Well our winter is complete, we have had our snow storm. No "wintry mix" arrived to disappoint us. We got ten inches of real snow with zero sleet. Now I am sure if you live in Boston or parts of Canada, ten inches of snow would not be very welcome.
We live in the mountains, we're supposed to get some snow. This isn't Georgia or Florida, Virginia gets snow. It's almost a matter of honor especially for those of us who live on the sides of mountains and drive four wheel drive vehicles.
Part of the reason most of us live in the Roanoke Valley is the four distinct seasons. We have stunning spring weather, some hot days in summer, fantastic fall leaves, and snow.
Today we got our snow so now we can move on to spring as soon as we have finished enjoying the snow.
There is nothing like watching a snow storm start at night. I feel like a kid again waiting for them to cancel class. Getting up with it still snowing makes it even better. There is just something magic about the silence and the white blanket that comes from a real storm.
When you work inside most of the time, you're insulated from the weather. Rarely do we have to out and battle a rainstorm. A snowstorm gets us all outside. Everyone needs to clean their driveway. You can do it with a shovel, a snow blower, or use a Canadian snow scoop like mine. I push snow and try not to lift it. I figure that way I can still clear my driveway when I am seventy-five. Of course I might find a warmer place to live by then so I don't end up spending two hours pushing snow just to feel part of the natural world.
A good snow storm gives you a different perspective on things. That steep useless banks perhaps raises thoughts of finding an old sled and giving it a shot. Snow puts a beautiful cover on winter grass that is struggling to become spring grass. As usual this storm brought out the birds, not that we ever have a shortage. I think we have some cardinals that have never been more than one hundred yards from our house since we feed all year long. I love to see the cardinals sitting in the trip contemplating their next trip to the feeder. Then there are the chickadees, Carolina wrens, and lots of other birds all taking advantage of the extra food that I put out during a storm.
This isn't like those Canadian storms when you wonder if the plow will ever punch it way through the drifts. Our road grader plow came this afternoon and did a pretty good job of clearing the road so our period of isolation was only a few hours and really only in the mind since most of our neighbors went to work in their four wheel drives that we up on the mountain side cherish so much.
Yet it was fun, I enjoyed the storm, the anticipation of getting out of bed this morning and seeing a world covered in white. Cats are definitely not as much fun as dogs in the snow. Chester even in his last year enjoyed the snow and almost treasured the pile of snow left over from clearing our driveway. He fact it was his spot even when it became smaller than him.
The yard didn't have all his paw prints this time, but somehow I think Chester might have been there watching me push the snow around and waiting for the opportunity to enjoy his snow pile.
