When you grow up in tropical region, you have no experience whatsoever to be on snow, don’t know what snow gear to prepare and how thick the socks should be. It only snows 2-3 times a year here in Willamette valley. People are not trained to drive and function normally on snowy days. I simply quit driving if the road condition is slightly doubtful. My car was sliding out of control on snow and I could not stop it but to let it bump into curb and other time, bridge railing. Thanks God, I am still alive.
Snow came down yesterday, well, it was more like a blizzard. I had urge to go out and snap a few shots, but it was so cold and I dare not drive down the hill myself, so I decided to wait. Overnight the snow was accumulated close to one foot high and stopped. It was raining and temperature is supposed to go up. If I want to shoot snow, I had to act now. So, fully dressed, I stepped out of the door.
My goodness, the snow is so deep and hard that it hurts if I just slightly tilted my foot against the edge of it. It is definitely not the powdery and soft snow that I was experienced in ski area. I had to walk slow and steady to make sure that I was stepping on the right spot. I am not kidding, I can only take one step at a time. ‘One step at a time’ and ‘one thing at a time’ did not exist in my life, but nature is giving me the lessons.
From distance, it is all white. Come closer, it is all clear, crystal clear. Every single tree, limb and leave are covered with ice. It is icing, not just frosting. This is the first time that I had chance to enjoy crystal trees and bushes since I moved to Oregon. Everything I saw is coated with ice, crisp and solid.
It was treacherous to just walk around in the neighborhood. I actually stepped deep in a few ditches and scared myself to death. This reminds me of those who hiked across the mountains and ravines covered in snow and what kind of trauma they could face. When we are deep into nature, our life is so vulnerable. A pitfall can lead to a major disaster.
A simple example like mine. If I did not dare to walk in hazardous condition, I would not have chance to explore these icing up-close.
The next day, ice was gone and snow was melting. I could not find my crystal tree, frozen berries and icicles any more. They are temporary and we cannot wait around. When opportunity popped up, here we go. Act Now.
Olympic races were on TV. We like to watch figure skating like everyone else. Just for fun, I took a few panning shots off TV. These figure skaters work so hard to perfect every movement. It shows particularly clear from the pictures. It is an art form that human being has created to maximize our body potentials. People devoted years of life to come here to compete for the God, the moment of fame. What I see is their spirit and the physical beauty presented through their extra-ordinary performance.
TV was on and I was attentive to Olympic broadcasting… We heard a loud noise from behind our house, a sharp Crack sound, then immediately a Bang, sound like extremely heavy something hit the ground. The (at least) 50 feet oak tree could not handle whole load of ice and finally gave in, fell on the ground. Thanks God, it hit the common area between our next door neighbor and our house.
This tree normally leaned towards left side of our house where our office is. It is a healthy tree and we did not think it would cause any hazard. But nature runs its own course, this tree may have done with its life-spam and due back to heaven. You know what, I just escaped another potential trauma !!! Do you believe there is a Powerful Hand Above? I do, I do and I do.
So poetic & relaxing, Chris. I love your style of writing and peacefulness it brings 🙂 I want a hot cup of tea to read your blog!
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We are so lucky to live here surrounded by nature where the peace comes from 🙂
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