White is not a mere absence of color; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. God paints in many colors; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white. ~G.K. Chesterton
Fierce and definate are perfect words for white. I can’t imagine snow being any other color. Our first blizzard is here. School was cancelled. Plans were cancelled. I took Beatrix to a window to see snow. She looked away, bothered by the glare. I watched the dog lop and bounce and struggle to get to her favored spots in the yard. I commend her for trying.
They say if you are ever caught in an avalanche, start swimming. A blizzard is an avalanche of the atmosphere. So we swim inside our warm house—moving, cleaning, wrapping, squabbling, eating, contemplating, reading, yawning, sipping, considering, remembering. It’s easy to give into the momemetum of the hypnotic white swirl. It’s called hybernation.
Daddy shovels, mom warms soup on the stove and butters hot dog buns. Only the baby naps.
Yes, it’s gorgeous. Paint on.
Funny, I just read the headline about the blizzard in your area and hopped over here to make sure you were warm and toasty! 😉 Hope you had plenty of groceries stocked up and that your Christmas plans aren’t affected too much.
Be merry!
Knowing bloggers all over makes the weather report come alive, doesn’t it? I’ve been reading about Seattle, and read three bloggers out there who had a spell without electricity.
Now it’s you in Denver. Stay warm!
Been thinking of you out there in the blizzard. I’m a tad bit jealous, our Christmas is destined to be brown.
I love that quote from G.K. Chesterton! Can you tell me where you got it from?
Ben–I remember reading it a few years ago. When the blizzard hit, it was brought to mind. So I did a search of Chesterton quotes and was very pleased to find it once more. It was at one of those quote websites. It didn’t say what book or essay the quote came from, unfortunately.