The Berry Tree

The graceful berry tree of 6th Avenue

One of the biggest misconceptions about Northern life is that our landscape "dies" in the winter. This simply not true. Trees lie fallow, like the fields, awaiting their springtime rebirth. Would that we could be so lucky to experience something like that!

Evergreens and firs give us much needed signs of life and color during the long cold dark months. Have you ever seen a holly bush covered in snow with its' red berries capped over with a little hat of snow? It is the essence of Christmas.

Bright orange and red in the afternoon sun

I can already hear ads on the radio hawking expensive "escape" vacations to beach locales because of rainy days and earlier night falls. Ugh, already?! But why? Why live somewhere one detests, spending money on pricey get-aways so that one can endure their surroundings? It seems a bit insane to me and a rather backwards way of enjoying life.

There's nothing cleaner or sweeter to me than air right after a snow, bringing back memories of sledding in the park and hot chocolate. Rather than seeing our landscape as "dead", perhaps those among us who dread snow and cold can learn to look for signs of life during what seems like the most trying times, appreciating the bright cheery red of berry that stands out in beautiful contrast to a pristine white snowfall while out for a walk. Trust me, it's much less crowded in the park during inclement weather. See you there.