It's interesting how one tends not to appreciate things such as a working furnace (or running water, working plumbing, electricity, etc) until it ceases to function. My, my, it's cold.

When there is a threat of a hard freeze and the trees are about to bloom, sometimes the orchardist sprays them with water so that the entire tree is covered in ice. When water freezes, it generates heat and that heat is enough to keep those buds protected.

Sometimes I feel that way, like my heart is covered in ice and bristling with icicles. But underneath that hard, cold shell.....I am so vulnerable, and my small and tender leaves wrap protectively around the thought of you.