The 6-8 inches we received Saturday is the most we have gotten in the last decade as far as I remember. I saw pictures of my friends from Buffalo NY, out playing in this on Saturday; making green snow turtles. The children received three snow days or perhaps they were ice days. The city was careful about running the morning buses in the morning refrozen melt.
We don't handle snow events well here. Because of the large military presence we have drivers from all over the country, from Florida to Alaska. The southern drivers are usually too careful and slow traffic down, while northern drivers say this nothing; showing off their skills and recklessness.It makes for a poor mix on the roads.
I have a love/hate relationship with snow. I remember being about 12, walking home from the library in Avon Lake. I had about 10 books in my rucksack heavy but not too bad. I was well dressed for the weather; good boots, a warm coat, a scarf and knit cap. A storm kicked up about halfway home. Every step became an adventure. The got slicker the drifts got higher, I became more and more tired. At one point stepping through a pile of plowed snow about 4 ft high, I slipped down into the freezing slush on the street. Like a turtle tried to flipped myself over. Didn't work So there on my back, staring at the falling whiteness thinking that I wasn't going to make it. The fear and adrenalin kicked in, I rolled onto my hands and knees then up to my feet then gathered my books. I cut through the Dixon's yard which put me less than a block away, Then slipped through the Dewey's yard into my back yard. Home again, home again jiggity jig.Here in Norfolk it seldom snows.Just enough to teach my kids how to build a snow man and have a good snowball fight. Just enough falls to enjoy the pristine whiteness for a day or two before it's gone. I like this kind kind of snow in my OV neighborhood.
That year we moved to Salt Lake City, I'd been told often that it would snow in the winter. I had never seen it before, not even a day trip to Big Bear. I remember my father coming into the bedroom Gary and I shared. It was dark - predawn. "Shhh, Baby, let's not disturb your mother." He carried me to the back door where we peered out into the dark. It was coming down in huge, feathery flakes and I was enchanted.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to Las Vegas, Nevada, 1977. A heavy enough snow to sit on the ground a full two weeks and make the roads pretty nasty. This 25-year-old had never driven in it. Hitting my brakes a little too hard, I went into a spin, turning 360s until I landed in a vacant lot. No harm to me or the car. My reaction was to turn around and go home, where I sat on the sofa trembling for hours.
Love/hate relationship with snow, indeed.
The best part of snow in my experience is watching it fall and watching it melt away. The middle part I can do without.
ReplyDeleteWell, I sure as shootin' don't want to drive in it!
ReplyDeleteIf you can find a great big empty lot to spin donuts. It's kind of fun like the annual tough Guy competition. Also downhill on a sled,toboggan, inner tube or surfboard.
ReplyDeleteFor me snow is something I have to yet see and experience. But I used to go through rough winters back home, where the wind was so freezing that it use to blow away all my happiness.
ReplyDelete"Every winter,
When the great sun has turned his face away,
The earth goes down into a vale of grief,
And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables,
Leaving her wedding-garlands to decay -
Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses"
~Charles Kingsley
loveNlight
Gabi
A freezing wind has that effect, stripping layers one by one until nothing is left but the chill.
ReplyDeleteFaith, that the sun will shine again in time.
Thanks for stopping in Gabi.