it's true - fall has always been my favorite season and as a young mother (who’d grown up in practically weather-free orange county, california) of very active littles -- i had to learn to not only survive winter in our high valley within the rockies, but look forward to, and even looove winter.
in a way, i learned to submit to the unpredictability and sheer amount of snow - its spontaneous timing and the realization that our agendas might require rescheduling. i learned we couldn’t even plan on the savviest of weather reports or hourly apps. 
we learned to find joy and beauty in winter whenever it came. we hiked amidst it all, listened to the snow crunching as we quietly walked, learned not to eat it lol, built trails to sled on, listened to or chased the geese in the field, bought really warm boots, learned to layer, downhill & x-country skied and would come home and cozy properly when satisfied.
i learned to embrace the solitude and the quiet. i began to see new colors and palettes everywhere.
the symbolism within each season began to speak to me — to invite a more intentional way of living —embracing death, rest, rebirth and growth. with it brought a deeper gratitude for mother earth and all she’s trying to teach us.
i learned to recognize and have a desire to let go of things and traditions no longer serving me & my family. i celebrated that death before the cozy rest of winter, and looked forward with hope to spring, its new beginnings, and the new life it offered me.
the symbolism within each season began to speak to me — to invite a more intentional way of living —embracing death, rest, rebirth and growth. with it brought a deeper gratitude for mother earth and all she’s trying to teach us.
i learned to recognize and have a desire to let go of things and traditions no longer serving me & my family. i celebrated that death before the cozy rest of winter, and looked forward with hope to spring, its new beginnings, and the new life it offered me.
and then 2025-26 winter came…and unexpectedly didn’t come. we grieved. confusion, sadness, disappointment, frustration and bewilderment overtook many of our days and thoughts. eventually we gave up on winter and its arrival. carl took garry on canadian ski trip to celebrate his early graduation. we adapted once more to its unpredictable nature and timing. and i’ve been pondering on possible lessons mother nature is again trying to teach us.
has a death in our lives been overcome? are we to bravely face a new world, a rebirth of things we’ve never experienced? what truly lies in front of us?
whatever it is that is coming or beginning this spring of 2026, i know that i’m looking forward to celebrating the resurrection of our lord and savior jesus christ more than ever before. truly, the best is yet to come.
truth continues to whisper to me and you: whatever the symbolic winter storms you and your loved ones have been facing — HE is there, walking beside you, willing to guide and direct your path, provide endless discernment and love.
i go to the barn because i like the
30"named after the song by “band of horses”. listen here
i'll be dropping it at the gallery next week along with two new florals ;). they're not on the website yet, but you can call pando fine art for first dibs and more info: 435.602.1096
444 main street | pando fine art | part of golden spiral fine art
see all of my paintings currently available at the gallery
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