Gardener’s’ blog. I enjoyed looking at your photographs and the video was treat as well. The outdoors no matter the season or location reveals many magical things. A keen observer as yourself found and shared an urban treasure.
Thank you
Kea said…
Thanks for stopping by. Your photography is amazing!
Saku said…
Wonderful photos Kim! I so agree with you that when there is water it restores the soul. At this time of the year, everything here is frozen over though.

Hope the snow melts quickly and doesn't go through the freeze thaw cycle we seem to be getting this year. We're still in the deep freeze but it is supposed to be above freezing on Thursday. Crazy weather!
Kea said…
Considering our prolonged bitterly cold temps, I was surprised the water still was running. Maybe because of the thaw last week. We're supposed to have rain this weekend, then a freeze again, so our winter weather is doing the same as yours. We've just been walloped with more snow than we've had in recent years, in a short span of time, and longer cold spells too. No snow in Halifax! Usually they get walloped in January and February, but so far nada. Crazy weather indeed! (And what would we Canadians talk or write about, if not for the weather? LOL.)
Kim...I'll give you credit for the flowing water snap shots because they are awesome;
but only until I walk outside here in a few because we are back to negative numbers !! :) ♥♥
Kea said…
We're still in negative numbers. LOL. Well, except for those few days last week. But it's not minus 20 or 30 C now, so that's great. One day closer to spring!!!
SuziQCat said…
Gorgeous! I don't know if I could handle snow all the time though. I imagine I'd get tired of it after a while, but it would make the green in Spring much more exciting!