A walk in the snow

Thursday, 6:59 pm

By Kate

Dec

13

2007

What could be nicer than taking a walk in the snow? It’s fun being out in the snow. After I shoveled the driveway and came in to thaw out for a while, I thought I’d walk down to the mailbox.

I wrapped a scarf around my neck, pulled on my thick down jacket, plopped a thick hat on my head, gloves on my hands and took off. By the time I’d taken a few steps into the street, it occurred to me that this was not going to be a normal walk in the snow. There was a substantial layer of ice underneath all that fluffy snow in the street.

About halfway between the end of my driveway and my next door neighbor’s driveway, my feet went out from under me so suddenly that I wound up in the middle of the street flat on my back looking up at stars (the ones behind my eyelids), without having any recollection of how, exactly, I got there. It’s a good thing that I had on a thick jacket and thick hat on my head. And it’s a good thing there was additional snow padding the pavement or I might have been in a little trouble. Because my head hit the pavement with a pretty good whack.

I picked myself up and journeyed on with tiny little baby steps. Several more times my feet wanted to go out from under me, but I maintained uprightness. I was glad to get back home. I don’t think taking a walk in the snow was an inspired idea. It’s dangerous out there. Anyone driving tonight is INSANE.

I’m okay, I think. I managed to strain my thumb somehow, but my head seems to be intact, without any bumps or lumps. It’ll be interesting to see what muscles are protesting in the morning.

If you live in this neck of the woods, stay home and be safe. I don’t even recommend walking to the mailbox. Not even if you KNOW there’s a Netflix movie in it waiting for you. T’aint worth it.

Here comes the snow

Thursday, 2:06 pm

By Kate

Dec

13

2007

While the rest of the community packed into the grocery store to stock up on heaping carts full of supplies, just in case we’re snowed in for the rest of winter, I checked my coffee supply and panicked. Four scoops left! Oh my gosh!

I left the house at 12:50 PM, without a flake of snow in evidence. Halfway to the store, tiny flakes began falling. When I came back home, thick flakes drifted lazily down. And now, an hour later, the road is covered and the snow is coming down with purpose...slightly less than a vertical fall, now. More diagonal. Wind must be picking up. The snow is beginning to pile up. I think we’re having a snow storm!

I’m awash in coffee, the wood racks are filled to the brim, and I have plenty of dry kindling. That is the recipe for snug contentment.

I’m sure I’d be much less sanguine if I had a long commute ahead of me. Rush hour will be a nightmare this evening.

Meanwhile, a very cold and lonely crow is perched on the roof ridge on the house across the street. He must be cold—his feathers are all puffed up. And, every few seconds, he flaps his wings to shake the snow off. Pretty soon he won’t look like a crow if he doesn’t go take cover somewhere. But he just sits there, watching the world go by. Guess he likes snow, too.