| Snow Begets Snow
February 25, 2010
It would figure if I actually put pen to paper and wrote about our last bout of snow with accompanying photographs that Old Man Winter would play the trump card and actually disappear for at least a week or so. Nonetheless, at this writing there is still a smidgen of that white stuff lingering on the ground, and according to some old wives’ tale that means more snow will come. So, I haven’t gotten out my shorts and flip-flops yet because just when I do, the weather outside is likely to turn frightful. When it comes to winter in western North Carolina, all bets are off. After all, we are all familiar with the sight of snow on the daffodils!
Following are some comments I’ve heard from friends and associates every winter for at least the past 10 years:
“We used to get some bodacious winters here.”
“I remember one year, back in the ‘70s, it snowed every Wednesday!”
“Back when we had winters, my dad would put chains on the old Chrysler. That thing was like a tank, but it’d get us where we needed to go. Do they even sell snow chains anymore?”
“We used to get our sleds out, build a fire in an old oil drum, and stay outside sledding and  having snowball fights until our moms made us come in. Our clothes would be soaked and we’d be numb all over from spending the day out in the white stuff! I haven’t used my sled in so long I don’t remember where I put it.”
“Snow cream … yum- that’s the best!”
And this one is the kicker: “I wish we’d get some snow.”
Hmm…this lends new meaning to the old saying: “Be careful what you wish for.” Snow! Snow! Snow! Since December 18, 2009, anyone who has wished fervently for snow in the past decade has had their wish granted, practically every week. And, gentle readers, we’ve been very long overdue for a true, bonafide winter. We haven’t had one in so long we hardly know how to act. Of course, by now some of you have probably caught on to the fact that if the weather man/woman even hints there’ll be a snow flake in your area, the most important thing to do is be sure to stock up on bread, milk, chocolate, canned soup and beer (not necessarily in that order).
If I’m at home, it’s nice to go outside to fill the bird feeder, and maybe walk down the hill to the mailbox and get a breath of crisp, cold air. (That’s about the extent of it if you are a “mature” adult, but not yet in the “senior” adult category.) However, one Friday afternoon in January while  I was positioned comfortably in my leather recliner with my puppy, Gus, curled up asleep in a tight, toasty little ball in my lap, I happened to gaze out the window noticed a snow flurry had begun.
I thought, “Now would be a good time to break out the new camera and go outside to see about photo possibilities." So, I wrapped Gus up in his favorite fuzzy throw blanket and nestled him softly in the chair, and ventured forth to take a creative break. Early evening was encroaching and the snow was coming down steadily by the time I got suited up and ventured outside. I managed to get off a few shots before darkness descended.
While I’ve adjusted to what natives of Catawba Valley and the southern foothills call a “real winter, by God,” I have gotten weary of dressing like a human onion who, by the end of the day, is peeling layers off into a giant heap, then jumping into some thick socks and flannel pajamas and scampering like a field mouse to the warmth of the fireplace hearth. It’s there whilst warming my backside I enjoy my favorite cold weather tradition. That would be receiving multiple warm, gentle laps of the tongue and “snoodling” with my four-legged pals, Astro and Gus. Dog biscuit anyone?
Peace readers – stay warm!
Photos by Sara Mawyer |
