"If he hadn't been so tired,
if he'd paid a bit more attention
to the snowflakes swirling out of the sky
like feathers,
he might have realizedthat he was traveling
straight into a blizzard;
he might have seen at the startthat he was setting out on a journey
that would change his life foreverand chosen to turn back."
Orhan Pamuk, "Snow"
Chapter One
"The Silence of Snow
The Journey to Kars"
*
Photographed
21 January 2010
in the 13th District
© by Merisi 2010
*
The great American writer
John Updike wrote a beautiful review
about Pamuk's "Snow" - here is the link:
ANATOLIAN ARABESQUESA
A modernist novel of contemporary Turkey
Review by John Updike in The New Yorker
Enjoy!
Oh, how pretty, but it sure looks cold! Love the photo with the shutters peeking through the tree limbs. Wonderful--and the last pops of color in the backyard setting...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as ever. Wonder as to the end of the story!
ReplyDeleteOur snow is gone, all except a little hunk that used to be a mound from when the drive was plowed. GORgeous pics and Pamuk.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just delicious out there today!
ReplyDeleteI always think snow is so beautiful, if I am safe at home, in my kitchen. It can turn so ugly if you need to be out in it. We've had many of those dangerous snow storms this winter season. Today we're having freezing rain.
ReplyDeleteA winter wonderland- snow changes everything.
ReplyDeleteIf we only knew ahead as to when we should turn back.
I like best your pictures of snow that show no human habitation: pure, beautiful, but also with an edge of mystery and even danger. Although surely the squirrels and rabbits don't see it this way--they're snug in their burrows as we are in our kitchens!
ReplyDeleteYou always have a way of mixing literature and photos in the the very best way!
ReplyDeletelovely passage from Orhan Pamuk...and lovely snow scenes from your city.
ReplyDeletewe are on a winter advisory today in virginia.
have a lovely evening.
sue,
ReplyDeletethe picture with the wooden "shutters" shows a teak Lutyens Bench: I shot it looking down into the neighbour's garden! ;-)
Barbara,
I loved Pamuk's novel (and I read it and met the author before he won the Nobel prize) - I highly recommend it.
willow,
Pamuk's would be just the book for you!
Badger,
oh yes, I felt giddy like a little child when I looked out the window this morning.
Eileen @ Passions,
I enjoy snow much more here than I ever did while I lived in Washington DC area. There was always the worry of streets not plowed, groceries procured before the storm hit because one never knew if one could get out afterwards, being without electricity for days if unlucky, and so on. Here, the snow plows and manpower to clear the sidewalks are literally standing by as the first snowflake dances out of the sky. I have the right winter gear, boots, warm duffle coat, thanks to public transportation I can go to any part of the city I wish to, can walk for hours, never to worry about getting home again.
This all makes for a much more positive attitude towards snow in the city! I enjoy it, as simple as that.
Dear Blackbird,
ReplyDeletein Vienna you'll kind people who feed you in the midst of winter! :-)
Margaret Benbow,
as easy as it is to get from my home into the woods, basically a few city blocks and then up the hill, I also enjoy the fact that our block is arranged in such a way that it leaves this large, park-like setting in the middle of the block, with the apartment houses lined up at the edge.
She Writes,
thank you! :-)
Erin,
thank you, same to you, stay safe!
You never let us down...terrific pictures that meld so beautifully with the words...How do you it I ask myself?
ReplyDeleteI agree; pictures meld perfectly with the words. Reminds me to pick up the Pamuk. And how beautiful--and cold!--can be the Vienna woods.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beautiful snow!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful winter wonderful! Stunning shots!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, beautiful snowy images and intriguing words!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful your blog. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteLuiz Ramos
Merisi: What a neat set of photos in the snow.
ReplyDeleteWonderful winterphoto´s but for myself Í have now enough of the snow ...we have a lot of snow here too.Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteSO pretty!!
ReplyDeleteLovely series of snow scenes. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteHello Merisi. Such a lovely winter skies.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend.
What beautiful, snowy skies, Merisi! And such perfect words to go with them! I hope you have a lovely weekend! Stay warm in spite of those snowy feathers!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Thnank you,
ReplyDeletethank you all for your kind comments!
See you at your place,
Merisi
Thnank you,
ReplyDeletethank you all for your kind comments!
See you at your place,
Merisi
Oh,snow! Bring it on. Beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful pictures !!! Ilike very much "The snow" of Orham Pamuk, I come back visit your blog!
ReplyDelete