Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

I think so, because I’m nearing fifty and for the first time in my adult life, I’m really appreciating winter and enjoying it. I grew up in Wisconsin and loved the snow as a kid. But by the time I became a young adult, something had changed in me, and though the charm of a pre-Christmas snowfall could still reliably work its magic, when the holidays had passed, I was generally a grump about the cold weather.

Years ago, I began curating annual shows of winter picture photography, and that started turning things around for me. I’ve been doing this for more than a decade, and I can feel myself entering a new phase in my relationship with winter. A few weeks ago, we were watching Northern Exposure (my favorite show), and the episode closed with an absolutely delightful sequence celebrating the coming of winter and the first snowfall in Cicely. Something clicked for me that night. I realized then that the winter season is uniquely special, and I should embrace it more than I have.

@drgstacksCicely celebrates the first snow fall and the beginning of winter, and Chris reads a poem by John Whittaker Watson. Northern Exposure. Season 5, episode 10. 1993. . #northernexposure #northernexposuretvshow #bonhiver #boniver #justinvernon #90sthrowback #90stvshows #retrotv #firstsnow #robmorrow #johncorbett #chrisinthemorning #barrycorbin #janineturner #johncullum #darreneburrows #cynthiageary #johnwhittakerwatson

In the world of Northern Exposure, the characters greet each other joyfully with calls of Bon Hiver!, which loosely translates to “Good Winter.” I love that and have been thinking we should normalize saying Bon Hiver this time of year. It feels good to think about celebrating — instead of cursing — the winter season. I’ve been trying it out lately, and it seems to be working. I started my Sunday with a brisk morning winter walk, bundled up in long johns and wool socks, and though the temperature was below zero, I was happy. I know, it’s crazy.

In the spirit of the season, I asked my photography friends to send me their winter pictures, and I have been delighted by some of the images that have come across the transom in recent weeks. I wanted to show you a few of my recent favorites and hope you’ll send me yours in return. I’ll show more soon.

If you are making winter pictures, I would love to see them. Email is always the best way to reach me: you can write me anytime at flakphoto@gmail.com. That said, I hope you’ll cozy up, enjoy some of these gems, and have a lovely Sunday. It’s cold and sunny here in Madison, and it is glorious. Stay warm, friends, and Bon Hiver! ❄️

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One more thing…

The other day, I found myself questioning why I do what I do with photography. What’s the point? Who cares? Why bother? I know many of you can relate. Is it the creative’s dilemma to struggle with junk like this? Then, like clockwork, a package from photographer Jillian Guyette arrived, and her generous note made it all make sense: we create art/work because it feels good. It’s fun. And if we’re lucky, it resonates with other people. Plain and simple. Thanks for the reminder, Jillian, I needed it!

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