Thaw

Slowly, our tiny world, so vast and mystical, pulls itself from the embrace of winter. The ice upon the waterways thin and loosens. It's interesting to watch the water sculpting the frozen armor, which covered it for the last four months.

Although the snowpack is still below average, we've gone snowshoeing quite a bit this winter. Out there in the bush, I've taken silent note of the how the landscape is changed with its blanket of snow, the way the wind and sun manipulates it into its various forms. The Backcountry becomes a different place. Inviting and alien. Given the snow is always different from one year to the next-right down to how the drifts form-outback trails, no matter how familiar, will be made new once again. It's beautiful.

As mud, spring, the thaw, whatever Voodoo mask you put on it, progresses, I find myself strangely torn. We've renewed the community garden plot and I itch to ride my bicycle, grill, and wear shorts. Yet, there is something so very cool about coming into a bowl of krumholtz, in the view of great peaks, knowing you're the only thing that walks upon two legs to have been there in months by virtue of the tracks-if any-across the powder.

I guess I find it strange because I can still remember how desperately I'd wish for spring and summer during the winter. These days, when we hear it might snow, we start checking the maps for which trail we're going to explore, hoping said snow is deep enough that out poles aren't smacking against rocks.

Mei fie tsu. Memories of the past life, as opposed to the life we live now, I suppose. I had zen back then, just as I have it now. It's different, and I'm happy with that. I cast my lot to the winds of chaos once, and I ride that snake's tail for all it's worth.

The snow will be around a little longer, but the thaw is here. Winter works its way through mud to summer. Such is the way. Bicycling and hiking boots will replace Old Scratch and snowshoes. So it goes. I take the moments as they come, reveling in the uniqueness. The world changes because sameness and stagnation does not only lead to extinction, but it's really fucking boring.

I like to be entertained and I'd not have this any other way...