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That First Snow of the Season

Read more articles on Life's Nuances and Let Me Share With You.

November 16, 2007

About This Editor: Karen has enjoyed her many varied experiences in corporate business management, dance education, and preschool assistance. She hopes to write about these past lives-and more-from her home in Pittsburgh, PA, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and 3 cats.

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del.icio.us:That First Snow of the Season

Well, if you’re in the Northeast today, you know what I mean. No matter how old I get, I always smile when I see that first snowfall. Mind you, by April I’m ready to smash it into the ground so I can’t see it, but it is exciting in November.

Perhaps it’s because we haven’t seen the white stuff for at least seven months, or maybe it’s due to the image of our world being covered in powdered sugar, but I love the beauty in it. Some of my fondest memories have taken place while it’s been falling, and two of my favorite paintings reflect snow-blanketed Paris. Nothing compares to being outside during a wild and windy snowstorm and feeling like you’re in one of the plastic globes that has just been shaken. When moonlight shines on untouched snow, it almost seems that the faceted glitters and sparkles are nature’s attempt to cover up any man-made ugliness.

But as you folks who live with snow know, it’s more than just watching something happening-unlike rain, which you really can’t see as well and which doesn’t accumulate to the visual eye. It’s the smell of snow, which is somehow different than the smell of winter. It’s something that is hard to put into words, but it’s sharp, clean, and unforgettable. Then there are the different textures of snow, ranging from powdery to soft to crumbly to gritty, to that horribly crunchy type that screams “Ice!”

In other words, all snow is not the same, which makes life interesting for those of us who experience it. Right at this very moment, kids are making plans to go sledding or ice skating tonight, and ski season is right around the corner…although a warm Halloween occurred just two weeks ago. It’s funny; we seemed to go from summer to winter in a blink of an eye.

Snowfalls will bring with the problems they always do, such as fender benders, slipping accidents, plowed-in cars, shoveling, school cancellations, and the need for real winter gear. Unfortunately, it also gets the world into the Christmas frame of mind, which is OK for a couple of weeks in December, but not for now. Last year I wrote an article here, “Thanksgiving Gets Short Shrift” and I still echo the sentiment. It’s easy to forget that it is still fall, although I’m gazing at trees in a blaze of orange glory against the stark whiteness of my yard.

I don’t plan on bringing out winter decorations for some time, and it will be soon enough. The snow will be around for awhile to remind me, lest I forget, that it’s that time of year. It’s one way to keep us somewhat in our places, because if it’s one thing that humans can’t control, it’s snow. Even if we shovel every hour, we can’t keep abreast of it. So we may as well accept that we’re probably supposed to use this time for other, inside activities-or just find a way to enjoy it. At least for now and next month, until we tire of seeing a world of white outside our windows!