Enjoyed a weekend in Ironton. Canaan and I went out to the lake on Saturday. The day was covered in heavy gray and white clouds. The trees were bare, the grass dead, the ground frozen. People were hidden in their homes and cars. It was cold, but we were layered up. Canaan convinced me to bring along his chicken nuggets in my pocket, you know, cause he was going to eat them along the way (he didn't, of course). and so we climbed the flood-wall, which helped to warm our blood. we expected to get to the top and see cold, dark waters. instead, we saw the lake at it's most beautiful. it was frozen, with a thin layer of snow covering the entire lake. we just stared. we were the only ones there. it was quiet, except that Radiohead's "In Rainbows" hasn't stopped playing in my head for weeks now - it was perfect. We went on around the lake until we found a spot to wipe off the snow, so we could watch for fish, and so we could stand on the ice.

it was a great unexpected experience - and the quiet of winter in the woods is something to be shared with children.