Grey Shades of Winter

No, this picture isn't black & white nor does it have sepia effect. It is a usual colored (if I can colored in this case) picture.

This park is nice in summer and very beautiful in fall but unfortunately it does  not have the best view in winter. Dirty snow on the sidewalks start appearing. Dirty because they use salt and sand together to spread on the roads and pathwalks.

But as they say, "we see what we want to see". The grey sky and gloomy view didn't  spoil my day. I found some funny things in the park.

A smilry on the tree, a snowman whose maker couldn't decide where to put the eyes and nose snd these funny hands which were burried in the snow. They're  more noticeable in winter. I tried making picture of them last summer but it didn't  look interesting. 

I  also saw "salo" hanged for the birds. They also need fat and protien especially at this time.

If birds are fed, people have to be too. If you get cold but don't  want to leave the park yet, you can grab a hot drink from this mobile coffee. 

It's a great idea I think. If there is no vendo machine, you have this. I've seen few of them in different areas. One close to tge university, here in the park and outside the metro station. They're owned by young smalltime businessmen or students. It's a good start and a good way to earn money. 

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Scenic Weekends

Spring is Coming to Town

It's definitely thawing in our city. Icicles start melting and dripping. Sooner or later, they're  gonna fall in somebody's head so they better be removed before it happens.

Roofs have to be de-snowed too, or else, there'll be waterfalls everywhere.

Very soon there'll be puddles on the street, dirty snow and "small springs". 

The sun feels different now. It's warm. It's a "real" sun!!! not a visual illusion :)

Smells are more intensive, perfumes, food, coffee etc. I can notice them more now. The deafening silence of winter has come to an end. I already hear few birds chirping. People are more active, there is such radiance in ther faces.

The hibernating bear has awaken.

This post is linked with Scenic Weekends

HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYONE!

Frosty Morning

Look what we've got - INYEI. Frost in other words. We're having few signs of spring lately. The temperature fluctuates crazily like a plane having difficulty landing. It's always like that when the season's about to change. The same thing happens before fall.

After frigid freezing cold days, the temperature suddenly rose to only -5 to -8. The ice and snow then slowly melted last weekend. That's  the time when snow becomes a "porridge", that's  how people call it here. It's the time when I can hardly walk straight for the snow is that thick and there's ice under. I describe it as someone's  dragging my feet back. It's easy in the downtown because pavements are always cleared from snow and ice. But there are some areas where nobody really cares to clean. For example near some shops but the area is no longer within the territory of the shop. The area between the residence and the main roads. It's  funny to notice how they limit their work strictly within their "jurisdiction". So if you happen to pass through these gaps, then you'll happily walk like you're crushing grapes for wine. It's a good legs exercise :).

After thawing a bit, temperature dropped to -18 again which resulted to this beautiful wonderland. I love it when it happens. Everybody's feeling good. People are pleasant and kinder :) Who doesn't  feel good waking up to magical morning, right?

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Our World Tuesday

Stop the Cold

STOP right there! Please don't  go any lower and we'll be just fine :)

That's my palm on the window. The yellow stain is from the street lamp...in case you're  wondering.

Sweeping Cold

Maybe in other parts of the world have already seen signs of spring. 

We are still definitely far from thawing. After a cold week of temperature not higher than -20 degrees celcius, we were recently swept with a strong blizzard sweeping snow into the air leaving parks with thick snow looking like a whipped cream or blown up powder.

Kremlovskaya street during the blizzard.

It was later then followed with ice rain that left icicles hanging on leaves.

  

It was a beautiful weather eventhough it was difficult. Maybe it is changing slowly by now. Maybe, but I 'm just fine even if it stays a bit more. 

I have a feeling that I 've learned to like the cold, or maybe I just just haven't  had enough of it this year. Also, it maybe that I know that the whole February is still winter so I  don't  expect it to thaw. 

I remember last year how I was begging for warmth and sun in March. I thought I couldn't  live longer in that cold but hey I survived it. I remember after my first winter, I  almost cried on the first day I felt the warmth of the sun on my head, on my face. I still remember the moment very well. I felt I went to a different world without a sun, without colors but white. I mean you could see it on the sky but you never felt it. I even had a feeling that people were just physically walking, talking, working but it all seemed to me that they weren't  totally there. Maybe they were hibernating on the inside and were just mechanically functioning. Everybody was quietly busy doing their things.

This is my 4th winter. First one was exciting and worrying. I was very worried that I'd get frozen like ice outside :) well, I was very naive of cold then. Second was enjoyable. That time I already learned to like it. Third time was full of complains. I think excitement faded. This year, I think, I naturally have accepted it as part of life. One thing I  have noticed, I haven't  complained (yet maybe) :)

Honestly speaking, if one day I have to leave Russia, I'll miss winter for sure.

To see what's  up in the other parts of the world, please click the links below.

Our World Tuesday

WATW

City Scenes

I wish I  could post scenery from the wild nature. But unfortunately, I do not usually take much trips to the countrysides in winter. Apart from the fact that it is very dangerous on the roads, it is also very cold. So I  prefer to snuggle in the convenience of the city. If I  want to inhale cold air, I can always go to the parks or the beach.

Here is a photo of the frozen river Kazanka.

Some could be spotted ski walking on it. 

On the other side of the city where this rives spans, a lot of ice fishing is happening. I still didn't  catch them while I  have the camera.

The beach which is usually crowded in summer is left on its own at this time of the year. It was difficult to walk as the snow was above my knees.

Our days continue to be frozen. 

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Scenic Weekends

Frost Painting

The best art is found in nature. What do you think?

It started getting colder and colder and yesterday our windows at work are already frozen.

It's beautiful. It's one thing I always look forward to seeing in winter.

The temperature keeps on dropping and I guess we'll see much of this all around very soon.