Finding Beauty in the Mundane: An Artistic Snow Day

Winter Boxes on a Snow Day, geometric patterns in the frost, an image by Carol Schiraldi of Carol's Little World.
“Winter Boxes/Snow Day,” by Carol Schiraldi

Ah, winter! That season that tries really hard to be all magical with its frosted tree branches and soft, fluffy snowflakes. Yet here I am, in Texas, dealing with a freak snowfall and a driveway that looks like it’s auditioning for a snow-themed reality show. Let’s talk about this artwork—a snapshot of my not-so-enchanted outdoor space, where concrete meets chaos, courtesy of Old Man Winter. Welcome to my snow day, it’s bring your own shovel.

At first glance, you might think, “Why on Earth would anyone want to capture a snowy driveway?” But hold on to your hot chocolate; allow me to take you on a little journey.

The texture here is raw and real—it’s concrete’s grumpy face after being bombarded with winter’s white powder. The snow creates this almost rebellious pattern, defiantly sipping coffee and tapping its fingers while waiting for spring to show up. Those little brown patches peeking through? That’s my driveway saying, “Hey! I’m still here, even if I’m buried under a layer of frost.”

And let’s not overlook the drama of this intersection of snow and concrete. Picture it: me trying to navigate a winter wonderland that’s more of a winter ‘why-would-you-do-this-to-me?’ Cars are probably gliding by, barely a glance at our poor driveway’s attempt at artistry. It’s the perfect metaphor for our lives, isn’t it? We’re often so busy rushing from one thing to another that we miss the artistic expressions happening right beneath our noses. This driveway is a reminder that life doesn’t always have to be meticulously planned; sometimes, those random patterns of snow are what make the journey worthwhile.

So here’s where my mildly sarcastic tone comes in: do you think Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, just took a bunch of powdered sugar from her pantry and sprinkled it randomly? She knew exactly what she was doing. The contrast between the cold, hard surface of concrete and the soft, gentle touch of snowfall is about as poetic as it gets.

You might be sipping your coffee, rolling your eyes, and waiting impatiently for winter to play nice with spring. But before you dash out to scrape off your windshield, take a sec to appreciate how this texture plays around with patterns. It’s a reminder that sometimes chaos gives birth to beauty—like the way a last-minute dinner might turn into a culinary masterpiece (or a complete disaster).

So the next time you find yourself dodging snowflakes in the South (because, seriously, who even knew this was a thing?), take a moment to soak in the little details. You never know; you might just discover the breathtaking artistry in the mundane, much like this delightful capture of snow and concrete. Embrace the winter sass, appreciate the intricate dance of textures, and hey, maybe even share a laugh at how the universe constantly messes with our expectations.

Cheers to finding beauty where we least expect it!

Until next time…

PS If you are not busy snow skiing in New Orleans, why not subscribe to my list so you never miss a beat.

2 Comments

  1. Laurel
    January 22, 2025 / 6:21 am

    I’m trying to slow down and see life in this way too.

    • January 23, 2025 / 2:41 am

      The snow day has been a bit of a blessing, maybe both a blessing and a curse for me. It’s cold, bitter cold, and I’m trapped inside, but I am enjoying the downtime. It’s like getting a day off of sorts. Good times. Thanks.

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