In exchange for leafless trees, long nights, ice covered roads, and cold, rainy, short days, winter’s barter surprises us with unexpected flair!  Below you have the best of my winter photos from this season. I feel each photo represents a gem gained in Winter’s Barter.

A few weeks ago, Bev and I went to the Arboretum to see the winter blooming Witch Hazel. It was pouring. It was not a drizzle or a rain shower, but rather a torrent of rain. On we walked in search of the Witch Hazel blooms.  I could smell Witch Hazel’s rich scent well before I actually saw these shrubs in bloom. Witch Hazel has medicinal properties, is astringent, and has anti-inflammatory properties. The essence from these tender flowers with their strong sweet scent helps soothe diaper rashes, cold sores, sunburns, and bug bites. The essence can be used as make up remover or as jewelry cleaner. It is a disinfectant as well as a salve to help heal bruises. I saw blooms in yellow and red. I love the delicate tendrils.

Skating on ice! I’ve always been intrigued by the black and white photos of Green Lake in 1916. The 1916 photo shows the lake completely iced over, filled with overjoyed wool-bundled skaters. I have yet to see the entire lake a frozen chunk of ice, but I did see a thin  layer of ice cover the surface of the lake, ice strong enough to support the weight of this duck.

And just before our own Arctic blast and snow storm, I captured the sky. It looks ominous!

And then the snow came. I felt like a giddy child walking around Green Lake, living in a wonderland! There is nothing like the hush of newly fallen snow.

I spent the last 28 days waking up very early and guiding an online group in daily Metta Loving Kindness Meditation. The meditation was 30 minutes long, from 6:00am-6:30am.  The gift of waking up early? You get to see purple and pink sunrises with fog lifting!  I am so fortunate to live at Green Lake and to have my yoga studio right by the lake!

….And yes, golden sunrises, too! I love the dog’s ears in this photo and the feeling of a close relationship between the man and his dog.

Cross country skiing with Bev and Lisa and snow shoeing with Denise!  These are all part of Winter’s Barter. Photo below is with Bev at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

Eastern Washington was breathtaking to see right after a heavy snowfall.

The view through icicles from Barbara and Denise’s cabin.

First I saw the puddle and the puddle’s reflection of the bare tree. Then I saw the crow taking a drink and causing a ripple of circles.

And part of Winter’s Barter are the sunsets. Look for them when there is a hint of sun in the sky! I took this photo after Lisa and I finished our day of skiing and were headed back home, via downtown Seattle. The colors of this sunset remind me of Toni and her use of dramatically bold colors in her art. Given more time, she could have painted this scene. But I am certain she would have found a way to paint this sunset more vividly.

UPDATE:

I will be holding two back-to-back yoga retreats in Costa Rica from February 5- February 21. While I am away, I will not be teaching my classes. I will resume teaching online only on the evening of February 21 (4pm PST Gentle Hatha on Zoom) and 5:45pm PST All Levels on Zoom). February Newsletter will be out soon (tomorrow?).  Look for it in your inbox.

Namaste, Fran