Seven months into our courtship, I dropped the the man who eventually became my husband at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail: Springer Mountain, Georgia. It was February 1. And according to townfolk along the trail, when he and his hiking partner made forays into towns for supplies, it was “the coldest/snowiest/worst winter we’ve … Continue reading March is a tease
I awoke at 4:45am to my alarm and the sound of rain lashing against the windows. The kids’ school was on a 2-hour delay due to heavy rain and potential flooding, but our daughter’s swim practice was still on for 5:30. The last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed to drive … Continue reading Flex Day Flood Day
It’s been unseasonably warm the past few days, with highs in the 50s instead of the 30s we’d normally expect in February. Last night, before going to sleep, my husband opened our bedroom window. Just a few inches, but enough to let in a balmy rush of fresh air. My god it smelled good. After … Continue reading Sleeping with the window open
Midmorning yesterday, my husband was restless. He wanted to get out of the house. “I think I want to go for a hike. You want to come?” I had just been thinking about how lately I’ve been reading stories more than I’ve been getting out in the world and experiencing life. “Yes, I just need … Continue reading A spontaneous winter hike to a waterfall
Today is my day off from working last Sunday. I had expected it to be a quiet day at home with the house to myself. Maybe I’d write. Maybe I’d read. I didn’t really have any plans. But I did think I’d be at home alone. It turns out, I’m not! In fact, everyone is … Continue reading How to spend a snow day
The landscape is grey and brown. The sky is heavy with stone clouds. Bare branches are wet with fog and rain. My poor garden, vibrant in summer, is sharp with plant skeletons, crinkly with copper oak leaves, and lifeless. Winter gets harder to bear every year. The holidays are over, and I’m ready for winter … Continue reading Pinpricks of light in winter
