Winter is Coming

 

It’s true. Winter will be here soon. How do I know this?

Not in the way you’d expect--the disembodied calendar. The name: December. Not because I’ve lived seventy-two years on this planet.

Rather, I know that winter is coming because the crew from the Town of Kinderhook have arrived to put up the snow fences.

Actually, the snow fences are not up quite yet. But, there they are—rolled and ready to be unfurled along the stretch of land across from our farm--as you can see in this photograph. In the evening, which arrives around five o’clock these days the sun setting over the Catskill Mountain range is a stunning backdrop for the fields and the snow fences.

These fences--they are beautiful objects. Wooden, elegant. The slates make them flexible—and because of this, they can be unwound and rolled across the fields. They’re not fragile, but tender looking. At least to me. Ask the farmers, and they will tell you that the fences are strong and resilient and they are built to endure the coming snow storms. Year after year. Farmers are a practical bunch, after all. They make things to last. And so, when the stinging winter winds come hurtling across the farm and the snow goes sideways, practically blinding us--the fences will hold back the snow drifts--and keep the white stuff from flying across the roadway. The snow fence is a Zen creation. It doesn’t stop the snow, but rather, it simple offers a buffer and a method of redirecting the snow from flying into the street.

Creative Friends--there is beauty and calm in your daily habits and seasonal rituals. There is solace. On the farm, there’s a lot to do—putting the gardens to bed, tying up the raspberry canes, bringing the rosemary and sage plants indoors. Stacking the firewood. For you, winter might simply mean a time of quiet and reflection, a slower pace. And opportunity to mend and repair.

But no matter how you experience the arrival of winter, why not put up your metaphorical snow fence. Keep out the distractions of storms embody the stillness. Finally, find a way to embrace this season to make art, write, read, draw, sing. Dance and dream.

Love,

Jamie