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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2010 > February > 06 > Entry
The White Death arrived!
Well, those wacky forecasters got this one right … the snow arrived, in the amount foretold, and more or less at appointed time. Bravo for modern weather modeling!
As I emerged from hibernation this morning to the scratching sounds of dogs needing to be let outside, I looked outside and saw a miraculous sight: My back yard transformed into a delicate filigree of frozen lace, branches gently swaying in the wind clad comfortably in their soft new coating of white.
The change brought out the inner puppy in my old dogs, who tore through drifts with glee, leaping and prancing and searching for critters under the deep snow. And I found myself smiling as well, enjoying the scene and thinking, yet again, that there may be nothing more transformative on any landscape than that first clean new blanket of white. Ahhhh.
And yet, with it comes a lot of work and headache. We tell ourselves that we’ll just burrow happily into our cribs, staying inside all day and not bothering to go out in it, but that rarely is the case. The need to live intrudes and becomes an inconvenience, as cars get stuck and walks must be dug out. Driving becomes a crawl at best or a danger at worst — something I was reminded of just last night as I struggled to get home safely from Cincinnati as the storm was blowing in and making the darkened interstate a slick, perilous mess.
So with the beauty comes the beast. And isn’t that makes winter the Most Complicated Season, the one that causes us to reflect upon the balance of all things?
Spring’s loveliness is simply what it is, and we we are able to enjoy without irritation or cost as it gradually blooms and unfolds. Summer’s heat can be bothersome, but more of us seem to prefer it to the cold and the frost. Fall and its paintbrush color are simply gorgeous, and the season asks nothing more of us than to clean up after it a bit in the yard — a pleasant enough chore and a good excuse for exercise. Plus, it smells so good.
But winter? Winter is different. Winter demands tribute. It comes with cost. You want to feel the thrill of my beauty? it asks us; fine, but it’s on my terms: I’ll shut you down. With the transcendent sigh of pleasure that comes with that first morning peek into the yard comes the realization that much of the day will be spent with a shovel in hand.
Pretty but painful. Complicated, indeed.
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Comments
By Johio
February 6, 2010 6:25 PM | Link to this
I agree with vick - nice article with a unique take on winter.
By Mariaaa!!!
February 6, 2010 5:06 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I noticed the poetic thing, too.
By Amy
February 6, 2010 4:37 PM | Link to this
OK, Ron. If you’re frickin’ done channeling Robert Frost would you get outside and get the walk shoveld!!!
By Mariaaa!!!
February 6, 2010 1:48 PM | Link to this
See? Who needs technology when you’ve got a good shovel?
By Weathermen are clueless
February 6, 2010 10:27 AM | Link to this
I’m so happy for the meterologists. They got 1 out of 10. Fired from any other job.
By vick
February 6, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this
Downright poetic blogging here, Ron. Bravo!