We sometimes forget that scenes of winter do not necessarily have to include snow and ice. Whereas the white stuff is in some ways symbolic of the season, recent years have shown that the traditional White Christmas need not necessarily be white. Even so, there is still plenty that brilliantly distinguishes the dormant season from the others – even beyond the spike in utility bills - whenever one is so moved as to venture outdoors.
The most obvious indication of the winter is trees and plants. Most of us ignore the dry, brittle, often thorny stuff as much as we open our hearts the tender greens of spring. We often fail to see the majesty of exquisitely branching trees that bring Benoit Mandelbrot’s theoretical ‘Fractal Geometry of Nature’ to stunning life; of the deft tangle of underbrush; the yellowing grass and the crunch of dry leaves underfoot. Even when viewing the accompanying pictures in the comfort of a properly heated home, one gets a whiff of the cold air that seems to expand so pleasantly in one’s lungs; that crisp feeling of Zen-like awareness; energy ignited and coursing through one’s limbs, urging one to stride swiftly; while every detail of nature outlines starkly on a canvas of muted colors.
Summit’s Bryant Park is similar to any popular gathering place in any town. It’s a draw for outdoor enthusiasts whatever the season. There’s a walking path that circles a duck pond. Along it, there are numbered stations, each with a line drawing that describes some particular exercise. Dogs are allowed as long as their owners consent to clean up after them.
Peter Koelliker; pkoelliker8@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment