It’s bitter cold out tonight – 6 °F / -14 °C at the moment – and I was just reading a World Changing article on climate change and I got to thinking about the crunch of my shoes on the snow outside. Today it was a particular loud creaking and crunching, as the snow refused to melt under the pressure of my feet and each shift in weight drew a percussive series of strain releases from the compact snow. So, how probable is it that it won’t get quite this cold here in Michigan in the near future? I don’t know the answer, but contemplating this reminded me to appreciate the unique qualities of each day. I love that crunching creak of walking in the bitter cold snow. It is a deep childhood memory for me, and as unpleasant as the cutting breeze can be, I feel grateful, awake and engaged trudging through winter here in Michigan.