Quote of the day: “With luck, it might even snow for us.”
― Haruki Murakami, After Dark

Wood Ducks on Lake Sylvia – Koinonia Retreat Center – Last year at this time

Vive la différence

I’m headed out to the Koinonia Retreat Center today for the AUW (Association of Universalist Women) spring retreat. The photos in today’s post are from last year’s retreat. I am looking forward to spending the weekend with 80+ AUW women from our church.

This is the 14th annual retreat and my second time attending.

Spring was springing last year at this time in Minnesota. This year, it’s going to be a bit longer before we see trees and plants springing to life.

Today it’s still snowing from an April snowstorm that has blanketed the region with snow and ice. In western Minnesota where there was significant freezing rain before the snow, the city of Worthington is a disaster area with trees and electrical poles down from the weight of the ice and snow.

Pond Today

Pond Two Days Ago

Where I live we were fortunate to miss the freezing rain and get most of the precipitation as snow. Yesterday we even had thunder snow. It was quite amazing to hear the thunder boom and see the flakes fall so fast.

And yes, even though I wouldn’t mind seeing some green things growing outside, the fresh new snow covering everything is beautiful.

Backyard View This Morning

I am looking forward to photographing a different kind of spring retreat this year. And I’m excited to be teaching a workshop called Photography as a Spiritual Discipline at the retreat.  I love sharing with others how photography can help you see the wonder, beauty, and miracles of the world.

Green Grass and Blue Sky at the Retreat 2012

Tree Swallow at 2012 Retreat