The Valentine's Storm

Big storm today...first big one of the season....snow has been falling since the wee hours and now the winds are blowing again. A Nor'-easter. Skiers, ski resorts, winter sports fans are all happy...the forest was quiet when I went out before dark to gather kindling from a felled pine. It's branches snapped in my mittens like brittle bones. I got a bag full. The pine burns hot yellow and fast in the woodstove.

I am grateful for the energy the dead tree has given to us.