1) DATE-TIME-LOCATION: Around 3:45am, Friday morning, walking across Memorial Quad
2) OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION: It is as black as it can be on the quad. Looking at the ground as I walk along the sidewalk, I suddenly notice that it has lightly frosted and the light from the lamps is hitting the sidewalk at the perfect angle to make it seem to sparkle.
3) SUBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION: As soon as I noticed the sparkle, I had to smile. I was getting the best of both worlds in that moment. I don’t mind the cold very much, but I am not a fan of winter and all of its implications. Still, one of my favorite sights to see at home is the moonlight or the soft light coming from the barn lighting up a still pristine snowfall on the lawn. Even better is seeing that same sparkle across acres of unadulterated snow. It may have been the hour, but seeing the ground sparkle made me a little giddy. Although the light may reflect off of water, there is nothing that I have seen that compares to the glittering of ice crystals on the ground, and I love that something so lively and almost mysterious can occur in nature. Part of me can’t help but feel like it has a little bit of magic; it makes me think of The Nutcracker, Fantasia, and faeries sprinkling lovely, magical dust. Best of all, that lively glitter and the brisk air that goes along with it has the ability to calm and center me.