Winter Lingers

7:24 am sunrise 6:36 am sunrise over Grand Coulee Dam, WA March 1 2024

Daily Note

Every day, a photograph, a poem.

Sunrise today was at 6:36 AM. I snapped this photo at 7:24 AM while walking Guthrie. I usually don’t see sunrise; I’m a night person, although I love mornings. Scott, however, is in Spokane covering the state basketball championship tournaments. Our team won its first challenge yesterday, and plays the only team it lost to tonight. If they win, they play for first place tomorrow. We’re all very excited, even those of us who don’t follow sports. One of the players is a neighborhood kid, so we’re very happy for him.

Last night, it snowed. Winter is still here. And in the morning with Guthrie, I loved this view of the Grand Coulee Dam with the sun just peeking over the hills to our little town. I could see winter while watching, and was surprised that the blues I saw remained in the photo. It’s like winter will not let go of us.

I feel it in my bones. Of course, it doesn’t help that Guthrie doesn’t walk nicely on his leash, so this huge dog is always pulling me just a bit. The problem is I can’t keep up with him in my old body. I’d love to run with him, but that’s not possible. My knees don’t work downhill; I walk very slowly downhill. He’s very good on steps and steep hills– he deliberately takes two steps, then waits for me to step. He can sense the difficulties I have with my old bones then. Uphill and flat– I’m OK, and he knows it and wants to go fast. That means the pull and it wears me out. I can hardly believe I once ran five miles each day. Too bad I didn’t keep up with that. I’m so glad I can still walk on this beautiful earth. Thankful for that.

Anyway, between the winter and our teddy bear of a big dog, I was exhausted half way through the walk. Guthrie is good at “Wait,” too. He patiently waits while I catch my strength again. I appreciate that.

And I did like seeing the blues of the morning… I appreciate the small things, and this small thing is glorious.