1 year ago
Monday, January 27, 2020
SNOW
Some of my regular readers know I LOVE snow. I cooked my brains out for years in Florida and when I was looking for a place to retire that would stretch my dollar, I headed north but evidently not far enough. The Chamber of Commerce lied to me about the winters and the summers in northern Arkansas.
The winters are much warmer than advertised and the summers have gotten brutally hot. The only year we had a really good snow, a full 12 inches, I was in Florida enjoying a trip to the Keys on a sister's get away. Loved the time with my sisters but was sorry I missed the one big snow at home.
I revert to a grinning 6 year old in the snow. When I first came here the snows were fairly frequent. I would get out and walk in the quietness on the country roads. I was asked so often if I needed a ride that I started carrying a walking stick to show my true purpose. They still asked which I guess is good.
I no longer have the lungs to hike through the snow but I can still look and enjoy the pure beauty. So far this year, not a flake of snow for my area. My neighbor keeps watching the news and calls me every time there is a suspicion of snow in the forecast. She is on Team Patti for having at least a dusting.
Then the other day I got a phone call that made me realize I really am not on Nature's
good list. My sister in Florida called to let me know it had snowed on her in Royal Palm Beach. Flurries yes, but I am to the point I would get excited over that. No snow here but in Florida??? Noooooo!! Think there must be a karma thing I haven't worked through. Still time I hope.
Are you anti or pro snow?
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Ready? NO SNOW! Surprise. I grew up with numerous feet of snow from Sept thru May on the ground for 50+ years. Driving on snow packed roads...nope, nope, nope. No more.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeletePretty sure if I had to work in it, I'd sing a different tune. But since I am retired and don't have to be anywhere, bring it on.
I'm with you, Patti. I just make sure the frig and pantry are well stocked and I just stay in. Medical appt? Cancel.
DeleteI like to leave VT and head for FL at the first snow flake. It is pretty at first but it sure does lose its appeal very quickly.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteAh a true snow bird. My brother does the same thing and is quite happy about it.
I like snow for about five minutes after it has stopped. Then the hassle begins.
ReplyDeleteAs yo may have guessed I am not a fan of winter.
Suzi,
DeleteI guess for most of us, if exposed to something long enough, the novelty wears off. For me the novelty of brown and bare has worn off.
You should book a winter vacation in a Snowbelt state. I've always lived in Michigan and have made a great deal of money off snow (see my latest blog on that) but I would gladly send you half of ours.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteYou know, that is a pretty good idea. My luck while I was in Snowbelt state, Arkansas would have a record snow:))
I enjoy snow now and then, especially how pretty it is right afterwards. And how it muffles sounds everywhere. But decades of life in Colorado sort of changed all that. Now I can't say I exactly dislike it, but walking around in it is a lot like work these days. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteIsn't the silence wonderful? You have found a great spot. Enough snow to keep satisfy your curiosity but mild the rest of the time.
Oh Patti, iguana's were falling from the trees down there it's been so cold. If you really want snow and cold have you thought about the great lakes region? I grew up with 150 inches of snow a year. They repeated that 2 yrs ago bit made it 200 inches. Normally only 100 or more inches a year annually. Their summers are beautifully warm but August can get humid. Which if like me and you who live in truly southern humidity, it's not so bad, it's nothing like that. I am not pro-snow any longer. I hate the mess, the shoveling, the snow blowing, the inconvenience. But I loved it until I was much older. Having said that I still never wish to live where it is the same every day but I don't wish for snow. Mid-south is perfect like where I'm at or North Carolina - 4 seasons but nothing much in snow. We had an inch last Saturday and they told us to stay off the streets. We curled up with some hot cocoa and watched a movie under a big ole blanket with the dog at our feet. It was pretty damn nice. And it was gone by afternoon so it made the snow even nicer!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteWhat you had last week is my idea of perfect. That is what Arkansas promised but so far hasn't delivered. When I was a kid in Ohio, I prayed we would become snow bound. Not then either.
We moved from Royal Palm Beach, FL to NC for the snow also....this year is a disappointment so far....but, there's still HOPE!
ReplyDeleteBlueRidge Boomer,
DeleteYou might have been my sister's neighbor. She has lived there a long time. Oh, I know the disappointment. Hope we both get out wish.
I like snow when it falls but not later when it turns to slush.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteHaven't had one last long enough for that to happen.
I like a little dusting of snow every now and then, but a winter of endless shoveling is no fun at all. It's beautiful in every way, and I love seeing the mountaintops here dusted in white. That's plenty for me.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteYou are lucky in that if you want, you can take a drive and be in it or go the other way and enjoy the ocean.
Born and raised here in Canada, I do appreciate four very distinct seasons. I think of winter as my holiday from yard work -- except for days like today when I have a driveway covered in snow that needs clearing. Now starting to look forward to Spring and an end to snow!
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteI only had to shovel snow once since I've been here and I loved it. Pretty sure the novelty would wear off real quick it if was daily.
If I could mail you some snow I would. We've not had as much as most winters but I'm tired of looking at it. :)
ReplyDeleteEileen,
DeleteWish you could. I'm sure if I saw it a lot, it would get old.
I believe it is kind of politically incorrect to actually say you like snow, but secretly most people enjoy it. I did not like commuting problems when I worked, but I still loved the snow. Now that I do not have to go anywhere I LOVE the snow even more. A big storm gets me very excited, but I would not like to be caught in one off guard or driving. After a good snow fall I even enjoy going out and driving in it! THis global warming thing is ruining my snowey winters. NJ gets about as much as Arkansas these days.
ReplyDeleteAs much as people complain about the snow, I remember going out after a good storm, dragging kids on a sled and waving to all the neighbors, many that I did not know and there was a Christmas like feeling of good will among everyone.
SO YES, I love the snow, and so do all my children...I raised them well.
joeh,
ReplyDeleteAh yes, a kindred spirit. Way to go Joe. Good to know that even exposed to a life of it, you can still love it and have passed that love on.
Grew up in Illinois and knew Snow well. Iowa was a beast.
ReplyDeleteWould enjoy visiting family in IL for a week or so.
Susan,
DeleteSometimes a visit for a week would be the perfect amount of time to enjoy the snow.
Haha, aw Patti! I am PRO-SNOW (in a big way) and we've only seen a dusting or two here in Pittsburgh. I think I've got some of your karma, for years I trudged thru ice & snow on my way to the bus-stop every morning & night for work... but since retiring 5 years ago, have yet to see a nice heavy snow or get out my boots even once. What gives?!!
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteGosh, you aren't getting any snow either? Phooey. Not working does make the prospect a lot more fun.
My granddaughter told me her favorite season is winter because she loves the snow. And yes, I know she does love snow. I always loved snow when it first fell fluffy and pretty. I didn’t appreciate driving in it to get to work. I also didn’t love shoveling it. However, it is a lovely feeling to walk in snow covered woods and marveling at all that white.... and the quiet. Still.... I do rather like living in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteHaving a bit of both worlds would be nice.
I know, that quiet is so soothing. We don't realize how much noise invades our worlds.
I grew up in the higher NC mountains where we had plenty of snow. Like most kids I loved it. When our children were small, we lived in Wisconsin with plenty of snow and I loved it. We did all the winter activities cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, snow shoes, and tobaggans. It was great then. Once I hit 60, I wanted nothing more to do with snow. It became a bother and inconvenience. So my feelings about snow have changed over the years. We retired to an area where the elevation is such that we see only a few snowfalls each winter. And the snow doesn't linger long. And that's just fine by me.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
DeleteDidn't realize that in N Carolina that elevation made that much difference but I guess that is common sense. So glad you found your right level.
I love watching it fall and until cars and people make a royal mess out of the pristine white. Then I am ready for it to go.
ReplyDeleteLatane,
DeleteHum, my northern stints have been in the country so the snow stays pristine a long time. Here, it hardly lasts a day so it doesn't have chance to get messy.
Absolutely pro snow! It doesn't even feel like Christmas without snow. We got a lot of it here in Fargo this year so far and I am one happy camper. :)
ReplyDeleteRita,
DeleteFargo huh? Now that is some serious snow country. I am a bit envious. Have fun.
If a weather forecast here even mentions snow, everyone gets excited. Some are saying "Yippee!" Some are saying "Oh no!" Kids and teachers love a snow day or two, but not too many because then they have to be made up in June. Commuters fear snow. Driving on our hilly streets in wet, slippery snow is no fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm retired. I like a good snow day once a winter, as long as it melts away fast.
Linda,
DeleteI have seen pictures on your blog of some really pretty snows. Think you have the right amount. That was what the Chamber of Commerce promised me in Arkansas but it hasn't happened yet.
I understand how us Southern girls can fall in love with Snow in the Winter. Since I am retired and don't have to drive in it, I'd love to stroll through nature covered in snow. Of course it would take a totally new wardrobe as I live in shorts and sleeveless almost year round.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteCan so relate. When in Florida I was totally excited when it got cold enough to wear a jacket for the whole day.
I'm anti-snow ... which is why we leave PA for parts in the south from mid-January to beginning of March. But, you know, I've never been to Arkansas. I should try to get there sometime.
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteYou are doing it right. Following the weather you like a migrating bird. Arkansas is or at least has been mild if that is your choice.
I can't say for certain if I am anti or pro, since I've never experienced it for myself. It looks very pretty in pictures I've seen, so there's a pro, but I've heard how cold it is and I've seen the blizzards and buried houses and cars, so there's two anti's right there. I guess I'll stick with Australian winters. Cold air, cold nights, sunny days with blue skies.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteDidn't realize Australia didn't have snow except in the higher elevations. Hey, as long as those sunny days are thrown in, life is good.
I love a walk in the snow. Usually we have a downfall in Jan. but nothing so far this winter.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteI know, isn't it almost like you have stepped into a totally different, beautiful and quiet world?
It may make you feel better to know that it doesn't snow in Sweden either any more. The earth is warming up and us snow lovers are left without. But here, at 4,000 feet, we had an epic snow storm the day after Christmas, 18 inches to two feet. So it may happen to you as well. Winter isn't over yet.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteOh dear sorry to hear that about Sweden. I find that a bit scary. How delightful to have had a snow for Christmas. Wow that had to be so much fun.
I'm in love with snow until April when I'd like a switch to turn it off. Our snow at high altitude lingers into June most years, and at that point I start not liking it! PS I commented before on my iPad but don't think it went through.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteYour pictures make me drool a bit but they are also a balm. Thanks for all those trips on skis. They make my day.
I love snow. I know my friends and family who have to drive to work every day would love to never see it, but I would love to have one good blizzard before this winter is over. We have not had much snow in Indiana the past several years. I yearn for a 1978 blizzard. That was a doozy.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteI know, I craved a blizzard every year in the north. I thought being snowbound would be so cool. Hope we both get our wish.
Hi Patti: I am sure I commented on this entry. Did it not come through?
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteI didn't see one but I had computer problems for a while. Maybe it got lost then.
Like most things, I feel good and bad about snow. Just moved to snow country myself after a life in California for forever. It's beautiful and hushed when the new snow falls and I love it's beauty. When it gets old, crusty and dirty, not so much. We still have snow (dirty, icy) piled up on the north side of buildings well over a month after the last snow. Tomorrow it is forecast to be 68 degrees. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteTara,
DeleteWell I am glad the California girl is at least seeing some of the pretty stuff. Isn't that quiet amazing. Maybe I am such a fan as that it has never stayed around here long enough to get dirty. Guess that 68 degrees will get rid of the dirty part.
Well in spite of my lifelong residents here in Minnesota I'm somewhat anti-and basically because I don't have any outdoor hobbies here and with my knee injuries and vertical even shoveling snow doesn't work for me anymore. This month that is January we've had seven days of sunshine. I'm totally anti-that as well just plain too depressing..............
ReplyDeleteRay,
DeleteI guess with out outdoor hobbies, snow is not much fun. The sun has been a stranger here also. Today is the first sunny day in ages. Hope you get some more of them to lift your mood also.
More anti than pro, I am afraid. When it snows it usually quickly turns to slush, which is horrible. And when there is a lot of snow I can’t actually get the car out and have to miss all appointments and shopping trips. My house is on a slope. So I am glad that there are few years when it snows heavily.
ReplyDeleteStill, I hope you get your heart’s delight some time soon.
I can empathize Patti. I love the snow but our winter has been tremendously dry in Colorado this year. In fact it's over 70 today. SEVENTY! Which is a tad alarming for our area. Supposedly the temperature is going to drop hard and fast tomorrow and we'll get some snow, so crossing my fingers.
ReplyDeleteI am okay with snow but I do miss daylight that comes with winter here. I am excited that days are longer snow or no snow.
ReplyDelete