So fellow travelers, we here in Upstate NY are living in a Strange New World. It’s a world where temperatures are in the 60’s and Christmas lights cast their colorful glitter across lawns of green grass. We bask some what uneasily under snowless skies, shooting furtive glances at the lavendar clouds, convinced Lake Effect will descend at any time.
“We’re gonna pay for this later you know,” is a frequent comment I hear from my colleagues and neighbors. Really? As if Mother Nature keeps some sort of balance sheet on which we owe her a tremendous debt for this gift of unseasonably warm weather. Hey, if is there is a balance sheet, I dare say we might have some credit due on our end to compensate for the brutal winter we survived earlier this year.
I have a different perspective; I simply accept the fact our weather is what it is. I am grateful for the good days, dress in layers for all other times and keep walking dogs through all of it. Which is how Delilah and I came upon this little pop of joy as we headed out yesterday evening. “Oh! A December Dandelion,” I exclaimed as she sniffed curiously at the flower which boldly defied the calendar. The phrase wove itself into this haiku.
December Dandelion
Snow less skies green grass
December dandelions
Strange gifts this season
Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.