Orillia, Ontario after the Ice Storm
Even though I’m Canadian … even though I grew up spending most of my time in ice rinks … I’ve always dreaded the cold. Maybe it’s because I never seen to be warm enough, no matter how much I bundle up. Or, maybe it’s because the winters here are so long.
Winter solitude–
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.
~ Matsuo Basho
I do love the first snow, and especially a white Christmas. And, I do still love to skate. But, I also enjoy having an excuse to be indoors in front of a fire with a good book.
For the past four years, I’ve escaped part of the winter (usually only a week or two) to go to someplace warmer, with blue skies and, hopefully, a beach. This year that is not in the cards due to other trips planned later in the year. So, I’ve decided to embrace winter. And, what a winter it has been so far for much of Canada and the United States.
Embracing is about accepting something with all of your heart.
According to Merriam-Webster, to embrace is:
1. to clasp or hold close
2. to accept willingly or eagerly
3. to take up a new idea
4. to include as part of something broader
5. to surround, encircle or enclose
Photography helps me to see and embrace the magic in things or situations that are not always desirable. This winter, I’ve bundled up and gone out with my camera in all kinds of weather. I’ve tried to be very present to what’s going on around me and I find this takes my mind off of the cold. Here’s some of what I’ve experienced so far.
As you can see, it’s been a black and white world, full of abstract opportunities, strong light and shadows and subtle textures.
What do you need to embrace?
I love your images of embracing winter. My favourites are on the upper right of the spindly plants poking out of the snow and the lower left of the paving stones surrounded by snow.
I need to embrace the fact that I can’t be as perfect as I think I need to be! All I have to drop is the word “think”, so that I can be free without limiting boundaries!
Perfection is highly overrated, Sandra. I say embrace your imperfections!
Yay to imperfections! 🙂
Kim – thanks so much for the shout-out! I like when serendipity leads us to write about similar subjects. I like your expanded thought that embracing is about “accepting what is and seeing it in new ways”. Definitely an additional meaning for me in my year of “embracing”.
Forgot to comment on how much I like the winter patterns that you have found and captured with your lens. That first one looks like the universe.
Im sitting here in Alberta waiting for the flu vaccine to kick in ..and the weather is going to be perfect .. waiting and waiting and here I read (Embrace.). one small gift . Thank you.
and I just love the road . It just wonderful. Your images speak volumes of you spirit I think.
These are such beautiful winter photographs.
I’m on the opposite side…I love winter and yes, I hate summer! I worked hard this summer “embracing” it and not just complaining! It made a lot of difference. Love your snow images, although they make me a little jealous. We just don’t get a lot of snow here!
I love the new format of your site Kim! And I really resonate with this post. Living here in Maine one either has to embrace the ice and snow or plan to spend several months miserable. It is a time for my “inner chipmunk” to emerge! Hibernation is a lovely and restful state!
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but have since (well twenty years now) been transplanted to Texas and for the past five years of that on the gulf coast. I am not a cold weather person either, and enjoyed the occasional snow when we were in Dallas, but unless there has been a hurricane, we aren’t going to get any of that. But, I was just hoping with this last arctic blast that made its way to us (20 degrees, don’t laugh) that I could at least find some frost to photograph, lol. I even thought I could capture some frozen bubbles at those temps, but still no luck. So I am embracing the fact that although we have no snow or frost for photographing, we do have these amazing grains of sand on the beach! 😉 Love the path and the trees, and am enjoying your class very much!