Sunshine on Birch

The sun shone today giving us a clear view of Woodcock Mountain and its heavy covering of snow. I could see across the meadow to the thick grove of birch trees, beautiful in their winter bareness. Paper birch is an important winter food for many forest animals including deer, moose, snowshoe hare, porcupine and beaver. It also makes excellent firewood – to which we can heartily attest. Many First Nations people in British Columbia used birch bark for baskets and canoes. They drank the sap as a medicine for colds. For all its usefulness, the beauty of a birch grove on a sunny winter day, and the pleasure that it brings to me is enough.

It is 5 p.m. and dark outside. Bob just brought in more firewood for the stove. The temperature has already dropped to –10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). Looks like it will be another cold night.

... P. L. Morningstar
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