The wind that we do not see is still here – we just feel the sharp cold seeping into our skin as we move down the path. It pushes us back to where we started. The wind we do not see but watch its affect as the top arch of winter trees move back and forth in the sky has not changed yet. The wind we do not see but can hear whistling through the cracks and the tiny crevices around the windows is still here.

It is February and the winter light is shifting. The days are getting longer and occasionally you can feel the warmth of sun as you walk or if you are standing by a window mid day (on the days the sun dares to show itself). Spring is coming.

But the wind is still pulling the winter cold with it as it moves west to east. We can’t see it but we feel, hear and watch it’s effect on the world around us. It is the winter trees that best show us the power of the wind.

The tall thick trunk of an elm or old winding limbs of a great oak show the mighty strength of these trees. Their roots deeply planted in the ground. They are not going anywhere we think and yet one glance up on this winters day and I have to wonder.

The wind takes the top arching branches and plays with them – moving them side to side. Each branch silhouetted against the bright winter sky. Each branch strong, and powerful in its own right yet so easily moved as the wind blows around the garden. The large branches swing in the clear blue sky.

The pine tree sits relatively still with a cap of pine cones on top while the bare hard woods bow and bop around. The wind blowing through the pines while the hard woods fight with it to show who is stronger.

It is February and winter is still here. The wind confirms it as it reddens my face, chills my fingers and plays with the branches of our trees.