Our snowy drivewayÂ
Well, I finally got enough snow to cover the ground!
By the end of yesterday, we had a good 4 inches. Plenty of snow to blanket the yard in white, go for a sled ride or two, make a snowman or 2, and eat a bowl full of snow cream.
Over the last 2 weeks, the word SNOW has been on everyone’s mind in the southwestern corner of North Carolina. Not because we’ve been inundated by snow like the folks up north. Nope the whispering of the s word has been in total anticipation of what might happen.
If you’ve been a Blind Pig reader for a while you know about my great love for snow. My cousin Clint teases me about my fondness for snow. See he lives where there’s snow all winter long-which means his family just keeps on going. Life doesn’t stop for them like it does for us down here.
I’ve always been the one hoping for a big snow. When I was a kid and snow was forecasted I kept my fingers crossed and my toes too! As soon as I woke up I ran to the kitchen turned on the porch light and looked out the square windows on Granny’s front door to see if the forecasters were right on the money or if they had left me holding the bag wishing I had done my homework like I was supposed to.
Pap had to get out in the snow. His regular job was delivering oil to folks and it seemed like they always needed oil when the cold and snow came blowing in. I felt sorry for him having to get out in the snow, just like I feel sorry for the folks today who have to get out and about when bad weather hits. I’m especially thankful for those who stand in the gap, keeping us safe.
I have no doubt that if I had to endure snow for months at a time I’d change my tune. I can’t imagine what people in the Boston area have had to deal with this winter.
But here-snow means no school; jogging pants, sweatshirts, and toboggans; your friend calling you at 4 am to tell you it’s snowing to beat the band because she knows you love snow as much as she does; stogging around in the white stuff until you’re too tired to play anymore; warming by the wood stove sipping hot chocolate while the drip of your wet clothes plays a song for your ears; and sitting at the window staring at the falling flakes in wonder of their beauty.
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
Beautiful picture!
I’m afraid I’m more of Bill Burnett’s persuasion, although when seen from inside the window of a warm house (and not the windshield of a vehicle), it can be a pretty sight.
It’s a pretty picture you post, Tipper, and I especially enjoyed Ethelene’s poem. Where does a body get ahold of the “chapbook”?
We got 2-3 inches earlier this week here in south central NC (Angier). Temps finally went high enough to melt it away this morning and afternoon, and now it’s snowing again. LOL
I came from big snow country (Erie, PA) and don’t miss it much at all except for CHRISTmas Eve and CHRISTmas morning. But I must admit, the snow covers a multitude of muck and mud, leaving everything pristine and gleaming, and it muffles sound, so the near silence is beautiful too.
And the truth is, if I had a choice between snow and freezing rain, I’d choose snow every time, in any amount, because snow rarely takes the power lines down leaving people with no heat or lights, or with freezing pipes and damage when they thaw.
So I’m praying for everyone this evening to be home with loved ones, safe and warm.
God bless.
RB
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Well Tipper, you should be ecstatic because it’s pouring snow in Western North Carolina again tonight. Personally, I’ll be happy as a lark to be finished with winter. We were iced-in for nearly all of last week. The road in front of our house still has icy spots due to the shade of overhanging trees. I guarantee I will not wish for winter in the heat of summer. And to think, just 3 weeks ago we were enjoying early crocuses. I want to get out in the garden and plant some seeds!
Snow not one of my favorite subjects did not like it as a kid and dislike it as an adult I do agree it is pretty as it is falling but walking in the snow and ice to take care of the “critter-folk” in the barn is a real hard-ship for me—–but on a good note littlest grand baby 3 yrs of age was here staying when this last snow fell—so we made a snow-man only 18″ high and we made snow cream so it was a fun time to share with him but now that that has occured pleas let spring-time come
Glad you finally got your snow. Wish I could blow some of ours in Michigan down to you. Right now, we’re at the dirty looking stage. Sand and dirt mar the landscape along the roads where the plows have been. Hopefully, things are supposed to improve here in about two weeks. Believe me. I’m anxious. Nevertheless, I understand what it’s like to live in the south and crave just a few days of beautiful white stuff. Stay safe and warm.
Snow here is almost 2 feet deep. drifts are near 3 feet. We haven’t had a day above 25 degrees in almost a month, high most days has been between 8 and 15 degrees, lows around -5 to +3 degrees. This is the coldest February on record in NE Ohio. Records should play music, not havoc!Good thing I kept a snow shovel on the porch, my Garage door is frozen to the ground so I can’t get the snow blower out to clear the snow. If the car had been in the garage, I would be mail ordering groceries. Is it spring yet,I want flowers?
I love the snow and enjoy walking in the woods in snow. Last winter was my first one in snow since 1978, so I had a long, dry spell. We are retired now, so I just got back from the grocery restocking for our new snow tonight here in Brevard, NC. I don’t HAVE to get out in it unless we have an emergency, but I feel for those who have to get to work.
Tipper,
I love this snow too. In just about
5 months we’ll be wishing for this
Winter Wonderland again. It’s been
many years since we’ve had the cold
and snow like this in February.
Matter of fact, I can’t ever remember it this cold and snowy
after Valentine’s Day, but I love
it!…Ken
PSS….I forgot the cracked corn that is scattered around the edges of the driveway and woodland for the turkeys, crows and hopefully some few grouse and quail that are still on our place!
Thanks Tipper,
SPEAKING OF BIRDS:
We actually have had more than a couple of hundred or so birds visiting our feeders. Twenty-eight varieties of finch’s (house, goldfinches, purple finch, etc.) sparrows, (white throated, black throated, field, etc.) woodpeckers, (hairy, downy, red-bellied, ladderback, flicker, great pileated,) etc. Doves, Blue Jays, Brown Thrashers, Towhees (Joree bird), Blackeyed Juncos (snowbirds), Titmice, Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadee, Black capped Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Robins (feeding on ground under feeder) Bluebirds, (at least 8 feeding on mealworms and suet), a few Starlings flew over from the neighbors barns where they nest and feed as well! I am sure I have missed some….
When the ice is on the tree limbs and ground it makes it very hard for the ground feeders to find food…
My blocks should be ready for tonight and hope they carry them through until the bugs, creepy crawler critters show up for all of them
I have out suet, homemade suet/fruit blocks, finch feeders with Nyjer seed, goldfinch socks (Nyjer seeds), hanging in (used orange/onion, potato) mesh bags, saved and folded just for this purpose or for reuse in the summer garden, a homemade version of seed, melted suet, fruit etc…
I am right this moment rendering down another 5 pounds of beef suet/fat to make more suet blocks. I put them in the freezer wrapped or put in small plastic containers, pop them out to use in the mesh or on the platform feeders…The Kroger here saves and gives me free all the fat I need or can use.
Thanks Tipper,
PS….I had three squirrels come down out of their nests to fill up on some peanuts, old almonds and sunflower seed…they are so fat and sassy…
PS….How is your sassy wild squirrel?
Silently in the Night
So silently within the night
Snowflakes robed the landscape white.
Beauty crossing hills and leas
Laid bridal wreaths on all the trees.
Then again in fast retreat
Snow laced the boughs with dancing feet
‘Till all the valley and the plain
Lay festooned, and in gay refrain
The winter wed the muted hill
And all the gathered guests grew still.
Then, deftly in the early morn
Light adorned the scene with form.
Too soon, alas, this sight will fade
And only darkness dress the glade.
-Ethelene Dyer Jones
(in 1984, my first chapbook of poems, “The Singing in the Wood”)
This little lyric poem was an attempt to describe poetically how snow came in the night and how we awakened to beauty all about us.)
So glad you got your snow, Tipper! 🙂
I too think snow is a beautiful, especially when viewed from afar.
I am just so very happy you got your snow. Enjoy! Enjoy, as your memories will be even more vivid than the real thing. I hated it at times growing up, as it seemed to cause a great deal of “cabin fever” back then. Now I seem to only remember the big bonfire with sledding down a steep hill, and nope, doubling on a sled is not a good idea. The one guiding the sled seems to leave you behind as your skin and clothes become the runners.
Unlike you, Tipper, my favorite is a loud booming lightening storm. It is always so much louder and more dramatic from the top of a mountain. We built many hide-outs in storms right there on Mom’s porch under her ironing board. We would just throw a big blanket over that ole ironing board and voila–instant cabin. Spring will get here soon, and guess I will get a lot of that but, sadly, minus the ironing board.
Tipper, I don’t want to rain on your parade but when you witness the damage, deaths & injuries caused by snow it is very hard to consider it beautiful. I just have to be glad it’s not an ice storm which is even worse. I know many of the problems I’ve mentioned are caused by people who do not respect the problems caused by the snow and ice but it’s obvious many will never adjust their behavior so I have to blame the weather. In closing I just ask folks to realize the posted speed limits aren’t applicable when snow and/or ice cover the roads and ask them to prepare to live without electricity for periods when the weather deprives them of it. Here’s hoping the forecast for later today is wrong.
We have snow on the ground from yesterday and expecting as much as four inches today here in Pickens Co. GA. We have the sleds ready, a roast in the crock pot and hot chocolate. We get just enough snow here to satisfy me. Our pastor is from upstate New York. He has fallen in love with this area. He said it looks similar but much less snow and shorter winters.
Tipper,
I am so glad you got your snow! The weather prediction here is for another round starting this afternoon and continuing into tomorrow. I also think Murphy/Brasstown my get some of this prediction as well!
Our state was visited by the governor yesterday and he declared Tennessee just one notch below a catastrophic disaster.
There are still, according to this mornings news, 32,000 homes in East TN without power.
This ice storm was terrible on the plateau. Icy trees falling everywhere and had to be moved before trucks could even access the power outages. There have been 30 deaths in our state contributed to the weather.
I love the snow and if I had my “rathers” would take snow anytime over ice storms.
Our grandchildren are out of school again today. Making today eight school days missed but counting in the presidents holiday last Monday. I doubt they will go the rest of the week with the new snow predicted for this evening and tomorrow.
Your driveway looks like ours…really! All downhill to the main road…The better half had to carry up a few essentials to the house on Thursday after a venture out. He only made it a partial way up the driveway, leaving the truck at the circle split so as to not totally block it…
Stay warm…we have to go out today and get the usual milk and bread…LOL
Thanks Tipper,
PS…ONLY 22 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!!!
PS…Thinking about making that Chocolate Sheet cake, but have to get buttermilk!
Snow: Why I live Hawaii!
Snow makes it ok to not tackle the unfinished projects. I do think of the animals and people who have no choice except to venture out. Safe travel and warm clothes.
Pretty photograph, like a picture postcard! The temperature here in Shelton, CT, yesterday at 6:00 a.m. was zero. But the days are getting longer, March 1st is this Sunday, and spring is on its way.
I don’t like snow as much now as when I was teaching high school. There are places to go and things to do for old retired teachers.
Our last now has been on the ground for eleven days and might be around eleven more from the looks of things. It was never a pretty snow – not the kind that sticks to trees like it did at your place. It has been slightly thawed, refroze and sleeted on, making it even uglier. The record breaking cold has created icy mounds that makes it almost impossible to drive the untreated streets. I have always been a snow lover too. I think I have changed my mind…at least for the rest of this winter.
I am so happy for you, Tipper! Your long awaited ‘white fluff’ has arrived in its beauty. Although I miss seeing the beauty of white covering the earth, it brings back childhood fun. As children in NJ, my brother and I had lots of fun shoveling the sidewalk, but not so much fun with the driveway – it was quite long. Then the big snow plow would come through and block the new shoveled driveway and we would have to do it so my dad could get in when he finished working. Good memories – snowmen, snowballs, and freezing fingers (well, not that part so much)
I remember those days of wishing for snow so school would be cancelled. They would often happen around my birthday , Feb. 17th. My Mom would plan a party and then we would get the only snow of the year. Here in Vermont, we got 8 more inches last weekend. Happy that God is sharing some of the snow with you. Barbara
How soon we can change our view of snow.
Coming from PA and having a business that opened at 7:00 a.m. meant getting up at 4, plowing the parking lot, shoveling the sidewalks and getting the coffee pot going for the first customers. It also meant that the help usually called off so I had to work by myself for the whole day. Needless to say I hated snow.
Now that I am retired here in the mountains I sit by the fireplace and think what a beautiful site to behold.
How life can change.
Yes I agree with everything you said!!! I always felt guilty wishing for snow because my grandfather and father were milk men for Carnation Milk Co. Picking up at farms first with cans and later with the big stainless steel tanks on their trucks. The milk had to be picked up especially after people started using tanks in their milking parlors or the tanks would run over. Then what did I do? Married a man that delivered gas and oil to farms and country stores. Still can’t wish for snow without feeling bad. Anyway, enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhhh,Tipper, enjoy your beautiful snowy day. Wish I could be right there.
Yep, we got our snow and it was beautiful. A winter wonderland. I like the snow but not like you, Tip. You love the snow more than anyone else I know.
I also love snow. We have had ALOT this year,though..even for us. Mostly though.it has been cold!! We have had so many below zero days and nights,with lots of wind. That cold wind is what I don’t like. I love that soft,fluffy snow. It is so pretty,and often it’s quiet when it falls. Enjoy!!