.png)
When we moved to Boston in 2007, we knew we were heading back into snow country. It didn't daunt us. We've wintered in Iowa where "white-outs" can make it impossible to see the house across the street. In Minneapolis, where wind chill is the big story. In Wyoming where the wind howls like a demon and in Park City, Utah where snow starts falling in late October and doesn't leave completely till late May. (No joke. We had 12 mortal feet of the white excrement to deal with that year, but I should have expected it since Park City is an international ski destination!)We know how to do snow.
And we know we'd rather not unless we have to. So we arranged our life in New England so we can enjoy looking at the white stuff, but don't have to do anything with it unless we want to. Our condo has staff that takes care of the sidewalks. We live a short walk to the Boston T. If we don't want to drive in the snow, we don't. But we can make snowmen in the park, watch our terrier leap from drift to drift, and appreciate the frozen beauty of the Mystic River.
So this week when our condo staff staked out put out the waist high sticks (and oh, yeah, the snow can get that deep here) to indicate where the walks should be shoveled, I started humming "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"
Do you live in snow country? Have a blizzard story to share? I remember one time in NC we got 8 inches and it shut down the city for a week! Do you dream of a "white Christmas?"
13 comments:
Well living in Minnesota I have seen it all. From 24 inches on Halloween to 54 degrees in December! But I do like a little snow for Christmas, after that it can go away!!! LOL! There is something magical about the crisp clean whiteness of Christmas snow!
Right now we have none at home in Minnesota! Hopefully soon!
Ah, it's that crisp, clean part that's the rub when you live in a city. It doesn't take long to turn to grey slush.
I love snow for Christmas, and in WI, more often than not we have it. I lived in KY for 3 years and a 17 inch snowstorm once shut down the city for almost a week. It was crazy.
And Jane, I think I was going to school in MN when those 24 inches fell at Halloween in 1991. I was there for only 3 months and we were going to a party at the University for Halloween--that was one crazy storm. The ice on the highway was awful!
So far one snowfall here in WI this year, but it didn't stick.
I want snow for Christmas. There is nothing prettier than snow on the ground, the trees and the rooftops for Christmas. I want to see it coming down on Christmas Eve.
Heh, I'm composing a blog entry right now on my adoration of the white stuff - while listening to Sting's If On A Winter's Night... CD. I picked my first college in Vermont in part on the snow factor. I don't ski, but I love looking at the white stuff, walking in it, even shoveling it (yes, I know, I'm weird.)
I have plenty of blizzard stories, but the one I'll share is from those Vermont years, where we had a snowfall overnight that was measured in feet and snowed in the entire campus. This being Vermont, however, it fazed no-one and buildings and grounds dug tunnels from dorms to cafeteria and infirmary and life continued, no cancelled classes. I will never forget the double-take I did when opening the dorm's front door to the immense whiteness that had covered everything.
Stacey, Usually I enjoy snow (just on Christmas Day, mind you!) This year, I'm praying for no snow because we'll be traveling that day. We'll celebrate with one daughter here on Christmas Eve and the other in MO on Christmas Day. Snow in a connecting city, or really anywhere on the US Airspace grid may really mess up our travel plans.
Sandy, I have to admit it is pretty. Here in Boston, they string white lights on all the trees in Boston Common which is right across from our church. Coming out of the Christmas Eve service, with the lights winking and snowflakes glittering . . . yes, even my Grinchy heart admits it's a special sight.
As long as I don't have to drive in it! I wrapped a car around a lightpole during an ice storm in Kansas City a couple years ago and I'm very wary of winter driving now.
Anna--Speaking of snowfalls measured in feet . . . the year we were in Park City, UT, it snowed 5 feet over Thanksgiving weekend. We were out with the blower every hour round the clock to keep from being trapped in our own house!
We saw very little traffic on our street all winter---only the cars with antennas standing up. We'd see the aerials passing. Everything else was hidden by the wall of snow.
Have lots of wonderful snow memories. I really miss it. I grew up in upstate NY about 65 miles from Montreal, Canada. We now live in NE TN. We do get snow and like you said, a little will shut everything down. We have been here since 1992 and have had only two really big snow storms. Shut the place down for 2 or 3 days once and 5 days the other time. We have snow forecast for this Saturday. We'll see how much we get. I don't have to go anywhere, so I'm not worried.
My worst snow experience happened in Iowa. We were moving from NY to Colorado. I had a wheel bearing go on my car so we pulled off the interstate. The weather was pretty bad, but we had planned to press on. We got the last motel room in town and it was not great. The snow blew in around the door and it never got above 55 degrees the three days we were there. The interstate was closed shortly after we stopped. Semi's couldn't move because their fuel had jelled. With the wind chill, it was 100 below zero. I had plants and 10 cases of veggies I had canned which had to be brought into the room. Our poor dog had to be carried out and held above the ground so her feet would freeze to it. My DH and I spent most of the time in bed trying to keep warm - with our two daughters, a dog and a cat. The girls thought it was wonderful eating at the "greasy spoon" cafe attached to the hotel for 3 meals a day. Our car was fixed the day it warmed up enough to reopen the roads and thaw the fuel enough so the truckers could leave. We loaded up to leave and the battery was dead on our other vehicle. We can laugh now, but my husbands sense of humor was not functioning at the time.
Since I grew up in Iowa, I can well believe your worst snow story comes from there. Winters can turn vicious and I'm grateful they close the interstate because otherwise, they'd be pulling bodies out later.
And you're not kidding about the 100 below temp. One year we flew into Des Moines for Christmas and the sodas in the coke machine just inside the airport doors were freezing and exploding from the occasional stiff breeze. I set my purse down next to our rental car and the strap instantly froze into a hard triangle. Very dangerous for exposed skin.
We had snow once here in our village,it only lasted overnight. It was lovely. Today has turned very cold,and the mountains have a hint of the white stuff.I am ready to snuggle down for the evening with a book,a glass of village wine and fluffy socks. I have just started reading a Christmas Ball, so the festive feeling is all around.:)
wow, these are really impressive snow stories! I'm just hoping for some snow when I go visit my boyfriend's mum in Norway over Christmas - we don't usually get much snow in Holland. I do really love it when it's fresh and white, especially when I don't need to cycle through it...
Glynnis--Hope you enjoy A CHRISTMAS BALL!
Nynke--Since my DH is of Norwegian descent, he's always wanted to visit Norway. Lucky that you're so close!
Cycling in snow sounds horrible! Hope you don't have to!
Post a Comment