I woke up this morning and there was snow outside. Although Portland does get snow, it just doesn’t happen very often. When it comes, it stops everything because we don’t know how to operate in the snow. We have a few snow plows, but not enough. Most everything closes. We have had no mail or newspaper deliveries. Kids find their sleds and slide down the empty streets. It’s tricky to go out for a walk because we expect that it will melt soon so don’t bother to shovel our sidewalks. Mostly, we are inside.

It feels like I am on a vacation. I think to myself, nothing is happening, I can do whatever I want because there is snow on the ground.

I can post a random groups of photographs, that don’t have a lot to do with each other except that they are interesting or beautiful or strange. Because there is snow on the ground and I can’t go anywhere.

For example, a picture of an amaryllis. I had bought the bulb late in the season and wondered if it would do anything at all. But it did! A huge beautiful bloom in the dark days of January.

The other day, I glanced out my window and saw this beautiful sky. A deep dark teal blue, my camera phone didn’t capture the amazing color that had caught my eye. Instead, maybe better, the camera saw something different, this gorgeous picture.

On another day, I glanced out the same window and saw this guy up in one of my neighbors trees.

High, high up in the branches dangling by ropes, pruning.

Below, another glorious sky. This one from a walk only a week or so ago.

Mother Nature reminding us who does it best.

I had visited this cabin back in June, when it was sunny and warm and pretty in a different way. This time, it was cold January, but cozy in the warm cabin.

Later that day, a covid cautious winter dinner, outside, with blankets, parkas, mittens, hats and a lovely fire. Not too bad.

I may feel stuck, but not as much as this fire hydrant. How long did it take to get to this point?

Have you seen any Playing for Change videos? There are lots of them. I haven’t seen one that isn’t inspiring and up-lifting. Stuck inside on a snowy day, you can get lost watching one after another.

Check out this one, it’s such a sweet bit of happy.

I’m having trouble linking to youtube, so instead, to see it, please copy and paste this url into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4UWvcZn5U&feature=youtu.be

So good. It’s from the national arts education program, Turnaround Arts.

And many wishes for a Very Happy Valentines Day!