Monday, December 6, 2010

Fluffy Snow

I like this part of winter, when snow is still a novelty and the roads aren't yet lined with greasy, blackened snowbanks.  I actually enjoy bundling up and going out for a walk  in the fresh, chill air. 

Ken does not share my enthusiasm for winter's wonderland.  We went out to get a little exercise yesterday, but found that we couldn't walk very fast or very far because the sidewalks and side streets were coated with intermittent slicks of ice.  I didn't mind taking baby steps across the frozen patches, and was enjoying the damp, cool wind on my face after hours of hanging around inside.  Ken was miserable.

This morning I had my first taste of a winter commute.  After listening to the satisfying sounds of the condo complex maintenance crew clearing the snow from my walk (I swear I'll never stop appreciating the absence of shovelling in my current lifestyle), I set out to the bus stop at the usual time - and got to work 20 minutes late.  For the past four years I have been able to walk all the way to work.  Snow didn't slow me down much.  Now I'm dependent on the vagaries of traffic.  My 10 minute bus time multiplied by a factor of three.  I hope it's not like that every time it snows.

And yet, despite the inconvenience, I managed to enjoy the ride.  I watched soft, puffy snowflakes drift down onto the bungalow rooftops and evergreen trees.  By the time I alighted from the bus for the second leg of my walk to work, the flakes were so large that it was as if it were snowing little fluffy white kittens and bunnies.  From now on, I hope all of you will work with me to introduce this new phrase into common usage, i.e. "It's snowing kitties and bunnies out there."  Hey, it makes way more sense than "It's raining cats and dogs."  When have you ever seen a cat or dog that resembles a large droplet of water?

11 comments:

Warped Mind of Ron said...

Big snowflakes are indeed quite peaceful and it's nice to have a snow day or two when you don't have any obligations. However driving in the snow storms and dealing with ice on the roads are not the things I enjoy very much.

Jameil said...

LOl! I love the wonderment in this post! It's so cute1 I got some of that for the first time in years. We got our first snow here Saturday which is EXTREMELY unusual for NC this time of year. I was still shell-shocked for the misery of snow in Pittsburgh and warily enjoyed it then got in it and loved it and woke up the next morning and it was gone. I can stand my snow to stick around a tiny bit longer. And now next time I can remember it won't be here for long and relax and enjoy it the whole time! :)

Ileana said...

What I wouldn't give to see it snowing kitties and bunnies out there...or polar bears for that matter. I would love to feel snowflakes on my cheeks again, and your whole post made me jealous. :)

Enjoy your winter wonderland!

PS - My sea monkeys arrived the other day. Yipeeeee! My son will love them!

Kate said...

I'm jealous at the moment.

Anonymous said...

Well, my car is already covered in icky black slushy crap. So the quaint and cute and fun part of winter is done for me.

Just Plain Tired said...

We got our first significant snow last Friday/Saturday. I'm now ready for Spring to arrive. ;)

Sparkling Red said...

Ron: Indeed, I believe I am free to enjoy winter because I don't drive and I don't shovel. Either of those chores would probably ruin it for me. Driving in bad weather stinks.

Jameil: The snow is going to come whether you like it or not, so you may as well enjoy it!

Lulu: I am very much looking forward to hearing about your sea monkey adventures in the new year! I bet your son will be thrilled. :-)

Kate: It's 3pm and it's still snowing! There, I made you jealouser.

wigsf3: Blech. Dirty winter cars are yucky.

JPT: Winter shall henceforth be known as "Almost Spring" in order to keep our hopes up.

LL Cool Joe said...

You can keep the snow thanks! Here in the UK we are not prepared for this kind of weather and the whole country grinds to a halt. So forget the bunnies and kitties I'd rather have cats and dogs!

DarcsFalcon said...

If you can find wonder and joy in it, then more power to you. :) I can't say anything nice about it, so I will say nothing at all. I only like pictures of snow. I grew up with green Christmases, and still miss them. If I could send you all our snow, I would in a heart beat! I'm not selfish! ;)

Glad you're feeling well enough to get out there and walk around in it. :)

DarcKnyt said...

I'm glad you're up and about! Good sign!

Winter wore off when the cold hit too far ahead of the snow here. Otherwise I can feel it for a few minutes, but this year no dice.

Ah well. There's always next year. ;)

Jenski said...

I love the first snows! We had light flurries for several days, but I think tonight it is supposed to stick. Yay! :-)