Today

The river froze over. As I came back from work I saw a group of kids walking about on it, and trying to throw bricks through it. There was also an old mattress they had been using as a sled down the hill. It reminded me of when we used a dustbin lid as a sled.

It was a beautiful day that made me think of Winter's Tale.  (Mark Helprin)

Winter then in its early and clear stages, was a purifying engine that ran unhindered over city and country, alerting the stars to sparkle violently and shower their silver light into the arms of bare upreaching trees. It was a mad and beautiful thing that scoured raw the souls of animals and man, driving them before it until they loved to run.

The sky was translucent grey with pink and blue flushing through. The trees were stark and icy, the grass frosted and crossed with footsteps. The air was still, but so cold you could feel the warmth of your blood flooding your body with every heartbeat. Nothing makes life so keen as the little-death of winter.