Many decisions are made on snowy walks. A past Canadian prime Minister famously made his decision not to run in the next election during a walk in the snow. I love that deep curve.

Kathryn: Perhaps, Mary, a few US politicians should have followed his lead. Too bad there is not more snow in Washington, DC

I love the curve too. Looks like he has come a long way to get to the point of having to make a decision,

Great tone. Really makes you feel!!

Kathryn: Thanks, Helen. I am wondering what it makes you feel? Cold?

This is one of my favorite images of yours yet, Kathryn. I'm not sure I can put my finger on it but it's a feeling...that I've been there before in the snow at this time of the day, alone with my thoughts. It also feels like Germany...on one of my walks in Hannover.

Kathryn: This was such an odd day, Ginnie. In a matter of an hour, the weather was sunny and beautiful (I may post an image of 5 minutes before, looking in the opposite direction on the path tomorrow), and then without warning a hail storm, followed by this snow, followed by beautiful blue and sunny skies. I've been there too, alone with my thoughts and looking for a a clear and straight path, but unable to find it. I think we all have been. Nice to know you resonate.

This is a very powerful image. We all can relate to it in different ways. Very effective.

Kathryn: Thanks much, M'roy. We've all been there and some more than others

There's a timeless atmosphere in your picture Kathryn ! A gravity too.

Kathryn: Florence, perhaps a reflection of man's timeless stuggle?

Walking in snow and through snow when it's our personal choice creates powerful positive feelings. Not so much fun in wet, slippery grey slush. This image gives a good feel factor.richard

Kathryn: Thanks, Richard.

Kathryn I like photo in colour But this is great make me feel cold and full of indecision

Kathryn: Nice to know you like it. Put on a heavy coat as you wrestle with your indecision! I wonder what you are indecisive about?

Grausames Wetter, meisterlich gefasst!

Kathryn: Das Wetter änderte sehr schnell dieses Tag---Sonne, Hagel, Schnee, Sonne!

I also find this a powerful image- it speaks of lonliness and man against the elements. The tiny figure of the man on the sweeping curve of the road is a wonderful touch.
Ingrid

Kathryn: Thanks so much, Anniedog. I agree with your lonliness and man against nature and might even add man against himself.

Very nice capture Kathryn. One can really have the indecision feeling here. Well done

Kathryn: Thanks much, Richard.

I can feel the cold, Kathryn. Good curve to the road adds interest. I like this very much.

Kathryn: Nice to know, Chad, that curves in the road keep it interesting.

The mood has a very German feel to it - but don't ask me to explain because I cannot place the reference. There is a very strong narrative to the image so I suspect it is cinema rather than photography.

Kathryn: Mike..."cinema rather than photograph"..I'm not sure what you mean. Will come back to my blog and post a followup to explain for all of us?

This is a lovely atmospheric winter shot Kathryn

Kathryn: Thanks. Chris. Nice to know you like the atmosphere.

I like this photo: the curved way, the falling snow, so that we see all 'things' around us like behind a gauze curtain, especially the quiet, silent atmosphere, "leise rieselt der Schnee", the right situation in order to come to ourselves, to recreate, to deliberate, to make decisions, but your inspiring title says how difficult this often may be, but don't melt snow and ice rather quickly?

Kathryn: Phillip, nice to know you like the photograph. Yes a clouded curtain for sure and a very quite ripple made by the snow. You've read the image the same as I do, a coming to a decision point with the self.

Snow and ice melt quickly in warmer areas, but in very cold and isolated areas, the freeze may last for a very long time.

lovely work kathryn

looks good enough to be a paperback for a bestseller

Kathryn: Oh wow Doc. I am flattered. Thanks.

Another excellent and atmospheric photograph Kathryn.

Kathryn: Thanks, Steve. Nice to know you like it...

That is why they are prime ministers If I would be walking like that in the snow I would be thinking, yes. Thinking where is the nearest place selling gluhwein.

Excellent picture for all the reasons already mentioned.

Kathryn: Louis, I actually had to laugh at your comment because as I was out on that walk in that lonely little place, a horde of about 30 people marched by me like a little army. We asked what they were doing and they told us they were on a "Grünkohl" hike (walking until they came to a place to eat Grünkohl). I thought, all things considered, I would not hike through a snowstorm for a bowl of Grünkohl, but perhaps for a couple of glasses of gluhwein, I'd be more motivated

Love the wintery atmosphere Kathryn. I have trudged my way home in snow storms before now and I love it.

Kathryn: Thanks, Tracy. My little walk in the snow that day almost resulted in my fingers freezing off. While this is my second winter here in Germany and I spent 4 years in the northern part of the USA, I am a southern girl at heart and trudging through snow is nice, for the first 2 minutes, and then I start my "I am cold. I am not made for this weather. I am a southern girl." chant!

Picture proof that snow flakes fall more slowly than rain drops. To me, this looks like an utterly alien landscape, Kathryn, and it is a feast for my eyes.

Kathryn: Ray, I'll gladly trade weather with you, if only for a day or two. These were those big fat fluffy snowflakes that drift so slowly to the ground. It always makes me feel as if I am in a snowglobe when I see those types of flakes.

Yes, the last sentence of your comment is right, sorry, my perspective was too Germany-centred, oh, how we are longing for snow lasting for some days!
Kathryn, the first frozen "Grünkohl" with "Mettendchen" is such a "delicatesse"! You should taste it! Philine (please, not Phillip, although it is a similar Greek word, but I'm a woman ;-))

Kathryn: Oh my, I knew it was you, but was typing without my glasses on. Forgive me, Philine?

Is Mettendchen the same as Bregenwurst? I have tasted Grünkohl and like it very much, but not enough to hike through snow for it. I do love many of the very traditional German dishes and love that they are made with the season--something that does not usually happen in the USA. I can't wait for Spargel season again!

perfect sepia tone

Kathryn: Thanks, I can sepia tone with the best of them.

Kathryn haven't we all walked this path, all alone with our thoughts, this is one of my favourites, the lone figure could have turned right but did turn left, one of my dear friends is going through a rough period of life, my thoughts are with her when I am in the polder, last saterday we had snow, I took a hike, I loved it, but I felt like this lonely figure, thinking about her.

Kathryn: Astrid, thanks for sharing your feelings about this photograph and how it relates to you personally.Yes I think we have all been there. Sounds like last Saturday you were the lone person alone with your thoughts just like the person in this photograph.

Ref comment above - just saying that the tropes of the image recalls a mood that I for some reason associate with Germany. It may be days like these that I have spent in Horhgrenzhausen or it may be a film I have seen. The feeling was associated with narrative though rather than a still photograph. does that help ?

Kathryn: Ah, I get it now, Mike. Thanks so much.

Another excellent shot, well composed and thought provoking.

Kathryn: Thanks, Nig. How is Austria? You should get some great photographs there!

Excellent composition and capture of the atmosphere.

Kathryn: Thanks, Martin. Does it make you miss Germany?

Wonderful mood.

(I should add that I've been enjoying all your photos, though I rarely comment. Seems like a chore to answer all these comments every day!)

I should also add that I am learning a lot about the value of understatement in photography from visiting your blog. My eye is usually for the dramatic, which can be a good thing, but oftentimes I end up with only a half-dozen serviceable photos ourt of a batch of ~100, and they are the almost accidental shots.

Kathryn: Thanks so much for both of your comments, Dave. Nice to know you are enjoying what you see. Comment when you are so motivated and if not, that is okay too. I look and often don't comment either.

As far as the understatement, there are times when I think I am beating people over the head with my emotionalism and moodiness. I like a good dramatic shot too, but there are only so many of them, right?

One of the joys of digital for me is being able to really photographically explore a concept from many stances. But I also know that taking 100 of the same thing looking for the best shot, I am not doing that so much any more though. If I don't get it with a couple of shots, so be it. I put aside the camera and capture it in my mind.

"...but I have promises to to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

Kathryn: Dave! I thought of the very line as I was looking at this image!

I think this is superb Kathryn. Bleak solitude with the walker probably wishing he was by a warm fire with a nice hot drink. The curving road takes you to meet him and then beyond to where he has come from. This has got to go in my likeys

Kathryn: Oh thanks, Bill. That little curve happened to be in the right place at the right time.

I know I was wishing I was home near a warm fire with a hot drink--just a quick enough storm to keep it interesting and provide some atmospheric photographs.

superb Kathryn, now what was that i was saying not long back about the elements and the worse they are the more powerful the image and well done Kathryn for braving the cold to bring us this delight

Kathryn: Tim, seems we like those extremes. doesn't it?

I'm cold just looking at it ... Well done ...

Kathryn: Lite a fire, Ann. We can't have you frozen!

Wow Kathryn! Very cool... no wait... very cold! H.

Kathryn: I am shivering at your cool comment!

Nice moody image Kathryn.

Kathryn: Bernie, that is because I am nice and moody

…it snows here
it snows there
it snows seems like everywhere
it snows deep inside my head
my frozen thoughts can’t move ahead

the only way to thaw my thoughts
is reading poems on the phone
to those who likes to listen them…

Kathryn: A storm with ..
skies so dark my vision is completely obscured,
snow and hail so cold my every thought is frozen,
winds so powerful all my memories are swept away,
…seems the only way to salvage myself…

or a whispering voice in a
language I don’t understand
assuring me through the words of a poet
“that the slow planet underneath
Our feet shall never slip away while turning.”

I wouldn't fancy being there. Great composition BTW. Love the landscape..the dim lights and solitary figure. Perfect shot.

Kathryn: Thanks much. Richa.

This reminds me of the Pacific Northwest, Kathryn! It's been snowing a lot in the area.

Love the mood this picture evokes.

Wonderful capture Kathryn. I feel cold just looking at it but I would love to be there.

Very nice, old and timeless feel. I really like the feel of your last few shots.

that looks some cold!

Nice winter capture!

Great one with an old postcard atmosphere : Bravo !