John Ruskin, a famous watercolorist and art critic from the 19th century, once said, “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
I decided that after last Friday’s post on being out of touch, I needed to expend far less energy hating winter. It helps that the book I’m reading (The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate) is all about a young girl who wants to be a naturalist. As I read her observations of the most minute forms of visible life, I am reminded that I spend a lot of time doing but not a lot of time seeing.
Does that make sense?
So despite the frigid temperatures, Matt and I trekked out to our beloved Second Dam (in Logan Canyon) and enjoyed us some nature for as long as we could stand the cold.
As we sat out there with our binoculars, marveling at how the ducks survived these well-below-zero temperatures (especially considering their little stick legs), we noticed something hop up out of the water and onto the ice:
Our very own muskrat.
Even though it seems like such a simple thing, it was thrilling to see him dive down into the depths below the ice, glide like an eel through the water,and pop himself up again as gracefully as a dancer.
It was like he came out just for us, to reward us for going out and seeking the wonder in the world (instead of staying holed up inside, watching our new DVDs of Seinfeld).
We named him Petey.
Even though our adventure involved us practically skiing down snowy stairs and getting numb fingers and toes and noses and ears, it was undeniably a completely refreshing way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
And after, when we were sure we’d never be able to feel our outward extremities ever again, we took a detour into Herm’s Inn, this fantastic local diner that we’ve always been meaning to eat at together but had just never taken the time (because it’s just so much easier to go to your tried-and-true places, ya know?).
In a word:
Scrumptious.
And from it all, I’m reminded, once again, that if I feel like I’m stuck in a rut or out of touch or whatever it may be, I HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THAT.
And that’s a truly beautiful thing.
What did you do to refresh yourself over the weekend?