~*~ Walking in a Winter
Wonderland~*~
Date:
I
was looking off the back porch at the snow falling and felt the need to have
some coffee. So I went back inside and removed my fuzzy Orvis
slippers in exchange for a pair of
I
grabbed my jacket, hat and mittens out of the closet and headed out the front
door. The clean smell of the air was refreshing. I live in a quaint little town
that is something out of a
At
the end of the block I turned left onto the main road through the town. The
white lights from the holidays are still strung up on the lampposts and are
simply beautiful in the evening snow. I pass by the little museum and art
gallery, pausing momentarily in front of the church. It’s the only building
that is stark white and lit up all around. Quite a contrast
to the little brick library next door. I pass by the Brothers Moon deli
and see a couple sitting in the window, jackets flung over their chairs and
what appears to be either coffee or cocoa in their hands. I wonder what they
are talking about and figure whatever it is; it’s good, because both are
smiling intently.
I
maintain my slow pace (still nursing a sore knee) and take in all that is
around me. I love this little town! I love watching the snow falling past the
street lights and seeing the occasional car creep down the road. The cemetery
is silent tonight, sheltered with a fresh blanket of white powder, giving it an eerie appeal. I can see in the window of the little
local market, a customer chatting happily with the clerk. Nobody seems in much
of a rush tonight.
I make my normal left turn up the sidewalk
of Failte, the little Irish coffee house in town.
They have the most amazing selection of coffees and teas, as well as incredible
food if you are in the mood for a bite to eat. A friend of mine swears by their
Belgian waffles with fruit topping, but I have yet to taste them. Usually, my
time at Failte is spent curled up on one of their
oversized couches with a book, my journal, or listening to the live
entertainment that is offered a couple of times a week. The bell over the door
jingles as I walk in and shake off the snow from my hat. There’s a young girl
writing at one of the tables but other than that, nobody to be found.
I
order my Kona, exchange small talk with the owner and
head back out into the snow speckled night. There is something to be said for a
slow walk on a dark, snowy night while sipping a hot cup of coffee. The madness
of day to day life disappears and I surrender to the simplicity of the moment.
I opt for a slightly different route and meander past the little brick post
office, the local volunteer fire department and the EMT building. You would
think everyone had skipped town tonight. I pass no one on the ¾ mile trek back
to my house. The footsteps on these sidewalks belong to me alone.
The
snow we are having is light and fluffy with those little crystal-like bits that
shine and twinkle in the night. These are the snowfalls that I love, knowing
that in the morning the sun will be shining and everything in my little town
will be sparkling and gleaming. I took one last look at the winter scene being
created in front of me as I made my way back up the steps and into the house.
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