Winter's Ends

'Autumn arrives in the early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.'

Elizabeth Bowen

Image by Joee Vee

I love spring, but to be honest it comes forth on my list of favorite seasons.  Autumn has always been my favorite season.  Even when I was young, I saw Autumn as a time for beginnings, for fresh starts, for trying new things.  It probably has to do with the start of school.  When I was really young, we lived in a rural area.  Close to the city, but not close enough to get there without a drive from my parents. I look forward to school starting in September to get back to school, back to sports and activities and back to my friends.

Following this logic, winter was, and continues to be my second favorite season.  Although many hibernate, it continues to be the season I am most active.  I get invigorated by the cold and enjoy winter activities especially skiing.  I also love to nest in the evening, something you can do guilt free when it cold and snowy outside.  

My third favorite season would be summer.  I love the warmth of the summer sun, a beach day, the crickets chirping each evening at dusk.  I love reading on my porch in the morning and drinking a glass of wine on it at night.  Summer is also so short where I live, two months tops.  Just as the heat is starting to get to you, the nights start to get colder, and Autumn is just around the corner.  

nkd.dan

That leaves spring, a season I like, but definitely forth on my list. Francis of Assisi said of spring that, A single sunbeam s enough to drive away many shadows.  To me however, it's the shadows that really support the sun in creating depth and true beauty.  Without the shadows, the summer sun can burn, and cause obstructions to clear views.  We use sunglasses and our hands to block the sun from us seeing clearly.  The greatest views may be well lit, but that light also needs to be directed by darkness and shadow. 

With winter no technically over, it's time to purge the 'winter' section of my 'seasonal sightings' folder.  Finding images of naked male models brave enough to bare chill of winter and snow has often been difficult.  The year however, I found more images that I could use. Maybe it's just a coincidence, or that more and more people are taking images with their cameras.  I think in part however, it had a little to do with the pandemic.  

Getting outside, regardless of the season, became more important than ever.  Last winter, I think we all paused and really thought about our time beyond the safety of our homes.  This past winter, a year of trying to remain mostly inside had us swinging open those doors and windows, even with the chill of winter still in the air.  

🌼 Welcome Spring! 🌼