February

February 2018

These last days of February seem to last longer than they are. There are days of grinding cold here in Iowa, punctuated by a day or two of sunny warmth, then more days of gray sky and sweeping wind. Snow sometimes falls heavily.  In 2018, snow was disappearing, color was coming into the big bluestem along Druid Hill Creek, and the remainder of the month was seasonable. 

February 2019

On the other hand, the following year the snow covered the banks and drifted deep over the frozen creek. Nonetheless, this time of year the light changes and goes a little more golden. Like hope in times of travail. We would need it. The pandemic followed.

February 2020

Then in 2020, at the height of the covid crisis, though the light was warm on the frozen trees and land, the snow was as deep as it had ever been. 

This year the pandemic seems to be less a raging fire and more and more an evolving aftermath. The news is more encouraging as case numbers and deaths decline. It's tempting to declare the pandemic finished, but one suspects and fears a return. In the meantime, the light goes more golden and the earth warms. The season creeps forward as do we all.