The final piece in my series of three snow day paintings captures the moment when the sky transformed to gold, as the setting sun reflected off distant clouds and mountains. Exhaustion weighs on everyone—shoulders slump, energy wanes. In a quietly surreal touch, I placed a cross on the far right, bearing words as a hidden message for the observant viewer.

Even the dogs are lagging behind in the bitter cold, except for one spirited soul who bounded over to investigate while I sketched and photographed the scene. We’re still nearly an hour from home, but there’s something profound in these moments of shared endurance against the elements. This painting is framed and ready for display.