I almost missed it the first time. It was an afternoon not too long after Tom’s eye surgery. I was driving, slowly, as one must when taking in the scenery at the Morton Arboretum. My giant pirate was clicking photos from the passenger window, the snow covered wonderland posing with crested limbs and scarves of white.
I stopped, then backed up, slowly.
“What is that?”
An apparition, it seemed, materializing, right then and there, in the snow and shadows, just for us.
Two months later, with several more feet of snow accumulated, we once again crept through this winter wonderland, my pirate without his patch at the helm of our polar arc, me positioned like a passenger pigeon with a camera, when I barely saw it.
“Wait, Tom. Stop! Back up, slowly, slower . . . ” and out of the car I bounded like a winter hare.
It is amazing, is it not, where one can find strength just when one needs it?
There, under the strong limbs of a mighty oak tree, my Antler Man and I found strength, hiding under a very strong and well positioned bench.
Do, please click on the photos to get a better view.
Addition to post: below is a picture of the Strength bench up close, which I hope to sit on one fine WARM day. The letters are metal, the seat I believe is oak.
How wonderful! And exactly what I need right now, at the end of a frustrating day when the computer and email went down together.
Did you sit on STRENGTH? I guess you danced around STRENGTH. Now if you’d had a box of chalks you could have drawn on STRENGTH! But I’m sure you did anyway.
I certainly have, seeing this surprise in the snow.
I like the image of you bounding like a winter hare!
LikeLike
If only a bench could solve our computer woes. I’ve had days like that, Juliet. Hope all is in working order now.
As soon as this snow melts, I aim to find the strength to walk out to the bench and have a good sit. I was more, let’s say, driven by strength, but, yes, did draw on strength as well. We winter hares do need strength to be able to bound.
Since you commented, I’ve added a close up of the bench, which Tom took. I’m sure that when I finally have a sit down, he will be calculating, up close, how to make a strong bench.
LikeLike
How nice to think of you having your very own bench!
LikeLike
For much of the length of my life, my go-to, brief prayer when frustrated or irritated, has simply been, “Lord, give me strength.” I think a bench like that in one’s yard would be an affirmation of His answer to that prayer every time you looked at it!
Possibly, the person who thought to build the bench simply had his tongue in his cheek, as I’m certain it has provided much “strength” over time; why, just the snow load alone this year….. 🙂
LikeLike
Me too, Karen. Me too.
I just added a close up of the bench, which he-who-won’t-be-named, took. I could just see the wheels turning, calculating how he, too, could construct a strong bench. Of course, I would love one to sit upon, praying for strength.
You know, Karen, a little research revealed that the bench has been there since late summer/early fall. We’d been by it many times, not noticing it until it was surrounded by snow.
LikeLike
I just love it when we receive these messages in such interesting and wholly unexpected ways. Beautiful.
LikeLike
And , I meant to add, those gorgeous trees in the top photo … a beautiful manifestation of strength.
LikeLike
It is the surprise of the unexpected, isn’t it, Teresa? I can’t help but wonder how many visitors of the Morton Arboretum have not seen this bench. It is so well situated.
Aren’t they wonderful trees? Mostly oaks in this part of the arboretum and the seat is made of oak. Thank you, Teresa. As I was writing this post, I was thinking of what wonderful poetry to you would write for it.
LikeLike
Wasn’t that exactly what you needed right then! Are you quite sure it had always been there ;>)…I want to think it materialized especially for you right then (the first time).
LikeLike
It was, Sallie. Amazing how these “things” appear for us. It was there a few months ago, as I saw it then, but, I don’t think it was there in the summer. At least I didn’t see it until the snow had arrived. It certainly made itself known for us at just the right time.
LikeLike
How beautiful! You found STRENGTH at the end of one of the longest, coldest, snowiest winter in years. Sometimes things stay hidden and are found just at the perfect time. There was STRENGTH sitting there all winter helping you through some rough times.
LikeLike
I know. Isn’t it exciting, especially with this neverending winter. There, in plain sight, but, not seen by many, I’m sure. We had just about driven by it when it occurred to me that it was the strength I saw a few months prior. I hope I can find it again when the snow melts. When I was praying and praying for strength, little did I know that I would receive it thus.
LikeLike
The more I look at this it seems that it is coming up from the earth and appeared just as you and Tom passed. I hope there will be more like this in the area such as Faith, Hope, and Peace. Please don’t forget to photograph this again in Spring and summer. So spiritual but with multiple meanings. Stay warm!
LikeLike
Its placement was the work of a genius, Marilyn. It is positioned so that the letters seem to enlarge as one passes by. As I mention above, I hope I can find it when the snow melts. Oh, how wonderful it would be to find others. I usually have my camera with, so, whatever materializes, I’m “on it”. Thank you, Marilyn.
In the twenties right now. Feels downright balmy, but, the s-word was mentioned. Hope not.
LikeLike
What a gift to you both in this never-ending winter you’re enduring, Penny. I love the idea of a bench which inspires. 🙂
PS I’ve just read a blogpost from Texas where they’ve had frozen rain and sleet and 16F temperatures recently. That’s surely very unusual for Texas in March, isn’t it?
LikeLike
A gift, indeed, Perpetua. I suspect there will be more bench inspirations as time goes by.
It is unusual for Texas. A good portion of the southern USA is experiencing cold, sleet, and snow in areas where such weather is generally unheard of. As bad as this winter has been up here, we are used to winter and have the equipment to remove snow and ice. The south is not as equipped – because they don’t need to be. I’m sure many are suffering hardship because of it.
LikeLike
And I thought it was the Loch Ness monster having strayed.
LikeLike
Friko, I can always count you in for a chuckle. Who knows? Once the snow melts, it may really be the Loch Ness monster.
LikeLike
Surely the winter must be ending soon. I do recall my 84/85 Wisconsin winter went on well into April, and then suddenly, summer happened. I do hope you dont have to wait that long, and that spring appears soon. I do love the bench though, what a wonderful idea. I am trying to catch up with what everyone has been doing while I have been away, so am enjoying wallowing in people’s posts. Jxx
LikeLike
Nice to see you again, Janice. It looks like you had a marvelous trip. Can’t wait to hear more.
Today, the temps were in the forties and it felt balmy and there are a few patches of actual dirt showing. Yea. More snow is coming, but, hope is in the air.
I think that what has been so bad this year is that there has not until now been a break between the pattern of frigid cold then snow and that it has gripped so much of North America, from the southern states up in Canada. Most of us in the midwest, eastern seaboard, north remember winters such as the one you recall in Wisconsin, but, no one remembers it so widespread. I’m old enough to remember the snow of ’67 when 23 inches fell in day and still holds the record for most snowfall and paralyzed the entire Chicago area, the Valentine’s Day blizzard, and the winters of 77/78/79, which had people hiring roofers to remove snow from their roofs so they didn’t cave in (and Mayor Bilandic was voted out of office because of the way the snow was plowed, or wasn’t), but, this one has been a long, sustained, challenge.
I’m optimistic, though, and just know that daffodils are hidden, ready to pop up, as soon as the snow cover vanishes.
Enjoy your blog wallow, Janice. One of the fun things about blogs is that they will wait for us when the time is right.
LikeLike
Last summer, I sat on that bench on a hot summer’s day and was sheltered by the leaves and branches of those mighty oaks. I journalled there and gathered strength from my surroundings. Thanks for bringing back a great memory.
LikeLike
Oh, Susan, this is so nice to read. What a wonderful spot for gathering one’s thoughts. I hope to follow in your footsteps, pen and notebook in hand, one fine sunny day, on this very same bench.
You are most welcome.
LikeLike
I may get over to the Arboretum today and if I do I will make a point to look for your STRENGTH bench!
LikeLike
Hope you made it over there today, Janet. We know what it will be like driving tomorrow. Hope you find it. Then it will be your STRENGTH bench, too.
LikeLike
I did make it over there today and enjoyed a nice walk in the mild weather. However, I also decided to have a bite to eat in the Visitor’s Center and stopped into the shop to buy a card and by that time it was too late for me to drive through the East side and look for your bench! 😦
LikeLike
It was a good day yesterday for that walk, Janet. Today is pretty, but, UGH!
LikeLike