Snow Falling on Cedar

I’ve tried to describe Eugene, this small part of the Pacific Northwest, to my Midwest friends as snow falling on cedar. This term evokes one) the title of fiction, Snow Falling on Cedars is a 1994 novel by David Guterson, a film was also made based on the book, very atmospheric, which led to my use of the term, two) a sense of hush.

Yes, there is a lot of rain, fog, and tall, tall pines or evergreens, likely cedar. But it is this hush, that surrounds me. Even in traffic, there is a quiet that settles on me as I ride to the bike shop. Then, this week I discovered snow falling on cedars. Not literally as we’ve had a spat of dry, warmer weather (before the damp cold returned). It is the snow-white blossoms appearing on the trees. In yards, down by amazon Creek, as I climb into the southern hills. In the cool morning hush what I first encountered as snow, was in fact flowering.

All around me settles this feeling=ancient, enduring. Peace.

 

In a few weeks a gentle breeze will scatter the petals over the roadway, melting beneath my bike tires.