CRUSTY SNOW

Everyone who knows me real well knows I love the winter and cross country skiing... However, the reason for this is twofold if not more. The snow puts a blanket over everything, and peace and quiet can be had out on the trail. Also, though it's great exercise, it's also my favorite way to meditate. I almost go into a trance. Sometimes I couldn't tell you after which trail I'd taken through the woods. But... Today there's a thin crust from freezing mist upon the snow. I figured I'd try skiing on it even though it may be rough going. It was fine when it came to the pace I take, and easier than if I was walking with boots or with snowshoes. However, it was so noisy it really put a damper on meditation. It was like someone scraping the walk with a plastic snow-shovel.

I could hear the difference when I passed under a hemlock, as its boughs protected the snow, and suddenly it would be only a whisper... however, there are more bare-boned hardwood, and for the most part, in order for peace and quiet, I had to stop and listen. The dogs didn't like the crusty-ness, but their paws breaking through was soundless compared to my skis which amplified the sound. Polly trailed along behind. No trace of squirrels today, nor mice beneath the snow. Frankly, I think they only came along for the broken pieces of snack-bones I had in my belly-pack. If I'm reading their minds, I'd say they were bored. But it's exercise, and exercise for them as well. We all feel better after a walk in the woods. And when I would pause, and listen to the silence; I would meditate on whatever is bothering me, listen for inspiration in order to resolve questions that have been bothering me.

So often I worry about problems which I have NO way of solving, and have a sadness from the worry. When I got back a few minutes ago, I came into the house, and checked my email in the computer/guest room just in on the left from the front door.
I got some forwarded messages. I'm sorry, people, I get so many that the only way I can keep up is to delete most of them. I can discern which are repeats, and which are a bit "spammy" whereas they want me to forward a honey-sweet message to 6 of my girlfriends. Sorry, "Delete, Delete,Delete." But one had this little one liner that helped inspiration to get through this noisy morning of crackly snow:

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.

I guess that just about sums it up. Have a good day.

Love,
Cranberry Jo