The Circle Game
Lithuania is truly beautiful at this time of year. The ground is covered with a fine layer of snow, the skies are clear and the sunsets are magnificent. We can watch the sun setting from the warmth of our conservatory. It happens to coincide with our afternoon coffee and we are both drawn to the rapidly descending circle as it approaches the horizon, steaming mugs keeping our hands warm.
Going outside to take photos is a whole different ballgame. Daytime temperatures are currently between -15˚C and -20˚C (5˚F to -4˚F), with night-time temperatures dropping as low as -27˚C (-17˚F). Venturing outdoors requires planning and preparation. Walking the dog (which needs to be done twice a day) means covering every inch of yourself with thick clothing, leaving just a small gap for your eyes. Going to the shop for groceries requires at least 40 minutes notice in order to de-ice the car. The weather is so cold that there is ice on the inside of the glass as well as the outside.
I have to admit I’m quite enjoying it. Despite the extra preparation needed to go outside, this weather is far preferable to what we get in Ireland at this time of year – grey skies, damp air, whirling winds and day after day of rain. We are lucky that our house is warm and cosy, and we are using our inability to go outside as a good excuse to catch up on our reading.
Today, though, the sky was particularly beautiful. It was clear but not blue, with a slight haze that played wonderfully with the light. As I watched with sun sink lower and lower I knew the sunset was going to be spectacular. I asked Arūnas to quickly de-ice the car while I grabbed my camera and got wrapped up. We made it to our vantage point just as the sun was tipping the horizon. It took less than 6 minutes to fully disappear from sight, with me running up and down the road in the snow trying to get a good shot. Given the short window and the fact that my fingers were numb from the cold I’m very happy with the results.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the turning of the seasons. Each one brings new joys to ease the hardships of the one before. Winter brings a time to rest after the tiring work of the harvest. Spring brings a reprieve from the cold weather and short days of winter. Summer brings long sunny days to work outside, tending crops for the winter ahead. Autumn brings abundance – the fruits of endless days toiling in the garden. And so it goes, round and round. “We can’t return, we can only look behind from where we came, and go round and round and round in the circle game.” (Joni Mitchell)
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Your photos are truly works of art!
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Thank you!
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I love that post June. LOVE the photos. Looks absolutely beautiful and I can totally relate to the things a photographer will do to get that shot ☺️☺️
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Thanks Paula! I know – we’ll do daft things to get “that shot”, won’t we! Worth it, though.
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fantastic shots 🙂
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Beautiful photographs!
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oh yes, a beautiful rendering of gorgeous frostiness. So damp and bleak here in muddy Normandie, ah but we envy you your real winter. Keep on keeping snug and booky 🙂
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Well done capturing that given the circumstances! We’ve had a couple of beautiful morning sunrises this week but my kids would floor me for stopping on the mad school run. It’s difficult to imagine that kind of cold given that it’s been so mild here but snow is threatened next week. I was feeling quite glum about it all until yesterday when I found all my summer garden pics. The seasons change soon enough, it’s good to reflect and enjoy them 🙂
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My thoughts exactly, Dee. I know I’ll be looking forward to spring by the time it comes around, but for now I’m happy to enjoy winter in all its chilly, snowy glory!
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Beautiful photos, June. We finally got out to town today and I was amazed how all the trees are frozen white and glistening. I don’t recall ever seeing anything quite like it in America- either the Midwest or New England. Lithuania is surely a special place. Did you see we are going to have snow 5 of the next 7 days? It should be a beautiful week– and a bit warmer!
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I’m very happy we’re going to have a bit more snow, Susan. The earth needs it to protect it from the cold. Last year we got very little snow and it took ages for the earth to defrost enough to plant seeds. Plus, as you say, it should be a bit warmer!
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I understand your love affair with cold and ice and snow and frost and hard winter really well. Coming from Oxford is much like coming from Ireland in terms of the greyness and wetness and generally dank nature of much of winter. So for me getting to my Cantal homel was just like being a little piglet in mud. Your photos are absolutely magnificent and the descriptions of your place utterly enticing for one who is sulking that this year New England (my home for the months, possibly many months) has decided to be warm in winter!
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Oh no! I thought New England was always really cold in winter! That’s a shame. You’re welcome to come here for a visit if you don’t get your fix of chilly weather! 🙂
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I may have to! Last year they had the coldest winter in memory and this year only an inch of snow so far. I feel cheated but there are many months to go – I’m told we aren’t out of the winter woods til April bows and leaves the building!
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Gorgeous photos! Love that sky!
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Beautiful…I enjoy shooting in the cold but frostbit part of my face while rapt in the fantastic forms of ice that build up on our shores and piers. Be careful..and keep your batteries warm!
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Thanks Kim. My battery didn’t have time to get cold yesterday but I really need to get a spare for cold weather use. Took me a while to thaw out my fingers, though!
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Beautiful…
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beautiful and natural circles pouring warmth on the Earth
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Beautiful frosty pictures — the red sun is like the cherry on top!
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I live in North Carolina, U.S.A. And would likely never see such a glorious, frozen sunset if not for your talent and efforts. Thank you!
Lynn
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Lovely post June, with some great photographs; well worth the effort, thanks.
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Lovely! Thanks so much x
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Fabulous photos 🙂
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Beautiful writing, gorgeous photos, June. And Ireland has been even more miserable this winter than most – give me the cold any day! (That said, today was a lovely, crisp one.)
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Cheers Lyn! I was talking with Dad earlier and he mentioned that today was a rare good day. From what I can see online Ireland has been absolutely hammered in the last six weeks. I’d definitely prefer the cold!
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