This morning I woke up to the first winter storm of the season here in Erie. Since we've moved here in July, everyone has said, "You've never seen an Erie winter. Just you wait!" So here we are, the beginning of winter weather here in beautiful Erie, Pennsylvania!It started last yesterday. Rainy, dreary, cold, windy -- then the hail storm yesterday afternoon. And this morning - everything was white with snow - and it was cold and windy. Okay, it wasn't as bad as this picture - this was sent to me by a friend when he heard of my appointment to Christ Church titled, "Ministry in Erie." (Thanks, Keith!)
Our dogs, 2 miniature dachshunds, were NOT very happy about having to brave the wind whipping their long ears, slogging through the wet snow and slush - especially since they are so very low to the ground!
I was not very happy about slogging through the slush, either - and the wind whipping wet snow in my face wasn't very pleasant. And I had made several appointments to visit folks this afternoon, which meant I would be driving on this delightful day!
I must confess - it was a much more tempting thought to stay in the house, wrap up in a warm afghan with a cup of hot tea, and intermittently read, nap and watch the snow swirl around the window. I'm sure it would have been much more beautiful from that vantage point.
Right now we're under a "Lake Effect Snow Advisory" until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. The wind is whipping wildly, the sleet is pelting the window and just think - there's more of this to come! Ah, well - all part of the bliss of living in Western Pennsylvania - which honestly, I would not trade for anything in the world.
So I invite you to pull up a chair, grab a hot cup of tea (or coffee, hot chocolate or cider), and ponder these words, one of my favorite poems, that I fell in love with as a child, with woods in my own backyard:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost (1923)
Whose woods these are I think I know.
by Robert Frost (1923)
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Give thanks to God for every day - even winters in Erie!
By God's Grace,
Michelle
6 comments:
Thanks for the poetic reminder, Michelle.
I have used Frost's language frequently on those occasions when I have felt burdened by a heavy schedule:
"And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep."
I just found a new oxymoron! Miniture Dachshunds.
Here's to survival!
Sunny and Warm here in Pittsburgh!
Getting out of my pool,
Jeff S.
Greg - miniature dachshunds as opposed to standard size dachshunds - which are about the size of bassett hounds. Miniatures are usually under 12-15 pounds & a lot lower to the ground - hence the hesitation to venture out in snow :)
I have a miniature wiener dog as well...his name is Rupert.
As far as Erie goes, it's not the snow that gets to you in winter but the number of grey and cloudy days. We don't call it dreary Erie for nothing.
I guess I was also wrong on the English terminology. Maybe what I meant to ask was "isn't miniture Dachshund" redundant! But I get your explanation. I just didn't realize that there were different varieties of Weiner Dogs.
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