Warm and Cold at the Very Same Time

                   

 

We had a birthday party for Anna yesterday, February 7th, outside on the ice,  near a big rocky wall and a limestone sea cave.  The cave was part of the Champlain Sea, a sea that once covered this part of Vermont over 10,000 years ago.  The snow was deep on the ice - perhaps about 7 inches deep.   We shoveled off a section to create a nice little ice rink and we built a fire nearby.   The bonfire was big enough for us to roast hot dogs and marshmallows on.  The chocolate and lemon cupcakes we brought were nearly frozen by the time we ate them, but there was something strangely enjoyable about eating a cold cupcake out of doors, in the twilight, with a group of friends.   Anna turned 47 this year and she's had one hell of a year.   I so wanted her to have an extra special birthday.  Her dream come true party is always something in the winter snow.  She grew up having outside birthday parties - either at her home or at her camp in the Adirondacks.   So, to honor her memory and desire for something outside,  we planned this surprise for her.   Though, by mid week I was questioning my ambition.   By Friday I changed the location to make it closer to home...which made a world of difference.   So, in spite of the cold and snow,  lots of friends came.  The  kids had fun in the sea cave, climbing logs, skating, examining a dead frozen bat, sliding down rock hills and then eating hot dogs and cupcakes.    The grown ups had fun hanging out, drinking wine, brandy and hot cider.  Sparklers were sizzling as we sang to her.  I think we made Anna very happy.  We also learned that there is something absolutely thrilling and heart warming about gathering at dusk, in the cold winter, on the ice,  with a wonderful and loving group of friends.