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| Flying into O'Hare on a winter's night. |
A week ago we flew back to the upper Midwest, and I was glad to hear that the weather was going to warm up a little. One thing I don't miss is sub-zero cold; we just don't get much of that in western Oregon, and I've grown soft.
The temperatures reached up into the teens: down right balmy.
It occurred to me that I like how the cold makes your cheeks sting,
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| Tracks left by ice skaters on the snowy pathway to the rink |
how the snow squeaks and crunches underfoot on a frigid day.
Every ordinary landscape that I see through the car window is unmistakeably from the heartland.
Every red barn is like a familiar old friend.
And all of the village taverns look inviting.
The yellow brick architecture against vivid blue skies...I can pick this out of a thousand photos and feel sure that it came from southeastern Wisconsin. Taken on Groundhog's Day, it appears as though there will be six more weeks of winter.
After a week of visiting it was time to leave the snow and head back to the mild climate of Oregon's west side.
Well, not quite so mild. This is the view from the front porch as of two hours ago. It's still coming down, and I bet we could get at least 8 inches before it's over. I guess the groundhog saw his shadow on February 2nd here as well as in Wisconsin: the winter of 2014 will not be soon forgotten no matter where you live.
LOVED the farm scenes! and the blatz sign. and the word 'tavern' that is so typical wisconsin. :)
ReplyDeletestay warm! we're cold in texas, too.
I knew you would recognize these things, Theresa! I also like the word "tavern."
DeleteJust sitting here in the Pearl District watching it come down. The wind is beginning to get a bit blustery and it reminds me of the midwest. These are great photos Kerry!
ReplyDeleteRubye, I hear it's getting nasty in Portland this afternoon. Stay warm! It'll all turn to rain soon enough.
DeleteIf only we could all be drinking Blatz beer.
ReplyDeleteTruer words were never spoken.
DeleteThank you so much for coming home, even for a short visit. Even the Wisconsin countryside welcomed you back! Gorgeous, familiar pictures. Sorry you couldn't escape the snow, but that's the crazy winter we're all having! Except for California, I guess, with its drought and heat. That would feel pretty good about now! Back down to the sub-zero temps of last week, but blue, blue sky.
ReplyDeleteBrrrrr. We were lucky with the weather, not to mention flights out of Chicago that night. It was a great trip!
DeleteThe heartland scenes are terrific! Never heard of Blatz Beer, but it does indeed look inviting there.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter texted a snowy photo of Portland. They were able to leave work early. Definitely unusual for that area. Be safe!
Portland finally got some snow; they were hit less hard than we were. I think it's their 1st big one this year.
DeleteBlatz is an old-timey Milwaukee beer that is hard to find other places. :-)
Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteSeems no matter where you are, it's snow snow snow...that snowy landscape is what Kentucky has looked like for weeks now. So unusual!
My brother-in-law lives in KY & says the same thing: whatta winter.
DeleteLovely pics - snow snow everywhere not a hot spot anywhere :(
ReplyDeletehaha! Yes. But we are having a drought here in the far west this winter, so in many ways it is welcome.
DeleteI do not remember a more bitter cold in my lifetime. The bite is such on my skin that it almost feels like a lit match it touching my face and any part of my body that is exposed to the wind. If I don't cover my mouth when I go out to feed the chickens, I can actually feel my lungs and heart freezing.
ReplyDeleteThe biting cold is what I remember from my childhood. When it's so cold you can't even talk, and the inside of your nose freezes, and your eyelashes too. Dangerous cold.
DeleteI can see why it would be startling when youre not sued to it anymore. Nice tour for us though.
ReplyDeleteThanks AV!
Deletethis is how I like snow...in pictures. I find nothing good about it in real life. The novelty wears off pretty darn fast. and this winter has been interminable. I am so over it. we've had our two and a half months of it, now it's time to be over!
ReplyDeleteSurely spring is on its way. I was looking at recent pics of TX and there was a spring-like quality to the landscape. Soooon!
DeleteWhat lovely images. You have such a talent, Kerry.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie.
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