In winter, everything will be collected in the end. After the field work, the crops are harvested and dried, and "grain goes into the warehouse and vegetables go into the cellar", and everything is hidden in the north wind.
The cold pond is bleak, and the withered lotus is sparse, which restrains the brightness of "Lotus reflects the different colors of the sun" and the relaxation of "Lotus leaves are sweet". At this time, only a dead leaf is left, and the cold wind is swaying gently. Dead leaves rustle, telling the charm of summer. If there is cold rain, it is also Li Yishan's mood of "leaving the residual lotus to listen to the rain". Lotus, which has been hit by wind and rain, has withered and withered, but it still stands. It clings to the stubborn character of life with an iron clank, and breeds a burning and brilliant atmosphere.
The towering trees in the distant mountains shake off the prosperity of the trees, leaving only the branches criss-crossing in the light and shadow, pointing their thin and cold branches to the sky, taking the wind as a pen, and leaving the simplicity on the vast earth behind. A closer look shows that some buds smaller than rice grains have oozed from the branches, wrapped in black leaf sheaths, peeping out a little light green or delicate red, which is full of vitality deeply and shallowly.
The forest is lonely, and there are no birds and flowers on the bare branches. Animals huddle together, hide and hide, and walk carefully in the soil that gradually becomes frozen soil. Without their jumping, running and cheering, everything is calm again. Just like a frozen river in winter, it presents itself as another kind of life, closed, silent and deposited on the earth.
In winter in rural areas, the earth quickly harvested residual leaves and the atmosphere was clear. At sunrise and sunset, the villagers packed up their farm tools and hid in the house to light the blazing flame in the stove. They were still steaming when they were frozen, and the burning flames in the stove reflected the copper plate, carving the joy of harvest on it.
"Pickled vegetables in light snow, pickled meat in heavy snow" and "Before the Chinese New Year, fatten the eaves first". At this time, many villagers hang bacon, preserved fish, sausages and so on. On the doorways and windowsills, the harvest year of every household is displayed. Grandma's bacon can be counted ten miles away in Fiona Fang. Before and after the heavy snow, grandma will choose the best pork belly, wash it, dry it with salt, and then soak it in marinades such as white wine, cinnamon, star anise and fragrant leaves. The amount of marinade is not large. Grandma will rub it evenly by hand and put it in a sealed jar for a few days, then take it out and hang it to dry. Then, she will put her tin pot with smoked wax vegetables in an open place, light cypress branches and pine cones, and sprinkle with chaff, peanut shells and oranges. A few hours later, the transparent, bright, yellow and red bacon was baked, which not only had a unique flavor, but also had a long lasting appeal, with the smell of fireworks, which warmed the whole winter and was deeply hidden in the memory.
In winter in the south, it is rare to see a few snows a year. Xue Rui heralds a good year. In a few days, the snow should come as promised. At that time, heavy snow fell, quietly covering the whole earth, distant mountains and trees, small bridges and running water, streets and fields, and villages. A world of pink jade is in front of us, and the breath of spring is hidden in the white clothes. In the snowfield, there are deep red and light red camellia buds, yellow and fragrant Chimonanthus praecox petals. Bend down and scoop up a handful of snow, and you will find the green grass in the snow, the weak stems and leaves struggling upward, the shallow roots riveted down deeply, drawing supplies, accumulating strength, waiting for the opportunity and expecting the whistle of spring.
(Author: Xu Xinyu People Weekly, No.23, 2020)