A. Walden's photostream  

God and other artists are always a little obscure.

-- Oscar Wilde

But not for long as the forecast calls for temps suddenly going into the 50s (10-15C) tomorrow...and staying there for some time, putting an end to a remarkably mild (by our standards) winter. However, before bidding us adieu, a perfect convergence of heavy snow and moderate temps served to create this rather remarkable, if not somewhat menacing, ice creation hanging off the eaves of my garage. About a month ago, I uploaded a similar shot, however, here the inward curve and pure numbers of icicles are particularly impressive...something I don't believe I've ever seen before.

And to march you into the weekend: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBmueYJ0VhA

Also known as "Your Tax Dollars at Work," this competition is open to a select few...namely the county snow plow drivers...and has some very stringent qualifying criteria for participation. I'm not sure what they are, but, trust me, they are stringent. I believe the driver responsible for this image was awarded the gold medal for simultaneously taking out an entire bank of mailboxes (5 -- also known as a "Pentathalon") in one pass, leaving them completely akimbo and supported by about 4 feet of plowed snow. Unfortunately, the homeowners were unable to truly appreciate such an accomplishment, as all are summer residents. With the thaw and their imminent return, and upon finding the spoils of this victory laying unceremoniously on the road, I am certain they will express themselves in appropriate fashion.

As one who has been active in sports for a large portion of my life, I have never quite grasped the enthusiasm of many with ice fishing, a very popular pastime here in the Northwoods. While I have been an avid fisherman and love the challenge of the hunt and the thrill of the strike as much as the next guy, the joy of sitting on an overturned bucket on two feet of ice in the middle of a lake while hunched over an augured hole with a miniature pole for hours at a time in 10F (-10C) temps is somehow lost on me. To such a degree, in fact, that I have never even tried it and quickly declined any invitation to do so.

However, I might be willing to concede that I may be missing something. As you can see by the pair of aficianodoes above, their excitement is such that they appear barely able to contain themselves -- the energy and sense of anticipation from the activity palpable. (I believe the guy standing has actually fallen asleep.) Almost irresistible, nay? Yes, well...I reckon I'll still confine myself to walks in winter and save the fishing for the spring...

God does not die on the day we cease to believe in a personal deity. But we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance of wonder renewed daily, the source of which is beyond all reason.

-- Dag Hammarskjold