a winter surprise

It often takes a sense of humor

to make it through a northern New England winter.

I came upon these critters the first winter after

we moved from our farmhouse in the country.

As I was walking in my new neighborhood

at just about this time of year,

I cannot tell you how much this scene warmed my heart.

This photo actually strings together a few themes

from my last couple of blogs.

The snow cat was created by a woman named Grace 

who came from Uganda to teach 

and was visiting my neighbor that winter.

Grace chose a cat for her first snow-creature because she

very much enjoyed playing with Mopsy, the family cat.

My neighbor made the snow-woman

and kept her snug with Grace's African hat and her warm scarf.

Can you imagine the fun of that creation?

The world would be a bleaker place if it weren't for 

artists with a well developed sense of play.

Thanks to Jane and Grace 

and to 

all those like them in the entire universe.

Amen.