Winter's glory

This winter's been a harsh one for us in New Hampshire. Soon to break all records of snow fall, we've just no place left to put it all. A common sight these past few weeks, are men upon roofs shoveling quickly before yet another storm to come in. Many roofs have collapsed and for the first time ever has my home roof needed to be cleared of it all. Layer after layer; half a foot of snow and then a half of foot of ice, again and again, it was taken off. Even when nearing the bottom of it, an ax was used to cut the thick ice off. We've lost power more than once and put to good use the generator, at least to keep the furance going; the regrigerator cold and the television on to listen about the weather.

At times, the world outside was encased in ice cystals that would sparkle beautifully in the sun that always seem to appear once the storm has passed. It was almost as though it's casting rays that glittered brilliantly was indeed Mother Nature's grin upon us. Life outside the warmth of our homes, appeared as though all was froze in that moment, still and silent, as every tiny branch was wrapped inside the glittering, smooth ice.

Getting places, whether in car or on foot, has been difficult. Even now, cars pull out of roads too far as snow banks block their viewsto check for on coming traffic; pot holes and frost heaves on the roads give you a ride for your money: the cost of having the car's shocks fixed, front end alinements, new tires, or new car. There also seemed to be more injuries from falling on the ice, than I remember. In one day alone, I knew 5 people who fell and injuried themself. And, it seems a common sight now when driving to see another car off the road, buried into a snow bank or on top of one. And, we've had flooding of pouring hard sleet, rain and ice, that just had no where to go or drain because of blocked drainages. And so, you drove through rivers that ran across the roads.

Notice the picture under this blog's heading, of the snow in my yard. That picket fence is the one that is the entrance to my mother's garden. Its tips now only seen as near five feet of snow lies where it has not been shoveled or plowed.

Still, as harsh as this winter has been, I'd not trade it for any full time home in the sun and warmth. I just love the seasons and all that they may bring to us. I find the changes in each day brings us something special; something new to awe and to hurry in hopes to snap it up in a picture to keep it's memory alive before it passes into yet another moment one wants to hold for a bit of time.

And spring is here a few weeks. At least on the calendar. I've ordered the daffodils once again and soon they will be here. A sign of spring, even if the snow still is deep and the winds still howl and the rain is in ice form. Dairy Queen ice cream stand has just opened! Another sign of spring, as I listen to the sleet bounce off my windows. We've made bets to when the last of the snow will finally melt and be gone. With the size of some of the plowed banks, we guess into the middle of summer. Though now flooding, when this all melts down, is another issue.