Two weeks ago, I was shoveling snow off the porch, two days ago, I was walking around the farm in shirtsleeves and watching out for ticks. This morning, it was eight degrees outside and bitterly cold. By Monday, it will be in the 40’s again. The plans are confused, budding and then freezing, the animals seem disoriented, the birds excited and bewildered. I think of the poor farmers trying to understand their land and the weather, so central to them.

Our world is changing, yet it is quite beautiful. I saw Mother Nature’s artistry on the bedroom windowsill this morning. The skies are rich and dense and lovely. Winter is confused, but still beautiful.