We were under a winter advisory watch from late yesterday afternoon until this morning because of all the snow we were supposed to get — three to six inches, they said. And boy, did we get snow — the full six inches that were forecast.
You’d think this is the sort of day that would make me regret moving back to Colorado, but rather to my surprise, it made me especially glad to be back here. I’ve never lived anywhere else where the aftermath of a winter storm (even though technically it was an autumn snowfall rather than a winter storm) is so invigorating, almost electric, with absolutely still air, blindingly blue skies, hot sun. Of course, there is the chill factor, but that was easy enough to alleviate with proper clothing, and pleasant enough for all that.
Even shoveling all that snow wasn’t a problem — it was hard work, but that work also gave me an excuse to be outside to experience the day. I suppose by the end of winter — if we get many snows like this, that is — it might be a different story, but for today, even the shoveling was a joy.
A Colorado friend who is now living in a mostly snow-free area wanted me to make a snow angel, but I had to turn her down. I can just see that — lying there with snow wings on either side of me, freezing to death because I couldn’t get up. My becoming an angel for real is not the sort of angel she wanted to see, I’m almost certain. Besides, the snow is so powdery, I doubt the image of an angel would remain even if I could still play around like that. I couldn’t even form a snowball to make a tiny snowperson.
As I was writing this, I got a call from a local friend, asking if he and his wife could stop by. I said yes, and asked when. He said, “Open your door.” So I did, and there they were, just pulling up in front of my house. What a lovely surprise, and another reason to not regret being here.
Apparently, they had made a dish to take to church for a meal afterward, as they always did, but no one else showed up. So they thought of me.
We had a good meal and a great visit.
And a good day got even better.
***
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Bertram's Blog 
December 13, 2020 at 2:38 pm
I lived in a small town on the Illinois/Wisconsin border for about six years and commuted to work in my Jeep with big, studded snow tires. I kind of miss all that here in Georgia where snow is only an occasional happening.
December 13, 2020 at 3:21 pm
The world is definitely different when it is covered in snow!
December 13, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Definitely.
December 14, 2020 at 2:10 pm
In my neck of the woods, it has been (untypically) quite snowless so far this winter. It was kind of nice to get an inch or so recently. I find the darkness gets to me, and the snow seems to brighten things up a bit.
December 14, 2020 at 4:25 pm
We’re getting your snow. Last year, we had almost no snow. This year we’ve already had a couple sizeable snows with another on the way tonight.
December 14, 2020 at 2:41 pm
That whole image of you perhaps inadvertently becoming a real snow angel made me laugh. I know the feeling.
December 21, 2020 at 6:35 am
I do miss seeing a good snow or two during this time of year. I do remember the blizzards I had to drive thru MANY years ago, and I don’t think I could do that any more.
December 21, 2020 at 7:38 am
I certainly don’t drive in the snow anymore! There’s nothing that important for me to do.