It’s been a cold, damp and windy March in the northeast this year.  When it’s damp like this, it’s literally bone chilling.  Most folks want to hunker down inside and spend the night watching TV, cooking and maybe even retiring early.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles before I sleep.  Robert Frost

I take inspiration from poets who incorporate nature into their metaphors.  On a recent bitter cold March night, I fought the weather and ventured out on a late evening walk to the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir in Central Park in New York City.

I have a great winter coat that’s literally the size of the Michelin tire character.  It’s ridiculous, but perfect for this kind of adventure.  It makes you impervious to cold, with its head to toe embrace of warmth!   I’ve made it a habit to explore things on the coldest days of winter in the northeast, for just this reason.  Once, I spent an afternoon alone at The Bronx Zoo, walking through the nearly empty park.  It was fantastic.  I had a front row seat to the few animals that could wander out in the cold.  This walk the other evening reminded me of that.

There is definitely no other time of day, other than very much pre-dawn hours, that the running track at the reservoir is empty!  It’s quite a sight to see and one that I couldn’t resist venturing out to explore on my own.  Besides, who else would want to join me on a night like this one?

Standing on the abandoned runners’ track…looking west across the water, to NYC’s Dakotas towers, with the dark, dark backdrop of the sky.  What could be more beautiful?  Bundled up, heavy socks, layers of sweaters, a warm scarf, hat, gloves, wool socks and boots.  Sounds like Switzerland in the winter!  But what a great way to spend one of the coldest evenings of winter, out in the elements and treating myself to a great moment for “A Table For One”!

Copyright 2017 Marion M. O’Grady

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