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Praetorium Honoris

Saturday, February 6, 2016

New England, My Home


New England is where I was born and raised, I left for many a year, only to return, to settle down, to grow old with those I love.

The winter thus far has been mild, a dusting of snow in late December, a few inches in January, a few more this February. Though this snow was wet and heavy, it was pretty.


I expect to die here in New England, some day long in the future, I hope. It's my home, my thoughts, my memories, my childhood dreams always bring me back. The bones of my ancestors lie sleeping in her hills, generations of my family have lived here. Some went away to war and returned, some have lived here their entire lives without traveling farther than Boston.

A bit of Robert Frost seems appropriate and fitting for this day as I look out over the snow covered landscape.
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
The little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

While I sat in my room, reading and relaxing, for I had the day off, The Missus Herself suddenly called out to me and bade me "look out the window!"

The storm had passed and the sun was preparing to bed down for the evening, giving us a last hurrah before sinking below the western horizon.

The sparkle and glow of the new fallen snow was wondrous to behold. A thick white blanket covered the world.





The beauty of it brought tears to my eyes, there are things given to us by our Maker which make one humble. This day was one of those precious gifts.






















This post is dedicated to my grandchildren. Just today my daughter-in-law told me how much my grandson wanted to see snow again. His sister has never seen it.

There you go my babies, next time you visit in winter, perhaps we can go sledding. Grandpa's not so old yet that he can't enjoy a day in the snow with his bairns!



28 comments:

  1. There you go my babies, next time you visit in winter, perhaps we can go sledding. Grandpa's not so old yet that he can't enjoy a day in the snow with his bairns!
    May you have that wish and more!
    I was born and raised here on Cape Cod,,,,,,,,,,we have and have had, many varied kinds of winter. Having lived and worked in many countries, some tropical, some less so, I enjoyed the warmth yet missed the changes and the ocean when it wasn't immediately near. In my dotage I'm happy to be back here. Except NOT today! Brrrr.

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    1. Friday was a good day to sit inside and watch it snow.

      In my youth I would have been outside playing in it, all day.

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  2. Really nice pictures and thoughts. Almost makes me want to move back to Newport. Almost.

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    1. I understand the "almost."

      Out on the southern California coast a few weeks ago, almost didn't want to come home. Again, there's that almost.

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  3. My, such new memories. My so rather then enjoying the sight, would have said, go shovel, with all your might.

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  4. I love wet snows, when all the branches are covered with a layer of frosting, and the branches on the trees on hillsides stand out in such brilliant relief against the darker snow on the ground. Winter is good! We are supposed to have a brief burst of sub zero next week,but I just bought a new Safety Green/Silver tape ANSI coat, that is good to -40F, so I am good to go.

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    1. At those temps you need the right gear. DAMHIK.

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    2. You actually do acclimate. I have walked out to Vlad the Impala on a still -4 morning, with the sun shining out of a clear blue sky, and thought, " It's really kind of a nice day ".

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    3. It's been a long time since I was in a "real" winter but yes, you do get used to it.

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  5. Beautiful pics, Sarge. Although I'm thinking someone out there might have some serious snow shoveling to do.

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    1. Thanks MMC, there was shoveling involved, very little done by me. By design.

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  6. Loved your photographs. Used to enjoy playing in the snow: https://www.facebook.com/jmawelsh/media_set?set=a.10150299720808521.341848.542333520&type=3
    It's ironic that now I'm forbidden to even clean the snow off of my car, lest it put too much strain on my heart.
    I now understand why old folks migrate down to Florida . . . or Arizona.
    Thanks for the memories.

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    1. Ah yes, I remember those pictures of yours.

      One of the reasons we hired someone to do the driveway (and the grass in summer) was that it was getting to be too much of a strain on the sewed up old gut of mine.

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  7. Your ninth photo, with the odd-looking trees, brings to mind some of the drawings made by Dr. Suess for his books. Since Suess was originally from Springfield in Massachusetts, I wonder if he wasn't inspired by similar scenes? In any case, wonderful photos and thanks for sharing them!

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    1. Ah yes, The Missus Herself's topiaries. The neighbor down the street calls them "alien trees."

      Now I will always think of them as Dr Seuss trees. Good one Suldog!

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  8. Beautiful pics, Sarge. Always loved the look of a heavy snow, but not always living with it. Hope you've got the sno-blower well oiled. :)

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    1. Thanks Virgil.

      We pay someone to do our driveway. Beats getting up at oh-dark-thirty and doing it myself!

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  9. How come there are no snowmen? Hmmmmmm? How about some snowgirls? Perhaps this year I will expose the waggish snow art of the local 5th and 6th graders who sometimes get loose on school grounds after the snow falls after dark and create the most marvelous and unspeakable sights for their unamused elders. Little devils. :)

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    1. Well, the lack of snow "persons" can be explained by the dearth of young'uns in this neighborhood. Mostly we're all "mature" adults who's children have grown up and now have paying jobs. For the most part.

      Photos, I need photos of 5th and 6th graders being creative.

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  10. Another nice post Sarge. As with others, the pictures bring back many memories of growing up in MI. Great fun as a kid and young adult: skiing (downhill & XC), snowmobiles, ice fishing, long days in the woods with feet of fresh, untrodden snow. The silence in the middle of the woods during a heavy snow is so pervasive that it is almost like being in the desert.

    After 30 years, NC is home now, plus all my family has eventually all moved here. Hope the grandkids get up to see you, and the snow, soon.

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    1. Thanks Ron. Yeah, the deep woods during a snowfall are something.

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  11. Just spectacular images! Nature is the only one who can produce such glory and I am seriously blessed to be able to witness her work every day. I feel sorry for all the poor folks madly rushing about, chained to a clock and clutching desperately at what they believe to be their life control actuator, blind to the Lord's calming, uplifting, dazzling wonderworks.

    Fifth and Sixth grade. Probably the peak of human existence.

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    1. Indeed, the Lord was busy with his paintbrush at sunset on Friday!

      Concur with your characterization of 5th and 6th grade. It was fun and exciting. While it wasn't all downhill after that, I definitely "plateau-ed" for a few years.

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  12. Very pretty, your pictures. I'm just as happy to not be living with the white stuff.

    Paul L. Quandt

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    1. Paul, it's an acquired taste, that's for sure.

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