Here in Virginia, March always gives us one last snow day. It’s not a hard and fast rule, sure, but it’s true enough, and this year was no exception.
It snowed about five inches on Saturday, and we enjoyed it for as long as we could.
(I know…she doesn’t look like she likes it, but trust me, Annie is a Snow Dog.)
It’s all melted now, and this week is supposed to be pretty warm. I’m ready for spring, but I’m always a little melancholy when winter comes to an end. So, until next year. And for now, bring on the daffodils!
What an utterly unexpected and incredibly lovely surprise!
And quite a nice way to start the new year, I think.
Until yesterday, forecasters predicted this fast-moving snowstorm would go south of us, but here it is. And I am so happy.
I hadn’t planned a busy day today, anyway – Graham’s off of work until tomorrow – but I think I shall officially declare today a Snow Day, and spend it reading, drinking tea, generally lazing about in my pajamas, and gazing out on this beautiful and fleeting winter landscape.
Annie is an almost eleven-year-old Australian Shepherd. She’s been with us since she was just a little puppy.
Though I would not recommend an Aussie to an inexperienced dog owner, watching her experience the world is one of the great pleasures of my life. She’s smart, spunky, friendly, curious, quick to learn, and easily the most energetic of all of us. She loves Graham best, and she’s happiest when they go for walks on the path along the mill race.
It snowed Sunday morning, and while I sat by the fire with a cup of coffee and a book, Graham took Annie out for some playtime and a snow day stroll.
It snowed almost as much in six hours as it did over the course of two days last week, and it was just beautiful.
I’m glad Graham got some good pictures before it melted. Which it did, by Sunday evening. But as always, I enjoyed it while it was here to enjoy. And Annie did, too.
It looks like we’ve got more winter weather to look forward to this week, though there’s apparently a chance for some significant ice, so, we’ll see. I was worried, back in the beginning of December, that we’d see a winter with barely any snow. How lovely to be wrong.
I don’t think anyone expected a winter storm to hit Virginia in December. It’s certainly not an impossibility in any given year, but we normally have to wait a little longer into the season to see any real wintry weather.
It’s been a year full of surprises, hasn’t it?
Wednesday started off snowy, and it was so lovely. My husband got a fire going – the first of the cold season.
It snowed until about 3:00 p.m. – big flakes and small flakes, heavy showers and light. It was beautiful. Really, really wonderful. I’d say we got about four inches.
I love snow. You know what I don’t love?
Ice.
You see it, right? See, after about 3:00 p.m., the weather turned, and my quiet, gentle snow showers turned into evil, spiky little ice crystals. And they worked fast. Like, scary ice storm kind of fast.
The thing about ice – one of many reasons that I don’t like it – is that it’s heavy. And when you live in the country, on a property with lots of trees, heavy ice can be a real danger.
Case in point: We had to call the fire department because the limbs of our birch tree were so laden with ice that they ended up resting on the power lines, and started to spark and flame up, and kept at it all night. It was terrifying, and we’re expecting a visit from the power company to do some serious trimming.
So, I spent an anxious evening and a largely sleepless night worrying about a fire near the power lines, and listening to ice ping against the windows and the metal roof.
But I have to say, it sure did look beautiful by the morning. Almost pretty enough to forget how much I hate ice.
I mean, come on, it doesn’t get more Christmas-y than red berries in the ice and snow.
And the willow looked like something out of a fairy tale.
This wasn’t the first snow I was expecting. But this is 2020, so this was the first snow that I got. We’ll see what else this winter has in store for us. I, for one, am hoping for NO MORE ICE. But always for snow.
Delicate and slow Snowflakes descend from gray skies And turn the world bright
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In rhythm with life Like white petals on a breeze Fragile crystals fall
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Powder coats the ground Soft like sweet icing sugar Dessert for the eyes
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This new snow globe world Brief and fleeting as a breath Fantasy made real
*******
I love snow. I’ve always loved snow. I like the way that life slows down when it snows. I like the reminder that fragile things – tiny, delicate things – like snowflakes, can have a huge impact and tremendous power.
A December snowstorm is a truly rare thing here in Virginia. The forecast has changed several times over the last hours, so I’m not sure how much snow we’ll get today, but I can tell you one thing:
I will enjoy every single millimeter and every single moment of it.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 