Once We Built A Snow Couch...

Several weeks ago, after a huge snowstorm my youngest decided to make something out of the snow.

He made a couch.

Now, I know you my be thinking that a couch isn't the toughest thing to make out of snow. I mean, it's not a snowman, or an igloo. It's not a snow cave or some other sculpture, but a couch. After the snowplow came by and with us shoveling several feet of snow off the sidewalk, there were huge snow piles in the space between the sidewalk and the road. And from that snow, my son constructed his furniture.

At Christmas we showed the snow couch to my oldest son who is serving a LDS mission and I thought it would be SO COOL if it were still around when he got home in February. January went by we got a couple more storms. And after each one, my youngest would go out and perform maintenance upkeep on the couch. I was thinking it just might survive for our missionary to see it in person.

Nope.

The last couple of days have really taken a tole on the little couch. And with temperatures being high again this weekend, I think it could be completely gone in the next day or two.

But, such is life. We work hard, build something, take care of it and it melts away anyway. We might get another huge storm between now and the next ten or so days before he gets home. If it does, I hope my youngest goes out and rebuilds his piece of winter furniture. Because after all that shoveling, it's always nice to have a place to sit down.

It's Just Yard Work...

 The other day, as I shoveled the driveway after the latest storm, a thought came to me. It was one of those thoughts that you want to throw out when someone says something and you want to respond with a comment that's well thought out, something that you believe smart people say at the drop of a hat.

Okay, this thought isn't all that "smart." But it was something I could have said when people say something like, "Oh, I just LOVE yard work! I cannot get enough yard work! If I could do nothing but yard work, my life would be complete! Yard work is great--yippie!"

Yeah, during those times.

I thought that when someone can't believe how much fun it is to be outside in the spring/summer/fall pulling weeds and dealing with sneeze-inducing pollen, virus-infected mosquitos and melanoma-causing sunburns, I could just turn to them and say:

"But I'll bet you hate shoveling show in the winter. Why? I wonder. After all, that's yard work, too."

I've blogged before about how much I really enjoy winter. I think that the world covered in a blanket of snow is one of the most beautiful things God ever made. Sure, it's a pain to drive in it sometimes and shoveling show all day can sure do a number on your back (and heart...), but for me, it's worth the price. Many of my friends tolerate winter because they know it leads to spring. For me, I tolerate the rest of the year because I know in just a few month (like, nine...), the days will get shorter, the temperatures will lower and snow will once again cover up all of those summer responsibilities. 

So next time it snows, don't complain--just think of it as a little bonus yard work. Enjoy!

The Manipulation Of Light On A Foggy Morn...

Last Thursday I got off the bus and was welcomed into different world, a world of fog that muted all light. I loved it! Then again, I've always loved fog.

I snapped one picture with my iPhone hoping it captured the mood of the morning and if it did, it would be my Pic Of The Day. Anyone reading my blog post last Thursday night or saw my blog on Friday realized the picture did turn out.

But I didn't get out my good camera. That remained in my backpack (I was needing to get to work, after all...). But as I sat at my desk looking out at the streets below, I realized I just had to get out there. I had to see what my camera could capture.

I've thought it many times that when you break down photography is its most basic form, all it is is the manipulation of light. It goes without saying that when you have no light, you cannot have any photography. It sounds simple (and it is simple...), but it's true. And when every light source--even that coming from an ambulance on a morning call--is affected by a natural phenomena, you've got to see it and be in it and have it envelope you. And, if you can, try and capture the way it makes you feel with a two dimensional photograph...or several photographs.

These aren't all the ones I took, and had I more time (I was on a very short break, after all...) I might have been able to get some better pictures, but I was happy with what I did get. It was a beautiful morning and I'm glad I could experience it.