Snow Day Grievances

With a Winter storm featuring 24 hours of snow on the horizon, last night my school made the call for a snow day today.  I was not mad about that because I love myself a leisurely morning and with classes cancelled I can freely indulge in such luxury.  The rest of the day will be given over to catching up with work —— new lessons for the 8th grade, comments home about quizzes and such, a calendar for the post Spring Break months, planning for a (fingers-crossed) in-person but socially distant closing ceremony for the 8th grade.  In short, there is plenty to keep me busy today.

Around 8:30 am I opened up my side of our school digital platform to find no less than 8 messages from students.  Several wanted to know if school was cancelled….all acknowledged that they had received the school message which read “…Thursday, Feb. 18 will be a snow day for all students.  All instruction and campus activities are cancelled.”  

Yikes.

A few more students sought to find out if the digital open note quiz, assigned three weeks ago and slated to close tonight at 8 pm, would have an extension because there was no class today.  

Ahem, hard NO.

A few more offered explanations for why they had submitted incomplete quizzes and were now sending additional answers to the quiz questions.   Would I please give them full credit?

I cannot even.  

At this juncture, I took a pause from school work and stuck my nose into a Miss Read book.  Her February in Fair Acre features early daffodils and the smell of Spring.  That’s a balm to my tired soul and spirit.  When I return to the business of quiz grading and such, it will be with a patient heart.  Pandemic school is hard for us all.  Winter makes it harder.  We are all worried and afraid.  But kindness is free and I will find some hope; I always do.

The quiet fall of snow is lovely.  We have heat, running water, and electricity in my corner of the nation.  Winter can’t last forever and March is on the horizon.  Sassafras Spring will surely arrive even sooner.  We can do hard things.  And we will.

Snow Day

This week and last, Mother Nature delivered snowstorms with nearly perfect timing and so last Tuesday and again today I have enjoyed a snow day.  

A snow day is always appreciated and neither storm brought a boatload of snow so I’ve no complaints.  As I went outside to shovel this afternoon, I was struck again by the beauty of snow, which still seems exotic to this California native.  When snow is freshly fallen, everything glimmers fresh and lovely.

Today’s snow was light and easily shoveled; tomorrow’s forecast promises temperatures in the 40s and sunlight.  Winter is beginning to yield to Spring sunlight and blooms.  But today was lovely to behold.  That’s happy!

The Industrious Snow Day

Yesterday, we had the day off for the sort of snowstorm that was perfect because of its timing.  This storm brought snow, ice, and sleet but not in abundance and temperatures slipped back over freezing overnight so that today’s morning’s drive won’t be horrible.  A Tuesday holiday makes for a shorter week and I was determined to both get things done and enjoy my day off.  Over morning coffee, I made a to-do list and then got after it.  I started a load of laundry and did some schoolwork.  I  completed my taxes (and shook my fist at Donald Trump, whose tax cut didn’t help me a bit).  Then I took a break, made a cup of tea, and settled in with the cats to read my book for a bit.

I baked some shortbread and made a few treat packets to give away.

I worked on the paper craft flowers that will be my March front door wreath and now I am ready to assemble the wreath.

I took after my nightstand and the tiny drawer therein, which has become completely crammed over the years.  First, I emptied the drawer onto a towel on my bed and marveled at the amount of book marks, paper, pens, and safety pins one woman can toss in a drawer.  Below is a picture of the empty drawer.

And here is the heap I had stuffed in it.

As the heap thinned, I found some treasures.  These pictures of two year old JT were charming.

I also found my grandfather’s pocket tape measure.  I suspected it was in the drawer and finding it was a treat.

After throwing out the trash, I sorted out the treasures that remained, decided which ones spark joy (I know that idea sounds silly, but it really works), and then neatly returned those items to the nightstand and the drawer..

Like all of the other Marie Kondo-inspired clean-ups I’ve made, this one is lovely because it will make my daily life nicer.  

I wrapped up the day by making a pot of red lentil soup which was warm and spicy; a perfect bowl for a cold day.  This recipe is a keeper, both because it’s easy to make and because it’s delicious.

It was nice to have some time to catch up and relax in equal measure.  This morning, I head to school refreshed and with a much shorter to-do list.  That’s good news!

Nor’easter, Round 4

With the regularity of a Netflix series dropping a new episode every week or so, we have had 4 Nor’easter storms in the last 4 weeks.  Today’s storm had the nerve to roll in just as the Spring Equinox arrived and while we are on Spring Break.  We’ve not yet finished the clean up from Nor’easter number 3, so it’s safe to say that I am not amused.  Additionally, I have decided that it’s time for Spring clothes, a decision that Mother Nature thinks I should regret.  

JT and I enjoyed all our favorite snow day routines: late morning luxurious breakfast (crepes with bananas, strawberries, and nutella), an afternoon movie, homemade supper (and tonite he tried an adult beverage…..he’s not much of a fan, it turns out).  Shoveling is saved for tomorrow, because tonight there are books to read and movies to watch.  And tomorrow promises temperatures north of 40 degrees.  These days, we’re happy to let Mother Nature do at least some of the work for us.  Begrudgingly, we acknowledge that the snow is lovely to behold.

But at this point in March, daffodils would be a more welcome sight.  We'll know to appreciate them when they arrive.

Snow Days

On the heels of JT and I declaring our own "snow day" last Friday, Mother Nature revealed a certain amount of envy.  A few days later, she sent a Nor’easter that buried New Jersey in snow and bought us two days off from school, yesterday and today.  The day of the expected storm dawned cold, but not frigid, with a temperature just above freezing.  For the the first half of the day, there were cloudy skies and a light rain, but little signs of the massive storm being forecast.   Just when I began to give up the forecast as a bust, the light rain converted to giant, wet, snowflakes.  

Soon after, accumulation began.  By the time the snow had ended, we had more than a foot of heavy, deep, wet snow.  Just after 4pm on the day of the storm, JT and I headed outside to clear a path to the driveway.  We shoveled out to the road but the snow fell as fast as we could shovel and all around us we could hear the cracking noise of tree branches falling.  In our backyard, Old Man tree lost branches.  As darkness descended and the storm would down, the frightening sounds of the branches cracking began to fade, replaced by the noise of plows making their way through town, pushing the snow to the edge of the road (and packing in everyone's driveways).  We got the call we'd be off from school for a second day and I was grateful. 

Thursday dawned sunny, clouds blew past in the morning and melting continued apace, with temps in the 40s.  JT and I went outside to shovel out our cars and move the broken tree limbs to the driveway.  The snow was heavy and it took us about an hour working together to clear the sidewalks and driveway.  By the time we were done, the roads had dried.

This is the second year in a row we've had a March snow of the deep and heavy variety. Our shovels are pretty worn out and we'll need new ones for next year.  It's also clear that I will need a heavy-duty snow blower to replace this kid.

Nor’easter Day

At some point in December, JT and I reminisced about snow days from our past, days when school was closed because of snow and we were home together as the storm passed through.  There was sleeping in, card games and TV watching in those days.  We’d play in the snow, JT always lasting longer than me because someone had to go inside and start the hot cocoa.  At night, we’d go for walks in the snowy darkness, to listen to the quiet and celebrate the found time.  Early this Winter, we looked forward to a few last snow days in this, his Senior year.

Mother Nature never cooperated.  Though we had plenty of cold and some snowy weekends, there was never enough weekday snow to give us the day off.  As January transitioned into February, JT and I began to fear we’d not have our last snow day.  We were loathe to give up the transition and so we declared today our very own snow day.

There was a rainy, windy, and wet Nor’easter, but this one didn’t bring snow.  We slept in, went out to lunch, and watched Netflix.  We enjoyed one another’s company and laughed a lot.  I lived in the moment, because that’s what I need to do these days.  The moments were fun and that’s happy!

Snow Day!

We have had some snow this winter, but mostly just a bit here and there (and on Saturday, the equivalent of a Winter middle finger).  We’ve not had enough to have a snow day from school.  Until today, anyway.  As this week unfolded, the forecast for Thursday looked better and better for a snowstorm at just the right time for a day off from school: starting overnight and dumping the bulk of the good stuff during the morning commute.  Snow always generates excitement and this storm was no exception.  Thursday’s snow day was declared at 4 pm on Wednesday, providing enough notice for a happy sleep in on Thursday morning.  When I woke up, the storm was working its magic.

Snow ended by 2 and the sun came out by the time JT and headed outside to shovel the walkway and driveway.  Our labor earned us some hot cocoa.  There was a time when I had a little boy and made hot cocoa so much that I knew the recipe by heart.  These days, it’s a treat only recipe, but it’s as delicious as ever.

We sipped our cocoa and remembered snow days when JT was in and out all day long, churning up the backyard, building snowmen, and making snowballs.  Today, the backyard is untouched.  

Sunlight, blue sky, and snow is a brilliantly beautiful combination; the sort that makes Winter worthwhile.   

Icy Path

Sunday night, a Winter storm blew our way and by Monday morning, the world was frosted in sparkling white snow and ice.  We had a snow day off from school and so I did some shoveling of the front walk early on Monday morning.  More sleet soon covered up my labors.

The rhododendron that guards my front steps dropped and shivered under its layer of ice.

The evergreen bushes seemed no better off.

As I write this morning, it’s 11 degrees and the sidewalks and roads are shiny with patches of ice. The cold will linger and more snow is expected on Thursday.  Six more weeks until Spring is the mantra that will get us through the next few weeks.

Snowy Day

Count me among those who woke up this morning mighty relieved to find that we weren’t buried under a mountain of snow.  As I lay in the quiet, I was immensely grateful to hear the quiet tick of my alarm clock, a sure sign that we still had electricity.  The pre-storm forecast and my experience with Hurricane Sandy had me prepared for the prospect of disaster.  And while so many others are mocking the National Weather Service and other forecasters who got this storm wrong, I’m just glad to be safe.  

It’s hard to tell because of the blowing and drifting, but it looks like we got just short of a foot of snow in my corner of New Jersey.  More snow is coming down as I write this post.  Later today, JT and I will go out and clear a path.  For now, we’re enjoying the blessings of a snow day morning.    The weather looks to be significantly colder in the week ahead, with lows in the single digits by the weekend, so this snow will stick around for a while.  

In the last few years, it’s been my experience that weather extremes are on the increase.  Those extremes are driven by global climate change.  Our 21st century sensibilities seem to have convinced us that we have can know everything.  Alas, we cannot, especially in a period where the earth is adjusting to some significant alternations in the global climate.  To snidely comment on the errors of weather forecasters while a significant portion of the nation cheerfully ignores the obvious signs of man-made climate change seems like a dangerous combination of ignorance and hubris.  How about we instead count our blessings, share gratitude that this snowstorm wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and contemplate how we can ease the burden of our human actions on the only planet we have? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

This Winter's ample snow days inspired me to get to work on some homemade Valentines.  They were fun to make and send, a reminder that blessings shared are blessings multiplied.  Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Snowday #6

A nor’easter blew in over night and when I got up this morning, 5 inches of new snow had fallen.   It’s been coming down at an inch an hour since and we are practically buried in snow.    This is a photo made when I got out of bed just before 8 am.  Look for the leaf to the bottom left in the picture and the clear ruler in the middle of the snow piled on the table.

This picture was made just a few minutes ago, at 9:15 am.

The leaf to the left in the first picture is now completely buried.  Snow is falling at more than 1 inch per hour.  The National Weather Service forecasts more than a foot for us before this is done.  On my street, there is nowhere to put all this snow.

It’s beautiful and quiet outside and given the wind chill it’s incredibly cold.  For now, I intend to pour a mug of hot tea, grab a cat for my lap, and read a good book.  Winter is in charge.

11:30 am updated photos.......and the snow is still falling.

3 pm update....round 1 of the snow has stopped and JT and I set to work on clearing a path out of our snow cave.  The mountain of snow at the end of our driveway is impressive, as is the snow beast at work leveling it out.

Ice, Ice Baby

We are home from school today, enjoying our 5th snow day of the year, this one courtesy of an ice and snow storm, Winter’s duo of pain.  I am watching the frozen power lines with a combination of anxiety and dread, mentally urging the temperature to creep above freezing.

Meanwhile, in California my sister is laid up with a post-surgery ankle wrapped in an impressive array of bandages covering the staples.   She’s hoping for a scar impressive enough to warrant a story about a shark bite.

The sleepless KO and I have been e-mailing back and forth and when I expressed concern about our icy power lines, she offered up a solution: “I think you have a ladder, an extension cord and a blow drier, no? Seems to me you can just go clear your power lines yourself! Homespun version of a snow blower, but for ice. Why has no one thought of this?”

Setting aside the fact that her ankle was damaged in a fall from a desk being used as a ladder and her pain meds-induced fog, she may be on to something here.  I’ll set JT to work as soon as he gets up.

Dogwood in the Snow

After a weekend with sun and temperatures in the 40s, days that found JT outside in shorts and the rest of us feeling like Spring is truly just around the corner, this morning Winter reminded us who is still the boss.   Dawn brought snow.  The flakes are small but it’s falling fast.  The National Weather Service is calling for 8 inches by the end of the day.  We have the day off from school.  Just a few minutes ago, I took the opportunity to step out on the back deck and make some pictures of the dogwood with snow on its slender branches.

The white snow against the dark branches looks like delicate lace.  Cold and shoveling chores not withstanding, it really is lovely outside.

Snow Day!

The most recent Northeast snowstorm landed us two days off from school, freezing cold, and nearly a foot of snow.  This last development is more of a challenge than usual because my snow blower is in the shop.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that my snow shoveler is not in the shop.

When the storm was completely done and the sun deceptively shining, JT and I bundled up and hit the sidewalks.  

Luckily for us, my snow blowing neighbors had done the hard work of blowing out the driveway, leaving us to finish the porch, the front walk, and car clean up.

The bright sunshine that shines in the aftermath of a snowstorm is often spectacular, even if the cold is extreme.  And it is extreme, as this look at our 7 day forecast demonstrates.   Happily, JT and I are a fairly cold-hearty workforce.  We made relatively quick work of the snow and came back inside for hot cocoa, warm afghans, and good books.  That’s happy!