Spring in Colorado (and what I'll be doing this morning)

Dear people who live in temperate climates:
Right now you're probably rising up to enjoy a cup of coffee on your patio, soaking in the morning sun. Can you smell the flowers blooming all around you? And the scent of fresh green floating through the air?

Can you?

Because I want you to know that I can't smell any of those things.
Why? Because here is where I live. In case you missed it, the date is March 24th, and this is Colorado. And the two photos above were taken from my driver's seat last night.
And this is the view from my back door this morning.
Now, in case you've never experienced a spring snow storm (because instead you're lying in the beach getting a tan), let me tell you a few things you should know.

First, the snow is HEAVY. Very, very heavy. So you can think of me as I'm trying to heave piles of it off my driveway this morning with a shovel.
Second, in addition to the shoveling I'll have to take a tour through my yard knocking all of the snow off the trees and shrubs. Because HEAVY snow breaks branches.
And all of this effort will make me a) exhausted and b) sore. And then when it's all finished, the sun will come out and melt everything that's left by tomorrow.
Because that's just how it is in spring in Colorado.

So, people of temperate climates who are going to work right now wearing skirts and sandals--be thankful. Because I have to go put my boots on now and lift hundreds of pounds of wet snow.

I just thought you should know...

Sincerely,
stephanie

Mountain Morning

Every year sometime toward the end of September I have a little ritual. It involves me, a crisp autumn morning, my favorite mountain park, and my journal.

I come here to reflect over the year, and to think about the future.

Some years I have big decisions to make, and I seek this park for the peace and quiet it offers--a chance to get away from my computer and cell phone and just listen to my heart.

And listen to the rushing mountain river, too.

This year I didn't have decisions to make, per se, or even big goals to set for the future. Mainly I just sat in the sun and rested.

I thought about what I've journeyed through over the past 12 months or so, and where I'm headed.

And I'm not sure if it was the beauty of the scenery, or the fresh quality to the mountain air, but up in that canyon I had the wonderful sense of new beginnings, like a turning of the season. A clean slate. A clear morning.

Needless to say, it was a good way to start the day.

What introspective insights do you have this fall? Share your comments below, or email me at shillberry@stephaniehillberry.com.