God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 1:31

This part of the North Carolina Piedmont is well known for spectacular colors: in the fall, in the spring, and even summertime, when the trees are in full leaf and the landscape is saturated with a thousand varieties of green. Then there is winter, leafless and dull other than the occasional picturesque snow.

But sometimes, if I pay close enough attention, even late January can offer its own form of muted beauty.

Sunday lunchtime, driving home from church, I stopped off for a short walk along the Neuse River, and I was struck by the artistry – the architecture – of the leafless trees along the path and the water. It’s the kind of stark beauty you have to look for, like the man with the telescopic lens I talked with, trying to capture hawks high in the branches.

“It’s all about the light on a day like today,” I said.

“Absolutely,” he replied; “isn’t it stunning…”

I talked with a friend recently who said one day of winter was enough. She’s been ready for 80-plus and summer since early November. Not me; I enjoy the balance and the interplay of all four seasons. January suits me just fine.

Of course I may have to launch a “go fund me” targeting one of those huge lenses for my camera!

In gratitude – DEREK