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Writer's pictureDon Toothaker

Changing Winter

Winter is finally here. Saturday night, after a week of varying forecasts, winter, as I prefer it to be, showed up in powerful, snowy force. Yes, the calendar states that winter began on December 21st, but until Saturday, this winter had been a mixed bag of rain and weather more suited for a sweater than a coat. Until Saturday night, winter, like several recent winters, had been another dud.


Growing up in New England, winter was at least three months of consistent cold and snow. It was snowstorms and waiting anxiously to learn if school had been canceled. It was shoveling, massive snow banks, and snow plows. We went sledding for hours, built formidable snow forts, and stockpiled arsenals of snowballs. As a kid, nature provided me with countless hours of fun. But now, due to changing weather patterns on a global level, our local weather has changed. Our seasons now feature periods of unusual warming trends, extreme heat, drought, rain, snow, and wind. The consistency of each season, especially winter, has changed and, perhaps, is gone for good.


Four distinct seasons are part of the charm and appeal of living in New England, but it is a package deal. To live in New England meant you accepted the discomforts of winter along with the pleasing beauty of spring, the pleasantness of summer, and the stunning beauty of fall. Each season has a unique look and feel that every New Englander looks forward to. Including winter. For centuries the rugged weather of winter greatly contributed to our resourcefulness and our heartiness. Over time, winter became part of the character and lore of New England. But the times are changing.


Now, arguably somewhat grown up, winter is still fun to me. But it's different. My fun is different and winter is different. Today, instead of hoping for days off from school, I hope to photograph the beauty I see in the cold and snow. There is just less cold and snow. Each winter, I envision creating images of the landscape and coast magically transformed by fresh snow. Sadly, snow does not happen as often as it once did. I think of dramatic scenes and abstract compositions that inspire my creativity, but now, I often travel outside New England to find such opportunities. I miss the winters of my childhood.


Sunday morning, I woke early for coffee, and through the kitchen window, I could see winter had arrived with beautiful fury. Due to a nagging injury, I could not go out with my camera. Instead, I chose to create indoors looking outdoors. I moved from window to window composing storm scenes through my viewfinder. I felt sorry for myself stuck indoors, but I welcomed the challenge of looking at the storm differently. I felt like a kid again as I anxiously marveled at the storm through my windows. I made some images. I did what I could.


Later, as I sat down to enjoy my coffee, I realized the lesson was to make the most of what you can control and let go of what you cannot. Winter in New England is no longer what it once was, but it is still fun and even more beautiful. It all depends on how you look at it.


Photograph What You Feel


Fuji XT5

Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Lens

ISO: 125

APT: f11

EXP: 12 Seconds on a Benro Travel Angel Tripod with Acratech Ultimate Ballhead




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7 Comments


jim.coutre
Sep 28

This is the heart of you and your values. Thanks for sharing!

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Dan Huddleston
Dan Huddleston
Jan 09

I know this post is about winter, but your winter analogies sound pretty much like life in general and the lessons it offers us. If I could I will interchange Winter and Life ....


"I realized the lesson was to make the most of what you can control and let go of what you cannot. Winter/Life is no longer what it once was, but it is still fun and even more beautiful. It all depends on how you look at it. "

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Don Toothaker
Don Toothaker
Jan 09
Replying to

Dan! Happy New Year! Your own analogy is spot on. It addresses winter, and life. That is how I see it, thought about it, and wrote it. The majority of my posts are about photography but also (hopefully) make us take a look at life too. I like that you read it and thought about MORE!

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Jacqueline Phillips
Jacqueline Phillips
Jan 09

Change is inevitable and it's inspiring how you embrace it.

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Don Toothaker
Don Toothaker
Jan 09
Replying to

Yes indeed change is inevitable and much of that, the changes, is out of our control so we embrace it and live with it.... or should...

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waynejustason
Jan 09

I remember growing up that the rain/snow line was route 128. Now seems to be NH/MA border and moving north.

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Don Toothaker
Don Toothaker
Jan 09
Replying to

Right??!!!! The snow ling has changed and will keep changing. As a kid, I remember waking up regularly to a few inches of snow throughout the winter. A few minor storms. A few big storms. Now, its all or nothing. We get hammered and then nothing. Same for the other seasons...

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