Show S B By IRIS filS Trying to be reasonably Joyful during the cold long days of winter I know there are things I really like during these months When I take the time to list them it helps me last until spring I LIKE MANY OF THE smells of winter There is the scent of cold wind blowing from a night blue field of snow the smell of the air when it is heavy with the threat of new storm and the rich odor of warmth when I come indoors with lungs tight from frost There I a the wool wet smell of little boys whose mittens hold new newly 1 formed snowballs and the aroma of f pine logs blazing in a fireplace when the dark and cold are arc out and I am in in WINTER HAS SPECIAL sounds too Since they are often quieter than the exuberant sounds of summer summer sum sum- mer it is necessary to listen for them I like the crisp crunch of snow underfoot when I march briskly forth on a moonlit night I like the whisper of bare branches as they hen blown by a chill wind and I like the sound of that wind It Is a lost and lonesome yearning as it cries around the corners of the house and loses its way in its blowing along the salt flats and beyond to the lake I like the sound of water dripping from the gutters when the sun becomes bright enough to melt snow off the roof And I like to listen to the children as they call back and forth coasting down our street on sleds although I Jm am much less fond of the sound of the drivers who shout at them to get out of the way WHEN WINTER IS RECALLED from the colorful days of summer it seems to be a season of all white when the snow lies deep or all brown when the rain falls Actually there are many colors in winter even though the they are muted I My favorite is the deep blue on the mountain in such sharp contrast to the white of the snow And speaking or of winter colors there is nothing more brightly beautiful than the sparkle of sun on fresh snow Nor Is there a lovelier sight any time of year than bushes trees and houses mounded deep under fresh white The sight of rain frozen on those I same bushes trees and houses is even more spectacular spectacular spec spec- but worry about what damage the frozen rain will will do rather takes away the enjoyment I i I THE FLASH OF A MIGRANT birds bird's bright wing i ithe the lacy pattern of leafless branches against a I storm gray sky mammoth snowflakes floating past the window are other winter scenes I enjoy A few of the tasks of winter are better remembered remembered though than done I dont don't really mind shovelIng shoveling shovel shovel- Ing snow ore off the driveway except the scrape of metal on concrete sets my teeth on e always edge has and I haven't been able to figure out a way to do the job without making the contact al least once in a while BUT WHEN I WAKEN ON a winter morning to hear snowflakes crashing anew on the lawn I dont don't really mind To be sure winter Is always more more enjoyable in retrospect but it can be endured at atthe atthe the time of its happening Or at least It can if one is willing to make the effort |