Winter Escape

I’m in the middle of the long dark now. The sun barely rises by 10:00 AM. Then a few minutes after 3:00,  it’s already setting. I’m definitely feeling the effects of SAD syndrome. It feels like the long dark  night of my soul, too.

Western Columbine
Crimson Columbine

The weather this week doesn’t help. It’s cold, windy, grey, gloomy, rainy, sleety, icy – pretty much everything I dread about winter in Alaska.  It feels like the grimmest month of the grimmest year of my life.

Fairy Garden
Sparrow’s-Egg Ladyslippers

I need to escape. Most winters I can do this physically, like birds and whales, overcoming the dark and dreariness by heading south and avoiding it altogether. Due to Covid, that really wasn’t an option this year.

Lupines
Lupines

But there is a way out. A way to make my winter escape. I can travel in my mind, trading the monochrome greys outside my door for brighter, happier shades, traveling back in time through my photo files to the vibrant colors of summer wildflowers in the Wrangells.

Wild Orchids
Round-Leaved Orchid

“Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.” – Joseph Campbell

Winter Escape
Wild Roses along the McCarthy Road

Perhaps you too are feeling the drain from this long dark scary winter. Is the adversity and uncertainty so many of us are experiencing right now getting you down, too? Join me then on this journey in my mind, a winter escape to a bright and peaceful land filled with the ephemeral beauty of my favorite subject, wildflowers.

Pond Lilies
Pond Lilies

Thank you, Tina of Travels & Trifles, for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, You Pick It!

Dwarf Dogwood
Dwarf Dogwood, aka Bunchberries

 

9 Replies to “Winter Escape”

    1. Thanks, Maria. I wish, but it’ll be some time in January before we even have as much light as we do now! But today is frosty pretty, not grey and dreary so that’s a big plus!

  1. What a wonderful way to retreat from winter’s chill Dianne. Your wildflowers are gorgeous – and something to look forward to as the bleak days recede and spring’s gentle touch invites them (and you) back to enjoy the return of warmth. Yes this year in particular it is such a challenge for so many. Spring and hopefully the vaccine cannot come soon enough.

  2. I loved traveling with you to brighter memories. Thank you for having me. I dwell in darkness just like you – at the end of December the light will change its course and come back. Slowly. I love the light and the colours in your mind’s flowers. Thank you again for brightening my mind and day…reminding me of a spring to come in the end.

  3. Thank you, Dianne for taking us to a bright and peaceful land. These beautiful wildflowers make me smile. I’m hope it will get better next year.

  4. Glad you could join me, Amy! i am certain that next year will be better. I feel it’s slowly but surely getting better already!

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