Winter has been hesitant... even reluctant to fully enter our Oro-Medonte area for several weeks now. Snow would come and go... driven off and melted away by unseasonable temperatures and a warm sun. In late November... I was painting en plein air in little more than my trusty red mackinaw... not even requiring my usual light winter cotton gloves. One could find snow in pockets and along north-facing slopes... and in the curves of furrows running the length of farmer's plowed fields.
However...that all abruptly ended this week... as Winter stormed frigidly into our area... full force... and dead out of the North. We, at present have over 20 cm on the ground... much to the joy of local ski resorts and skiers. To the west... in the London-Sarnia area of Southwestern Ontario a state of emergency was declared today. The armed forces helicopters were called in to assist in the rescue of 300 motorists trapped on Highway 410. Last weekend... that same area recorded a weekend snowfall of 146 cm of snow. It is indeed an unseasonable rough start for snow removal crews... but much embraced by the 100's of school children who had three school-free snow days in the one week!
The weather has made driving both dangerous and even foolhardy. Many roads were closed early in the day today... due to the glare ice conditions caused by the blowing wind and wet snow accumulation of yesterday freezing overnight. These conditions really reduced any hope of visits to the Gallery on the weekend. We just hung out... and gift wrapped.
I have included some jpegs to demonstrate the above conditions... and have included a poem/ word thought that I put together early on Sunday morning. In think it expresses similar thoughts to the visuals sent along! Hope that you enjoy them!
Despite these inconveniences... I continue to love winter! It is a magical time to paint outdoors!
Good Painting to All... and Happy Holidays!
Winter Came Calling
The snow has come
The robin's fled,
And all the world is tucked in bed
The brooks are hushed,
The woodlands bare
Except for firs
Sprinkled here and there.
A world much changed
Where Winter reigns,
Where Jack Frost decorates window panes.
Where children play
And count the hours,
Til' old Santa's visit,
To your place... and ours.
The woodland worlds,
Once dark and green,
Are turned into perfect postcard scenes.
Each spruce decked out in an ermine coat,
On each hand a snowy fingered glove.
A place where multi-coloured shadows play,
With dancing sunlight from the sky above.
Winter... with his cold,
Seems to finally win the day,
Directing warm Autumn thoughts
Towards Spring thoughts... too far away.
Towards Spring thoughts... too far away.
