The ground becomes blanketed in white and there is silence. All the cities, neighborhoods and towns look beautiful as each snowflake falls from the sky. Winter, a time of meditation, comes but once a year. Snow, scientifically defined as a precipitation in the form of flakes of crystalline water ice that falls from clouds, is seen during the winter months. Snow is favorable for crops, for it provides a blanket that protects perennials, bulbs, shrubs and food crops, such as strawberries and garlic. The most fascinating part of the snowfall is the snowflake, an artistic masterpiece of Mother Nature. Did you ever wonder why each snowflake is different? The shape of each snowflake is determined roughly by the temperature at which it is formed.
When a snow storm or blizzard occurs, we get a “snow day.” On snow days, there is no work or school. During these holidays of nature, many people engage in winter activities. In Newark, New Jersey, children play with the snow and make snowballs and snowmen. Families also like to go sledding. In other parts of the United States, skiing is a common pastime. Shoveling snow, a good exercise, is a chore most of us do after a storm.
As we look at the window to watch the snowflakes fall, winter is a wonderful time to engage in creative activities. We may even be inspired to create a work of art or write a masterpiece. Robert Frost, who was an American Pulitzer prize winning poet, was inspired by the winter when he wrote, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” In this poem, Frost discusses the solitude and peacefulness of the winter season. In the following verse of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, Frost reflects about his life: “All miles to go before I sleep.” Frost believes that there are many great things that he wishes to accomplish in his life before he dies; he uses the winter landscape as a place to think about these great dreams.
There is no other season that is as tranquil as the winter. After a snowstorm, sometimes the only sound that you can hear is the wind blowing even in the city. During this time of year, we have a quiet ambiance to reflect about the important things in our lives and think about making our dreams come true.
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