Hoar Frost Delight... Rolly A. Chabot

Top of the morning to all who follow. It ss another great day unfolding. Just looking out the front window and again we have a super thick fog. It is that time of year although this year it has been one day after another. It started yesterday afternoon to form just as the day's sun was dropping below the horizon.

Fog like most things in life has its good and bad. If you are on the road and can see no further than a hundred yards you may want to wait till it lifts. Nothing is important enough to take that chance you could be in harms way. So if that is you get another coffee, put your feet up and lets spend a little time chatting about what ever comes to mind. I think it is time to set aside the politics for a spell and focus more on the positives of life...

Glad we all agree... so please settle in and lets get cozy, listen to the crackle of the fire and feel the warmth seemingly entering into those chilly places... Know that you are dearly loved.

This is what is commonly known as Hoar Frost in these parts. Moisture particles from high humidity freeze and are carried in the air. These small crystals will attach themselves to anything in their way. They just keep accumulating during the duration of the frosting. I am certainly no photographer but the above photo will give you an idea of what nature can create.

Yet another phenomena of this creation is if you take notice all the sounds around you become muffled. If you are walking through the forest or along the river banks in the ravines I walk daily you had better be wearing waterproof rain gear or you will come out soaked to the hide. A few years back I stumbled upon a Whitetail Buck, Doe and a young fawn only 20 feet ahead of me. Neither of us heard each other, yet we were all frozen in time for that few moments. The Buck reached his neck out as far as he could snuffed the air and gave a loud snort ending the meeting in a flurry of activity. I can only assume the Hoar frost must absorb a certain degree of human scent as getting that close is unheard of.

As you can tell there are days when the branches will creak with the additional weight. Keep in mind this is frozen particles of water. If you weighed a gallon of water it would tip the scales at 10 pounds. I think you get the picture and can agree there is much weight hanging on some of these tender branches.

Years ago while I was in the far north I was the Survival Training Officer for Search and Rescue. We were several miles back into the bush for the weekend. For once it was rather pleasant in comparison to some sessions which would see 30 below. This particular day the Hoar frost started by noon as we were building shelter. By 10 o clock most of the student comprised of Police, Fire and Rescue and emergency personal were already bundled up and attempting to sleep.

Within the hour branches started to snap and fall to the ground all 15 of us were huddled together under a rock wall overhang. One would have been foolish to attempt getting out of the area in the dark. The following morning two of the shelters had been crushed. One subject I taught that weekend was to be prepared for the unexpected. We did have a fire so we were fine other than a lack of sleep.

It fascinates me to see the design and creation at the end of the frost just as the sun breaks out and catches its creation with beads of crystals. They are hard to capture with a camera and yet they will hold you somewhat spell bound as you watch the frost slowly return back to moisture to return yet another day.

For those of us who experience winter we watch and are fascinated by the patterns it leaves on window panes. I laugh now but I was lured into thinking the steel pump handle at the water well in the small town I was raised. Back then running water was my middle name. The average week meant 30 pails for the bath water and another 30 for laundry. It was a hard job, even though I begrudged having to do it, I accepted it.

As a young lad I suppose I was always curious. The handle on the pump was a shiny cast iron and on it would form some of the most intricate patterns. Well curiosity won the day and I decided the pattern looked good enough to lick. You guessed it I was stuck. Do you have any idea how muffled and hard to hear my call for help sounded. My Dad came to the rescue with a hot water and he managed to peel my tongue and bottom lip loose. The whole time he was so sympathetic and yet the tears of laughter ran down his cheeks. I became the butt of many a good laugh at family gatherings.. lol... It was commonly called the Pump Handle Caper...

I often look at nature and her wonders comparing just how we are. The similarities as often or not are amazing. Look at the above photo and think of the hardship it faces going through the changes in season. Every second summer the deck, the outbuildings and fence get a make over to protect them from the elements. It is key to doing preventative maintenance around that which you are charged with looking after. Our homes are our investments and we best be willing to look after what we have been blessed with. It is far cheaper and less labour intensive to do it on a regular basis.

This post like the people who have been placed in our lives require time, love and at times simply a friend to sit and listen. I have a friend who has been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and the prognosis is not good. They have weighed all the options for treatment but this cancer is very aggressive and the treatments available have no guarantees. Rather than go through what time they have suffering from poison they have chosen to live life to the fullest while they can. That to me takes courage and something I truly respect.

What can I do to help. The answer is simple, maintain the love and support we have always had. Help where I can to make the person as comfortable as I can. I know I cannot fix it like I can my weathered deck, but I know I can make the path a little easier for them giving them the understanding I will stand with them. We are called to respect, too support and above all to love each and every relationship we have been entrusted with. I do not believe we meet people by chance, our meeting people is preordained. When you can reach out and touch another in the smallest of ways the benefits will come back to you in a powerful and profound way. Invest well my friends as is your calling and be blessed as you come to realize the reason.

This little guy was hung on the wall of the back deck, gosh that would be 7 years ago. If he has a tinge of frost on him well he is the indicator we are going to have some amazing scenery outside that day. Today will be no exception, if anything it will be spectacular.

When we take the time to look at the beauty of nature around us rather than our phone screen we will see far more than any phone can offer. I was in the city the other day, while walking down the street it was amazing the number of people looking down at their devices. There is this unnamed shuffle that takes place today. I stood back and watched. It is very comical actually as yes their are a few accidents where they run into each other or something in their way. Thanks to a quick thinking young man he grabbed the young lady at the last minute before she stepped off the curb into traffic. I smile as I can not help but wonder if it was love at first sight as they both seemed to be spellbound and nervous... Ok so I am a romantic.... Hugs and much love to all... add your comments if you like. They are always welcomed...

© Rolly A. Chabot