The first snowfall of the season

According to the 72 divisional calendar of Japan, Jan.25 to 29 is the coldest time

水沢腹堅 meaning "ice thickens on streams."

Unfortunately, the coldest, driest season is the best time of life to COVID.

But let's not be intimidated to enjoy the season in possible ways with all the preventive measures.

 

Albert Camus,  the author of The Plague, wrote in his Return to Tipasa ;

"In the middle of winter, I at last discovered that there was within me an invincible summer."

He realized the powerful life-giving source like the summer sun within him in the depth of winter.

As for myself,  the darker, or the colder,  the more I become aware of  the light inside of myself.

(Light within ourselves,  Always with me)

The first snowfall of the season is one of the most exciting things regardless of age. 

When you live in a place where it rarely snows despite all the frigid days,

you can't miss the precious opportunity.

I hurried to the nearest park in my neighborhood with a camera last week.

I hadn't thought the slide of the park (the photo below) was so eye-catching till then.

There's something serene and uplifting about walking alone in the falling snow.

The beautiful, smooth barks were soaring straight to the pearly grey sky.

The spade-shaped Chinese Tallow leaves were hanging in there.

In the hushed world, trees, swing, slide...., all  were covered with snow.

 I thought of the snow days in my childhood and I felt like that I heard children's joyous shouts.

The first grader Y told me later that he enjoyed snowball fighting with friends at the noon recess.

The back of the slide is Chinese Tallows with brown cracked skins of white fruits. 

Birds often come to the seed-like fruits.

Tiny buds to bloom in spring attract more attention in the snow, and so do the withered flowers,

telling us the constant  life flow of coming and going in nature.

As a reflection freak, I didn't miss the frozen reflection of cherry trees on the windshield.

In an hour, snow turned to sleet and I walked back home.

My daughter sent me photos of M's first experience of snow in her life.

Linked to Mosaic Monday