Happy Solstice!

windswept snow on the open soccer field at Van Cortlandt Park

With holiday-shopping (or in our case holiday-crafting) mayhem on top of a relentless work schedule, it's easy to lose track of the bigger things happening outside ourselves. As I try to speed up and fit more tasks into my day, the world has been telling me to slow down, obey the sun's pattern, sleep a lot, drink vats of hot chocolate, and eat slow-braised root vegetables.  The winter solstice today is the shortest day of the year, and is a welcome reminder to take a deep breath and enjoy the short wintry day we have been given.  As the official start of winter, today is a great day to remember the delightful aspects of the season before the gray snow numbs us to any nearby joy.

The Northeast got slammed with a bunch of snow on Saturday.  This had the unfortunate effect of cancelling the flight Jeff and I were to take Sunday morning to Colorado.  (We're flying out tomorrow instead.)  However, we weren't about to let the FAA take all the fun out of our day.  Rather, we took the subway up to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx decked out in our boots, fleeces and shells to tromp around in the snow.

We summited the two highest peaks in the park, a whopping 320 feet tall, and meandered throughout  the beautiful woodland trails.  While we never felt crowded, we certainly didn't have the park to ourselves.  Dozens of other outdoor enthusiasts were out tobogganing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.  They all looked so happy to have their hobbies so accessible.

It's slated to snow again in New York next Wednesday, December 30.  Get some gaiters* to keep snow out of your boots and get outside!

* I have these ones in black.  They're awesome and nicely tailored so you don't look like you have trashbags on your calves.