Winter Art

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Snow Laden Tree

Waiting for footprints

Morning by the street

Sun begins its work

Snow sculptures, icicles dripping from rooftops, branches laden with snow—winter art’s appeal stems from its fleeting nature.  

The trees stood as a blank canvas as the snow began to quietly fall last night.  Through the darkness, each snowflake fell upon the landscape, some balancing carefully on slender branches, others covering rocks and roots. 

The installation lasted no more than several hours after dawn. A brief early morning viewing until the sun's rays dissolved the snow’s delicate grip and the showing closed, captured only in photos and in memory.

Improv Mailboxes

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Now that the snow banks have solidified and entombed countless mailboxes in a frozen mass, it is too late to modify posts to safely see the mail receptacles through until spring. However, it’s not too early to start making the springtime to do list, especially if yours is one of the mailboxes that succumbed to the weight of snow crushing the box.

Those mailbox posts that extend their housing out toward the street while keeping the support safely back from the incessant onslaught of the 10 ton plows, generally fare well:

Metal Extender

Wooden Extender

Hanging Mailbox

While the standard post, especially along a high traffic road, will often fail to provide a protected perch for its mail container:

A Low Reach

Gone

Undaunted, the owners of these mailboxes that have been knocked aside often find duct tape or some other ad hoc means for providing a vessel for their daily mail:

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On the 5th Day God Said...

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And on the 5th day God said, “Stop delaying and make the brisket and latkes!”

While we have been lighting the menorah each night, we didn’t enjoy our Hanukkah repast until the 5th night, and what a meal it was! Personally, I think I could have related all of my kindness just to preparing the meal. But that seemed more than a little self-centered, so I kept my scope broad if not earth shattering.

I have noticed that not only am I looking for kindnesses (5 is a lot and 6, 7, and 8 will be even more), but I have found myself making an extra effort for the small gestures throughout my day. I have also noticed that my children have really taken this to heart. They are truly reaching out in meaningful ways, and inspiring me to make a bigger difference. As I strive to make a bigger difference, I hope my memory can keep up with the candles!