A hint of proper winter! I know my delight in enjoying a “real” winter isn’t shared by all, but goodness, doesn’t a sprinkle of magic fairy dust, I mean snow, really help lift the mood?!
It was a race as to who could get out of the door and into the woods the quickest. Scout won, because shoe laces, but I was a close second and off we frolicked. Mrs. PC? Yes, she can do shoe laces as well, and she was with us but not racing. She plays it cool at first snowfall, letting the children make youthful fools of themselves and, quite rightly, feigning not to know us. Why Scout has to kick up snow into the air cackling madly I’ll never know – no wonder Mrs. PC hangs back just a little…
The first decent round of snow wasn’t all that much if I’m honest. Enough to be noteworthy and not disappoint or disappear overnight. On notes, I always think the last remaining leaves look a little like musical notation, a gentle introduction or prelude to the full song and mighty majesty we’re about to enjoy. (This might tell you I was never a success musically in school or all the years after. Years of instruction and to this day I cannot read a note – how does that happen?)
What was I doing? There were recorders – instruments of musical torture in the wrong hands, and mine were so very wrong – and drums (“Adam, put the sticks down, you can’t play those unless you can tell me what these notes are?” No drums then…) and all sorts of sonic temptations, but beyond hammering at a glockenspiel I never really achieved much. Sometimes, I wasn’t even allowed a glockenspiel – just a single chime bar was the best I could expect. And even then I’d hit it at the wrong time, much to the music teacher’s delight I’m sure. Oh well. It taught me to be an appreciative audience instead. After all, if we’re all in the band, who buys the tickets?
On winter and music and buying a ticket, we were lucky enough to enjoy Les Violons du Roy perform all of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons a few weeks ago. My wonder and delight with Jonathon Cohen (conductor and harpsichord) continues – his ability to convey enthusiasm and joy and encouragement in his fellow musicians is something to behold. I’ve never seen or heard anything like it! I know the Four Seasons is probably overly familiar, but to hear it played as it was originally composed was very special. As special as the first winter snow…
Let’s conclude with that attempt at tying together a few loose strings and false notes – thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
“the last remaining leaves look a little like musical notation, a gentle introduction or prelude to the full song and mighty majesty we’re about to enjoy.” Nice foreshadowing, prelude. It is lyrical and stirs the senses. I agree about the first snowfall. It is a relief after the leaves have fallen and everything seems to be a blah brown. I look forward to the winter wonderland. Enjoy your weekend.
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Thanks, Jane! Yup, once the leaves are down, farewell fall and let’s get on with winter (when it is a proper winter wonderland…)
I hope you’re well and enjoying the early season!
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“If we’re all in the band, who buys the tickets?” is certainly relatable, but on a happier note, a first snow of the season is a song for those of us who enjoy the full symphonic wonders of a natural year. Well sung, Adam.
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Thanks, Walt! I’ll stick with writing lyrics or pretending to, and let others imagine my fine singing voice… it’s worse than letting me loose on percussion instruments!
I hope you’re feeling in tune with the season as you’d like to sing it!
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Scout looks wonderful out on the trails and we were lucky to have magic fairy dust appear overnight. I told Harper there was snow outdoors and I must have used the turkey/squirrel sighting voice because she eagerly looked around on the deck and completely disregarded the snow, but I was excited enough for both of us. It’s wonderful you have such a fabulous cultural city close by. Enjoy the weekend and snow!❄️🙂
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Thank you! We’ve had more snow since, and it looks just right! A necessary distraction from the football horrors of Everton (although I am quite enjoying watching Pep’s team implode – is that wrong?!)
I hope you and Harper continue to enjoy the season, turkey/squirrel sightings and all!
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That looks worth than just like a hint of winter Adam. Beautiful photos and lovely words that stirred the senses and cooled off the languid humidity we’ve been experiencing here over the past weeks, as summer rears her head. Musical or not have a wonderful weekend my friend. 😌
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Thanks, Miriam! It’s no secret I love winter, but ask me again in late March and I’d probably go for some languid humidity!
Enjoy the season, whatever it throws at you!
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