Not that anyone needs to know, but my derriere was already sore from Vicki’s challenging yoga class yesterday, so slipping and falling on my butt while going down an icy slope didn’t help matters. But the extra padding with which nature has endowed me came in handy, and now I’m fine, drinking tea and eating leftover candy canes.
Most sensible people stayed inside today in my city, but not wanting to feel trapped, I debuted my new purple boots and my red pleather parka and headed out to meet the sharp, cold air. A dusting of snow made the sidewalks less slippery, and the tread on my new boots saved me from all but one fall.
A little boy who stood guard at the top of a hill said,”I saw these two cars crash into each other, and then one of them hit the fire hydrant, so I’m trying to get people to turn around.” The kid had a lot more sense than the drivers, because on my way back he was still there, bemoaning the fate of a moving truck stranded at the foot of the hill.
My house is drafty, and there’s a chill in the air no matter how high we turn up the heat, but still I’m grateful. So many people are outdoors because of homelessness, or even if they have a roof over their heads, they can’t afford to turn on the heat. Walking three miles in the cold has made me sleepy, even though I was bundled up, and it makes me think about how hard and tiring it is to live on the streets.
The crows and hawks were out today too, but the squirrels stayed snug in their nests.
Balanced On the Edge 
Great photos and recap. Hope your butt feels better soon. 🙂
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Thanks, Coll. I heard Dustin took a spill too.
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There’s something pleasing and yet unsettling about the phenomenon of snow binding us either side of the Atlantic. It underpins a sense of community and shared experience that draws us together, but it begs alarming questions concerning the world’s weather patterns. Next time I hit the ice butt first I’ll distract myself with the happier of these two reflections!
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Happy 2010, C!
The holly is so bright and beautiful.
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I’m impressed with the little boy who stood guard. You should get a poem out of that. No sense taking a butt bounce for nuthin.
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Dick, I know what you mean about how snow days build camaraderie. And I think about global warming too.
Glad you like the photo, Michelle.
Bob, he was a good little guy. I did worry about him, though, with all the crazy drivers out there.
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Stay warm, dear!
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Lovely photos, sorry you fell! I’ve astonished myself by not falling this winter, despite all the ice and snow, and our several long walks through the snowy woods…
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I love your pictures, Christine! So beautiful.
What you say about homelessness is right on. I was just griping about how high our heat bill is (even though we’re cold inside), then reading your words reminded me yet again how blessed I am to BE inside.
I hate that you fell down, but I’m glad you’re all better. Your candy cane and tea remark made me laugh. I’ve been doing the same thing. Amber blended a bunch of tea for me. She buys it loose at a little market in NYC then makes her own mixtures. She wraps them in little individual linen bags. It’s an awesome gift. Don’t tell her, but I just put a shot of rum in my coriander mint tea:)
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Christine – great photos – we have no snow here at all, just unremitting grey soggy days. Happy new year to you and yours – hope all goes as you desire. Your poor bum, not only does it hurt the derriere when one falls down but also the pride, a wee bit. The little boy sounds like a sensible sort, but he should be overseeing things from a spot of safety. kids are so amazing- they never ease to surprise. Stay well! g
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Julie, you know how I spell lovely and kind? A-M-B-E-R. Do you think she would like to marry my son in a few years? 🙂
Thanks, G. you’re so right, I was worried about that little guy. I told him to back far away from the road.
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I’d be thrilled to be part of your family, Christine. Your son is awesome. I already think of you as a sister:) xoxo
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