Not a storm

A token Christmas decoration hangs forlornly from a power pole.

After the holidays, decorations look sad, but last year they were so sparse as to be almost non-existent. Though it seems there was one candy cane.

On a public holiday, following a snow storm, Cambridge was even more quiet than usual.

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Although the snow was significant, it isn’t really accurate to term it a storm since the snow fell gently for a prolonged period but without the drama of being whipped up by a savage wind.

The absence of even a breeze allowed the snow to accumulate on branches, the result an entirely different look to the sight created by a blizzard.

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When we went to the choral recital on Sunday , I decided for once not to take my camera and regretted it when I saw how beautifully the world had been transformed since Friday when, looking at the drab countryside, I’d said :“We need snow!”

Luckily, the air remained calm for another 24 hours, so when we went out on Monday there was still plenty to photograph.

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Additionally, the Sun had come out.

Obviously, we had to go for a ride, but which of our routes should we take?

In all likelihood, any one would have been enjoyable, but it is important to bear in mind the angle of the Sun if you plan to take pictures.

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Deciding on Hidden Valley in Vermont, we took route 313 heading north-east.

Which turned out already to be a good move.

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Around each bend, another pretty scene.

And, as you can see, the road was totally clear.

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And almost completely free of traffic.

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Trees wore their snow cover well. It was powdery, so branches were not weighed down.

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On reflection, I think it is unusual for the air to remain this still for such a long period. Wind is something we are quite aware of since we have numerous wind chimes along the porch.

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It was Best Friends that gave me the idea of memorial wind chimes.

When I visited their wonderful animal sanctuary, I wandered in the cemetery called Angel’s Rest where chimes hang from handcrafted trees. As they stirred in a breeze I imagined a chorus of all the departed souls.

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With limited space, we ran out of room to hang chimes but the few voices we hear speak for all our friends on the other side.

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On a chain around my neck I wear a crystal bead that contains a dusting of Panther’s ashes. I have worn it for almost 12 years and only remove it when I absolutely have to. The chain also carries a gold penguin given to me long ago by a dear friend.

Sentimental tokens.

I don’t need objects to remember old friends, yet I treasure them.

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On Monday we remembered to slow for a picture of the old oak tree. It’s magnificent limbs can only really be appreciated when they are bare.

Or when they are delicately sheathed in snow.

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