Snow.
Today, my co-workers and I were talking about white Christmases. One is from Singapore and the other is from NorCal– neither one had ever had snow on Christmas before. My co-worker from Singapore as joking that whenever she watches “White Christmas,” she assumes that that IS Connecticut.
She’s kind of right.
Above is my parents’ barn during one of their past snowstorms.
This is a snapshot I took the last time I was at their house and it snowed. I love the crystal blue sky, and the dog tracks in the fresh powder.
One thing I learned from David and my cross-country road trip last December was just how different snow looks in each part of the country. New England snow is movie snow.
Desert snow (this is either Arizona or New Mexico, I can’t really recall) is bleak and gray. It has its own beauty to it; it reminds me that the people who settled the Western part of the United States were complete and total badasses. New England is cold and snowy and brutal during times– but I couldn’t imagine it was ever this desolate.
a high-desert snowy sunset. it doesn't get much prettier.
The co-workers were asking me what I miss most about snow.
I do like the clenliness of it, that’s for sure. The blank canvas of fresh nature that just … waits. It waits for animal tracks– I love seeing the natural ballet of creatures in snow. Hoof prints from deer are so delicate, they belie the size of the animals that walk on such dainty little points. Bunny tracks are always scattered, haphazard, and generally have fox prints right behind them. Little swishy mouse tracks go unnoticed– and giant bear tracks are imposing and surreal to stumble upon.
Once, my dad pointed out a bird wing print in the snow. A large bird must have taken off, and the tips of its feathers made a perfect outline.
I also love when it rains or when icicles begin to melt and snow gets dimply. Because when a giant blizzard hits– or when it’s around February and all you can see is white, snow seems like it is permanent. Like it’s never going to go anywhere and you will never again see another 90* day. But once the dimples show up and you can see a patch of bright green grass under the snow? That’s hope.
I love how warm snow is. Anyone who has ever been outside in the winter knows it’s warmer when there’s snow on the ground than when there isn’t. As a kid, I would look forward to snow because I knew that a 32* snow day was warmer than the days when the wind chill could get things down to 7*– or below.
But what I really miss most about snow is the quiet. The hush. The closest I can get to that now is going into David’s studio, where he’s got foam on the walls to dampen sound. But nature does it better. To go outside when it is snowing– whether you’re in the middle of the woods, or the middle of a metropolis– is to experience stillness.
When the subtle crunch of ice crystals beneath your feet is the loudest thing in your world? That is what I miss the most about snow.
I remember going out into the street during a blizzard in Boston. I lived right in the middle of the city– spent most of my time around Storrow Drive or on Mass Ave in the Back Bay. Normally, my life was filled with screeching tires and police sirens and car crashes. But when it snowed? Nothing. Even the clacking of bare tree branches was muffled.
Now that I live on an even BUSIER street in Los Angeles, I wish time and time again that a blanket of freak snow would come and just make everyone be quiet and still in this town. The city never stops, never gets put on hold.
Never gets a day to just rest and marvel at nature at a standstill.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love days when I don’t have to drive, and the snow peacefully falls outside my windows. I love the way my heater smells, on those days. I used to love curling up by a fire on those days, too.
I love when the snow has stopped, but fields remain flawless and untouched blankets of perfection.
i love the smiles, the blinding rays of sun during snow play.
I hate the mess. I hate the wet ick. I HATE the grey slush and the way it freezes in clumps that take months to disappear.
Maybe I should just take your lovely photo of your parents place, blow it up and tape it outside my window. :)
I more often than not view snow as an inconvenience. Thanks so much for the reminder of all the really amazing things snow has going for it. I never really thought about it’s ability to stop everything as being a good thing – but you’re right: we all need some calm and quiet in our lives. Nice points and beautiful pictures!
Ada recently posted..On Being Calm
I grew up in the desert, and until I was 23, never really dealt with winter. And then I moved to Connecticut (shortly followed by Jersey City living and Manhattan working). I hated winter. Hated. Loathed. with every fiber of my being.
EXCEPT.
The first snowfall, or during an actual snowstorm, or the brief window immediately after, was magical. Quiet, and still, and peaceful. Even in the middle of the city, it changed the volume and the pace. It was forced calm, for a brief period, and remains not only the only thing i could stand about winter, but one of my favorite things ever. Thanks for reminding me of those times.
Ginger recently posted..The Deli Across the Street