I really must confess that it was oh-so-tempting to stay curled up in the confines of my comfy bed and perhaps skip the frosty walk this morning. It is not as if the below-average temps, which hovered at 21 degrees, and the accompanying 11-degree wind chill factor, beckoned me to throw off the covers, swing my legs over the side of the bed and get going anytime soon. I hit the snooze button once, then another time, as I wavered on taking further action. Then the greedy part of me wanting to grab the golden ring, i.e. the goal attainment of 500 miles walked by December 31st, and that was the deciding factor, so I just acquiesced and got up.

Shortly after sunrise I was bundled up and out the door. The snow was still lingering in dribs and drabs on grassy areas and amidst the light layer of snow where grass blades dared to poke through, there were dabs and smidges of color from the still-perky perennials and annuals. Some of the rosebushes I’ve seen are still in brilliant bloom and even have rosebuds frozen upon their stems. There are no sweet smells emitting from them anymore, just a beautiful still life picture of a perfectly formed bud, like the one you see above, and so very picturesque in an otherwise drab yard. The dusty miller plants look as fresh as near Labor Day and are the hardiest of any of the annuals. I’ve seen people in my neighborhood leave them out all Winter and they don’t look bedraggled, but just perpetually wearing their white hazy color which looks like sugar coating or a layer of frost on the plant. I saw cold-weather pansies popping their faces out from beneath holiday decorations and even the petunias and a few impatiens are plucky given the heavy layer of frost on the ground. In some cases, these annuals looked like they have fared better than the potted mums which took a beating with all the rain we have had in the last fortnight or so. Unfortunately the hanging baskets are wearing a hangdog look and really, it is time to pack up some of those porch pots from Summer of 2013.

I’m happy to hear this cold snap may be over by tomorrow. I saw breath vapors as I hurried along and once down at Council Point Park I saw steam rising out of the Creek and there were ducks aplenty at their usual spot just quacking up a storm. They looked at me expectantly and I shrugged my shoulders and mouthed “soon, I promise”. I’ll buy a cheap loaf of bread next time I’m at the store, then divvy it up for several treat-giving trips. Plus, the way a squirrel stopped me in my tracks, sat on his haunches and begged as I walked along the Park path, just about melted my heart. I must look like a soft touch, so I guess I will add peanuts in the shell to my grocery list. I’ll scatter a few along the trail when I see some of my squirrel buddies. It will make their day and I will go to Heaven for sure.

On this World Kindness Day, did you brighten someone’s day with a smile or a kind word? Mother Teresa said it best: “Peace begins with a smile.”