A Snowy Winters Night. [NATURE]

The day was short and dreary. The sun had faded and had not been seen in days. We have fallen into the grey period of winter. Three inches of snow blanket the countryside as the sun begins to sink lower and turn into a brilliant amber glow behind the clouds. In the west the sky darkens and the wind begins to become a steady breeze of cole and moist air that will chill you to the bone.

As it darkens the outdoor lights come on and you begin to see the air flooded with snowflakes. First it starts out light with small flakes until the brunt of the storm arrives. The skies and air around now filled with giant snowflakes. So many that you lose your visibility beyond a few meters. On the ground it is accumulating, adding to what is already there. Within an hour you realize there is another inch of new snow.

It goes on like this for hours until you go out look up and the moon begins to appear as the storm moves on. In front of your eyes beholds one of the most beautiful sights in nature. The moonlight reflecting off the blanket of fresh snow makes the night appear as if it were twilight. Brighter than any full moon without snow.

You look across the fields and see that the deer have come out to feed. You watch as a pack of coyotes stealthly follow the deer as they wait for the perfect moment. An owl calls out and it's call echoes throughout the woods. There is a distinctive crunch beneath your feet as you walk about in the new blanket of snow.

As the night draws on the wind becomes like a cold knife cutting through your clothes, and chilling you to the bone. Your nose becomes raw and your lips chapped from the cold wind. Your ears begin to throb in pain as you cut through the wind towards the warm house and the warmth of the fire.

Before you retire to your house of warmth you take one last look around. The moon is so bright now it is almost like daylight on a cloudy day. You take an extra moment to be greatful that even though winter is rough. A Snowy winters night is one of the most beautiful gifts that nature has to offer.

This story goes nicely with your garden offering you ARE nature, not just observing it.