Catherine Nicolai

Now it had a rich honey yellow color, and it felt like pure energy pouring into my system.

Now it had a rich honey yellow color, and it felt like pure energy pouring into my system.

Now it had a rich honey yellow color, and it felt like pure energy pouring into my system.

I closed my eyes and let it bathe my face. Gosh, I'd forgotten how good this feels. I started down the porch steps and noticed the icicles dripping from the eaves. I realized, in fact, that there were lots of sounds to tune into this morning.

I closed my eyes and let it bathe my face. Gosh, I'd forgotten how good this feels. I started down the porch steps and noticed the icicles dripping from the eaves. I realized, in fact, that there were lots of sounds to tune into this morning.

I closed my eyes and let it bathe my face. Gosh, I'd forgotten how good this feels. I started down the porch steps and noticed the icicles dripping from the eaves. I realized, in fact, that there were lots of sounds to tune into this morning.

Squirrels and some of the hardier birds who stayed through the winter, moving along tree branches, where snow was quickly disappearing.

Squirrels and some of the hardier birds who stayed through the winter, moving along tree branches, where snow was quickly disappearing.

Squirrels and some of the hardier birds who stayed through the winter, moving along tree branches, where snow was quickly disappearing.

I heard dogs barking in the distance, garage doors going up. Cars on the next street over. Activity. It was inspiring.

I heard dogs barking in the distance, garage doors going up. Cars on the next street over. Activity. It was inspiring.

I heard dogs barking in the distance, garage doors going up. Cars on the next street over. Activity. It was inspiring.

I loved this stretch of time when winter slowed us to a stop.

I loved this stretch of time when winter slowed us to a stop.

I loved this stretch of time when winter slowed us to a stop.

When everything was paused and I'd been able to retreat into my cozy house. Stay in my favorite jammies all day. Watch movies and make soup. But now it felt like a nice change of pace to do something else. And the day seemed to be encouraging just that.

When everything was paused and I'd been able to retreat into my cozy house. Stay in my favorite jammies all day. Watch movies and make soup. But now it felt like a nice change of pace to do something else. And the day seemed to be encouraging just that.

When everything was paused and I'd been able to retreat into my cozy house. Stay in my favorite jammies all day. Watch movies and make soup. But now it felt like a nice change of pace to do something else. And the day seemed to be encouraging just that.

At the bottom of the steps, I reached down for the newspaper, thankfully well-wrapped and protected from all this melting snow.

At the bottom of the steps, I reached down for the newspaper, thankfully well-wrapped and protected from all this melting snow.