Fading

Winter is slowly losing it's grip, inch by inch, one ice crystal at a time. The almost-full ice sheet covering the creek is melting away. The ducks and geese are now enjoying much more swimming room. Sunlit areas either have a mere veneer of ice or are free water. The shaded areas are becoming slush and what my dad used to call "rubber ice", not fully frozen. I don't think one of the pintail ducks could even walk across it.

Granted, it's all part of the Wheel of the Year, and the Callieach must soon transform into the Maiden, but I will say that I will miss the beauty of the ice and snow (just not the bitter cold that accompanies it). The wind-blown ripples across the ice surface, sunlight glinting off them as it peeks through grey winter clouds. The pristine fresh fallen snow before human or animal has left a single track. The peaceful quiet during a snowfall, curtailing even the bustling city noise.

Yet, soon, the days will warm even more, new growth will be seen on the trees, the earth will aawken from her slumber, the wheel will continue it's turning...