It's been years since our last real snow here, but the wait was worth it. I don't know that I've ever seen a prettier snow.
Three days later and the ground remains covered, though tomorrow's temperatures will see to that. Until then, though, it's lovely, and enough snow remains to muffle even the sounds of its falling from the trees.
The drive, steep and shaded, remains covered as well, which means the car remains parked at the top of the ridge that runs along the edge of the farm
Walking to and from it through the woods that cover the slope of the ridge reminds me, every time, of just how much I love these woods, this land, and just how deeply that love can be renewed by seeing the land and the forest through new eyes.
Eyes squinting, just a bit, against the glare rising from the snow.
Ice
What little weather we have had here this winter — it was in the 70s ten days ago — came a few days ago in the form of a bit of ice. Power stayed on without even a flicker, and no trouble getting up and down my steep shady drive. I had been hoping for a snow, a real snow, but so far nothing.
Last year was little better — one good snow that was immediately crusted by ice/sleet, leaving us powderless though not, thankfully, powerless. That time my drive did freeze and stayed so for more than a week. I parked at the top of the hill beyond the evergreeens and hardwoods that shield my little valley, and came to enjoy the walk to and from the car — about a quarter of a mile through those woods — when I had need to go out.
It has snowed here as late as March and early April, but I'm holding out no hope this year. It will or it won't and I'll deal with either.
Ground still not frozen; have been putting in some time in the garden and vow, this year, to do a better job of cultivating it... and this blog.