This time of year in Humptulips County frost competesĀ with fog forĀ morning dominance.Ā Since it is still November, fog prevails in these battles much of the time, as it has this morning.Ā Ā This morning’s fog isĀ light andĀ graceful in its ethereality;Ā transparency isĀ its hallmark.Ā Yet, despiteĀ the fog’s overall dominance,Ā a touch of frostĀ gracesĀ the needles at the veryĀ tips ofĀ ourĀ pines’ branches, decoratingĀ themĀ with hints andĀ rumors of theĀ deep winter lyingĀ ahead.
Yesterday was different;Ā for the first time this year, frost prevailed overĀ fog.Ā Since our house isĀ nestled within a cluster of pines surrounded on all sides by open fields, the view fromĀ our library windows made it appear as ifĀ we had been transported overnight to an enchanted land – the Misty Mountains orĀ Neverland, perhaps;Ā or, more likely,Ā theĀ fringes of Narnia.Ā Ā Since theĀ day was cloudless and bright,Ā the fields sparkledĀ long into the morning, serving as aĀ reminder that it’sĀ timeĀ to wear aĀ warmer coat, and that boots,Ā gloves, and hats should be taken from the depths ofĀ our front hallĀ closet and placed to hand should needs dictate – asĀ they certainly will almost any day now.
The holidays are at hand, the firstĀ only a matter of days away.Ā Ā The seasonal shopping spree begins this coming Friday;Ā Christmas carols will then rule the airwaves.Ā Yesterday, while shopping for groceries for the upcoming Thursday feast, we saw a house decorated for the season.Ā Its owner, apparently determined to be first and jump the Thanksgiving starting gun, had decorated its porch columns with bright red bows and the trees in its front yard with brightly colored plastic bulbs.Ā The effect was awkward; the sentiment premature.
But despite the impending commercialism, despite the gloom which has ruled our houseĀ of late due toĀ the recent passing of Helen’s sister,Ā winter’s brightness beckons from deep withinĀ this morning’s murk.Ā Ā ThisĀ morning’sĀ touch of frost is its avatar and advance scout:Ā suggestive ofĀ its stark beauty, andĀ reminding usĀ thatĀ theĀ world is not ruled byĀ petty humanĀ concerns but by the hand and mind of nature.
