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Well here we are, all primed and ready for the snow we've been advised is coming our way in the wee small hours of tomorrow morning, its fall-varying degrees depending on geographical position
We've just been out for our evening walk, Alice and me and, right now, the snow is soft and powdery under foot. It's collected into small drifts, lying thickly on path and grass verge where it crunches beneath the foot fall. Where it lays on the path, it appears as a thick sprinkling of icing sugar/confectioners sugar, soft and yielding.
This afternoon, before the snow began to fall again, the residue of earlier snow, glittered with night time frost, which so swiftly follows the swirling, falling snow flake. Beneath this layer of innocent whiteness, lay hid the little patches of compacted ice which trip the unguarded foot, causing the heart to flutter. Anticipation slows the careful pedestrian, anxious not to slip or skid, for a fall could certainly bring bruises or strained limbs, possibly even a damaged hip, so the careful walker treads with more watchfulness, once winter's snowy days have returned again to plague the adult population.
For the child, and the inner child, falling snowflakes bring an added frisson to winter's season, and the possible excitement of snowball fights, sledging, tobogganing and the building of snowmen, with their eyes and mouth of coal or stones, to grace the garden until the thaw.
trees and roof tops graced by snowy crystals clinging to their structure.
Now we've all shopped at our favourite food store for adequate supplies, against the threat of being cut-off from nearby civilisation, for village and hamlet, in the event of overwhelming snow falls and drifts. And we townsfolk too, have garnered extra stores against tomorrow's hiatus, when the snow has settled upon us and our gardens.
Drifting snowflakes, twirling and dancing down from leaden skies above, are so pretty and joyful, floating about on the breeze, without a care for tomorrow, at which we gaze with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Who knows what road or rail journeys we may have to make tomorrow, the expectation of which might bring a sense of angst to even the stoutest heart?
Yet we'll cope, one way or another; children will rush out into their snowy playground, excitedly throwing
snow-balls at friend or foe, travellers will either stay or go, depending on the urgency of their journey and happy stay-at-homers will discover a need to venture outside, just to check on a hose a fence or shed, and carelessly trail a pathway on virgin snow, or caress a snow-burdened leaf or twig. It's magical presence a re-discovered joy, despite the beleaguered traveller's qualms.
Most probably our snow-filled days will not endure for long, yet we have experienced awful snowy conditions, lasting for weeks, and oh how well, I remember college days, made difficult by frozen pipes and chilly morning dashes to get to lessons on time, when frosty snow lay about for almost three months
At school, how late I always was, the last to return to afternoon classes, ruddy cheeked and bright of eye, lingering by desire outside, hands numb with cold. Lucky for me, our music teacher was always amused by my late appearance!
Well, we shall see, tomorrow morning, what nature has thrown our way, what sights to enjoy or fears to surmount, and what plans to make for this winter's snow-sundered days.
Other places mostly fare far more harshly than we, normally, ever do. Their snow-ploughs, vehicles and peoples, acclimatised to winter's yearly burdens, survive and flourish so well, but so will we and who knows, it could be fun!
My dear SO can't wait to get out in my Mazda and slip and slide through the snow-bound stretches round-about, and Alice will be beside herself, tail up and nose down, snuffling over snow-powdered walks.
Oh happy, happy days for the young-at-heart!
Daisy xxx
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