Day 931

This morning, the snow was a beautiful reminder that we live in Minnesota! The pups love to romp around while Lilly and Ranger enjoy a “snowy back rub” as they go belly-up for a wiggle or two!

For their walking partner, it’s time for boots and layers! I don’t mind at all! Going for their brisk walks (Lilly and Ranger still walk together.) and then returning to the coziness of a warm home is magical indeed!

Today, as I walked along, I noticed all of the tracks in the fresh snow and realized they told a story. I was not the first to make my mark in the snow this morning!

First, I realized that a loving neighbor had shoveled the sidewalk and even cleaned the area from the house to the garage. What a lovely gift made even more beautiful by its anonymity.

Next, I noticed that a bunny had hopped down our driveway, but suddenly bolted in a hurry! The length of the jump became longer and ended in some dense underbrush. Note to self… add some corn under the bird feeders.

Speaking of the birds, they are ravenous and of so many varieties! Looking under the feeders illuminated the diversity with their various sized prints left behind as they foraged on the ground.

Walking along, I could see where other dogs had proceeded us. The paw prints were of different sizes and their individual paths zigzagged on their own private adventure. The Goldens followed up on a few, but were busy enjoying their own exploits.

Down by our neighborhood preschool, my heart was warmed by the footsteps on the walkways. My favorite was a set… one small, one large… who must have been holding hands. The larger set seemed to be dragging along with a bit of effort. My theory is a grandfather and child making their way to school…hand-in-hand. What a beautiful scene .

Footprints in the snow can tell us so much about our world. Not only WHO walks there, but an insight into the deeper experience that went before us. Little birds taking turns, a bunny scurrying for cover, dogs on a mission and generations walking with an aura of love surrounding them.

I will be watchful as the winter takes hold and more stories are written in the snow. Perhaps someone is watching my own footsteps with my Goldens…