The day after Christmas, I went running at my son’s and daughter-in-law’s house. Their two boys were shoveling snow, but most of the streets were quiet. Snow had started to fall around 5:00 a.m. enfolding the sleeping neighborhood. The day after Christmas can sometimes be hard. There are messy piles everywhere. Gifts we have not put away, wrapping paper, boxes, leftover food.

But as I stepped out into the wintery landscape, all of my cares floated away as I ran through the streets, listening to the winter birds, listening to the trees, and the sound of my footsteps. I passed another runner, and she gave a nod.

Here are some of my random thoughts and pictures of that morning.

Winter Wheat

In the wee hours before the gray dawn,

the snow fell.

A coating of white swathed the winter wheat.

Bare trees, Douglas fir, and bushes transformed 

Over night to Narnia. 

Sparrows fluttered from bough to bough

Chirping in the the cool air. 

The wheat stalks reached high like sentinels 

Keeping watch over the moisture from the snow.

*****

What is your favorite thing about winter?