My Swiss friends Hansjorg and Franziska sent me this gorgeous photograph of their back yard in winter.  It is helping me with the appreciation part of winter.  I dislike ice, the cold, the covering of skin, the absence of green, peonies, hibiscus, you name it.  However, this picture gave me pause.  Maybe because of the poetic curves of the chairs, and the fact that it is someone else’s back yard, I am not sure.  But then there is this, which is my back yard, or rather a minute’s walk down the street from us.

Photo:  Pam White

And this, which is my backyard:

Photo:  Pam White

So I need to expand my sense of appreciation, de-contract my body and mind to take in what is here now.  Here are a few things that I do appreciate.  The anatomy of the trees against the pale sky.  The snow-sculpted hills.  The resting of the plants, their deep dormancy, and the accompanying quiet.  And I am sure there is more.  Yesterday on the way back from the barn (cold there!) I was listening to an interview with Pema Chodron.  She was talking about being interested, curious when we encounter resistance in ourselves.  So I am going to be more curious about this season, more interested in its gifts.  One day at a time (and they ARE getting longer).