Catherine Nicolai

But still, I felt like I'd stumbled upon something miraculous. I squatted down to look more closely and noticed that

In the bright sun, the snow and ice sparkled like glitter, with a rainbow of colors that I could only catch when the light hit just right.

In the bright sun, the snow and ice sparkled like glitter, with a rainbow of colors that I could only catch when the light hit just right.

In the bright sun, the snow and ice sparkled like glitter, with a rainbow of colors that I could only catch when the light hit just right.

I stood up, tossing the dangling end of my scarf, back over my shoulder. I remembered that I had the newspaper under my arm, and that while I did have my boots and coat on, I was still dressed in my pajamas under it all. And maybe I should regroup before continuing any adventures.

I stood up, tossing the dangling end of my scarf, back over my shoulder. I remembered that I had the newspaper under my arm, and that while I did have my boots and coat on, I was still dressed in my pajamas under it all. And maybe I should regroup before continuing any adventures.

I stood up, tossing the dangling end of my scarf, back over my shoulder. I remembered that I had the newspaper under my arm, and that while I did have my boots and coat on, I was still dressed in my pajamas under it all. And maybe I should regroup before continuing any adventures.

Making my way back across the street and up the block to my house, I found myself taking one deep breath after another drawing this new energy deep inside to fill my cup. At my house, I dropped the newspaper on the kitchen table to read later and went to change into jeans.

Making my way back across the street and up the block to my house, I found myself taking one deep breath after another drawing this new energy deep inside to fill my cup. At my house, I dropped the newspaper on the kitchen table to read later and went to change into jeans.

Making my way back across the street and up the block to my house, I found myself taking one deep breath after another drawing this new energy deep inside to fill my cup. At my house, I dropped the newspaper on the kitchen table to read later and went to change into jeans.

I felt the urge to open a window, but I knew I was getting well ahead of myself. I remembered an early spring day years before.

I felt the urge to open a window, but I knew I was getting well ahead of myself. I remembered an early spring day years before.

I felt the urge to open a window, but I knew I was getting well ahead of myself. I remembered an early spring day years before.

when I'd had my first apartment, and how desperate I had been to let warm air in on a sunny day. I'd opened all the windows and gone out with friends for lunch.

when I'd had my first apartment, and how desperate I had been to let warm air in on a sunny day. I'd opened all the windows and gone out with friends for lunch.

when I'd had my first apartment, and how desperate I had been to let warm air in on a sunny day. I'd opened all the windows and gone out with friends for lunch.

our outing had lasted longer than I'd planned. And by the time I'd made it back home, my little flat was cold and drafty.

our outing had lasted longer than I'd planned. And by the time I'd made it back home, my little flat was cold and drafty.

our outing had lasted longer than I'd planned. And by the time I'd made it back home, my little flat was cold and drafty.

It had chased all the warmth right out of me. And after I'd closed up the windows, I'd had to layer two pairs of sweatpants on to sleep in.