Of course, spring is wonderful. It is not just the warmth and longer days. It is the emerging life: green shoots, leaves, more birds. But the last days of winter have charms, too, and they are easy to overlook or dismiss in the adulation of the coming next season.
I took a good walk today amid bright sun and clear blue sky. I did check before leaving and the wind chill was 21° F. I did put on long johns and wore a scarf, knitted hat and gloves. And, I was sweaty under it all after nearly 3 miles of fast walking.
But the day! Gloriously beautiful! One aspect of winter sunshine is the mirror effect of snow. Except for a field of sunflowers or daffodils, few surfaces make quite the brilliant stream of light rising up off reflected snow. So, the lighting of such a day is only available on a winter day.
The air! It feels bright, too. Cool, cool in a way that we long for on some of those August days. It is a commonplace to call such air "invigorating" but that is because it really is invigorating, stimulating, satisfying, uplifting, to such a strong extent that it is impossible not to feel it, remember it and comment on it.
So along with my friends, I am anticipating the snow drops and crocuses as they pop out, sightings of robins and other spring birds and, eventually, conservatively, leaves on the trees. I enjoy each notch of advance of the seasons. But, there are still thrills and gifts to be had from winter and its closing down.
