I love snow. I have loved snow since birth. I think.
I have a friend that thinks that people that live in northern climates brainwash themselves into liking snow as a coping mechanism. She thinks that they cannot possibly like snow.
Well, this brainwashed snow-lover is in denial of the brainwashing.
My mother, who lives about half an hour south of the Canadian border, sent me pictures this morning of her snow covered...snow buried yard. And I was jealous. The only snow we have gotten so far this winter was in early December. Maybe it was two inches. Maybe it lasted two hours before melting. And that has been it. I have tried to accept that all Christmases do not need to be white to be festive. I have tried to embrace winters without snow. But it's been a struggle.
Well, today, as Andrew and I were returning from playgroup, it started snowing. I didn't think much of it. But. It started to stick. We are still under an inch, but there is a pretty dusting. There are footprints. And there has been hot chocolate in my mug to celebrate.
Andrew and I are about to head out. To mail his cousin's late birthday present. To see the snow and try adding 'snow' to his vocabulary.
Though he keeps insisting it is rain.
I can understand that. I agree with him.
It is too good to be true.
7 comments:
Isn't it sad that it will all melt away tomorrow? I'm not a huge fan of snow, but it's nice to have a bit of a stretch in the winter! Plus, I have my warm boots and happy jacket and I'm all ready to play.
I think you should explain solid, liquid, and gas forms of water to Andrew. Maybe that will help with the whole "snow" issue. ;)
So glad you are on my side, Loba. Take that, Firefly. ;)
You are right. Andrew has shown clear interest in Science (at least with principles of displacement). He might really get into states of matter!
I just want to point out that a mug of hot chocolate is not really a celebration of snow. Hot chocolate is an (understandable) attempt to recreate the conditions of summer (i.e. hot). I imagine you were sipping yours in your apartment, where you could "experience" snow through the window from the temperate climate of the indoors. A bit like watching a snow show from an artificially rendered summer.
I've already told you that new snow is pretty and so I'm totally on board with admiring photographs of snow. I like photographs of snow, too. And I also regret the disappearance within 24 hours of a barely-there-white-and-pretty-dusting of fresh, clean snow. It's easy to regret something that is hassle-free, urine-free, trash-free, ice-free, shovel-free . . . really, what's to complain about? It hardly counts as snow at all.
If this is what it means to "love snow," I'm in like Flynn.
Do you think Chris Belmonte likes snow during the months when he is up at 3am shoveling his car out to go to work in the morning? You never know with Chris. He is such a wild card, he might actually like it.
I take it back. Not everybody who likes living in snow is brainwashed, I guess. Some are just naturally crazy.
Speaking of snow, which is now pouring down on us and has been pouring all night, adding 10 inches of fresh snow to the considerable amount we have, this may be enough! For some inexplicable reason we park my car which I do not use in the snow, in the garage and leave the 4WD truck outside which insures at least 20-30 minutes of uncovering it so I can use it. It is beautiful, I just wish I did not have to go out in it other than walking the dog!
Firefly,
I agree that part of the appeal of snow for me is the contrast it can create. Cold outside, hot chocolate and blankets and books inside.
I wonder if you would enjoy snow more if you lived in a more weather friendly place during your snow years. I don't think that NYC is good for snowy days, though I like them nonetheless. In High School I would drive to school in the snow, walk around campus in the snow, have friends come over after school to play in the snow. I would go sledding and cross-country skiing. None of those things are really the same in the city. Driving in the snow is much more difficult because most folks (including us) don't have snow tires on their cars so there is more slipping and sliding. Also, since there are no big empty places to put the snow, it is harder to clear paths through it. Last night I was suppose to go and see a friend but I canceled because of the snow. Even though it was only an inch or two. That would have never happened in Vermont. It's just easier to get around in the snow in the country. So, I think that experience affects my snow perspective a lot. It probably formed my perspective on snow actually.
So, the only solution is that we go to visit my parents, go snow shoeing, and walk and drive around.
Yesterday as I walking around through the snow I saw many small faces pressed against windows wanting to go out and play. I saw lots of little kids sliding around, through snow balls and laughing. I like that part.
I used to love snow. I LOVED snowdays, and we never let snow control our lives (my dad drove no matter what- I do the same thing. Last year, I would get Atticus into the carseat, shovel my way out of the driveway, and make it to class to teach on time, while my coworkers who live right in Northampton would cancel- go figure!). I've had lots of fun making snowmen, sledding, cross country skiing, walking in the beautiful snow, etc. And it is Pretty and it can be fun.
But now I'm a snow scrooge. As firefly pointed out, my already works a million hours a week husband gets up at 2 on snowdays so he can get to work and tell everyone else that they're school or work is cancelled. It's just not fair. No inkling of hope for a snowday. Then, he gets to come home and shovel , since I haven't managed to do that with a baby strapped to my front yet.
Today we had snow, freezing rain, and flooding. If I wasn't 100% for spring yesterday, I guarantee you I am today.
If only I still had the neighbors next door who would plow our driveway for us every time it snowed. Then I might still be brainwashed.
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