Saying yes...

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Colder than Snag's tit

-13 this morning. I've been out twice... once to take the dog out, and again to free the garbage can from its icy prison in order to move it to the curb. It amazing how loud everything is when it's that cold. Everything makes noise when it moves. I've got to go out in about an hour. I just hope the car will move.

Correction: I was just informed that Snag's tit is still colder, coming in at -21.

Sculpted by the Seasons

I grew up loving winter, loving bountiful snow, which is a good thing considering I grew up in an area referred to as "The Buckle on the Snowbelt". When the first big snow would fall, usually in early November, I would be giddy with delight. My mother would respond with, "Wait until you have kids... and places to drive." I didn't think that would harsh my snow-mellow and until last year, it didn't.

Last winter was harsh on an existential level. It was one of those that grabbed hold of your vulnerable spots, made you drop to your knees and cry, "UNCLE!!!" I don't even think I realized how bad it was until we moved into a truly miserable spring and there was no mental reserve left, just raw nerves and angst.

It was with these memories so fresh in my mind, that we moved into yet another cold, unyielding season. The snow has been overly-generous, the cold, cold enough to remind you that most of what we call, cold, is really not cold at all. The fluctuations we've experienced are wide enough to remind you that we're all walking on the edge of bipolar, weather included. But even for all of this ratcheting up, this winter has not been as dark as last winter. This winter has instead been a curiosity, inviting my observing eyes and my sense of intrigue. Yes, there have been highs and lows, but lows are tolerable.... as long as you don't have to stay there.

This morning, as I was returning from driving Grizzled to the train, I was amazed at what was going on outside. It's snowing like mad, the temperature is plummeting and I felt very in tune with it and was thinking I was thankful, in some odd way, that it was here. I've never wanted to live in a 2 season place for two long. There are days in March that this sounds attractive, oh hell, I usually hate March all together, but for the majority of the time, I love the changes and the extremes a season can bring... even gray, damp, chilly March. I would be a more boring person if my personality were only defined by summer. I would be more insane if my personality were only defined by winter. I like the fact that I'm being formed by them all. I'm also thankful that during this winter, I am able to take the ride it's offering and not be swept away to scary places by its undertow.

And, the verdict is??

SNOW DAY!!!

It's all a blur...

As you know, I attended the painting class Christmas party yesterday. I was leery about going... not sure how they would react. I liked most of the people in the class, but there were a handful that were, well... challenging.

I drove up, took the parking spot waaaaaay in the back. Old habits die hard. I inhaled and proceeded to walk in. From outside I saw nothing, but merriment and a table spread with treats straight out of the 1950's. Once inside, it was a different story. I opened the door, the rest was a blur of gray hair and walkers as they jumped me.

I awoke hours later to find they had shaven off one of my eyebrows, had glued craft cotton to my head and worst... they painted every oil painting instruction I ever gave them onto my body. "If you can't get your lights any lighter, it means your darks aren't dark enough!" "Loosen up! Stop trying to draw with your brush!" "There are colors in shadows!"  What was worse was they somehow booted my car with one of their walkers and I had to walk home wearing my badge of shame.

Actually, it was a pretty nice time. I sat with the people I got along with the most and we chatted like nary a day had passed. I talked with the instructor who taught before I did and talked with the instructor who is there now. I know he's done some beautiful work, but he seems to have a Bob Ross streak in him... how to knock out a winter scene in 2 hours! It's not my cup of tea, but I'm sure most of the people in class love it. It's as it should be.

And speaking of as it should be... a snowstorm is on the way! We're due to get 8-14 inches tonight (add your filthbot comment here!). We've already got about 6 inches on the ground from Tuesday. They're saying we'll even have thunder snowstorms which dump 2 inches per hour. I. Love. Those!!! I'm psyched. All errands have been run. Christmas vacation is about to start. I say, BRING IT!!!

I'm almost as excited as the weathermen. Grizzled and I laugh at how jazzed the weather people get when something significant is on the way! It's like the office secretary getting to be boss for the day. Grizzled was asking if the weather guys were sporting wood yet for the ensuing storm. Yes... yes, I think they are. I can only imagine what they'll be like tonight.

I'll probably be giddy... although I get tired of it, I still love snow.

Yes!! It's another snow day, but there's still Project Runway!

Although the night held nothing more than Slurpees from heaven, today is filled with lots and lots and lots of wet, blowing snow.

It is, however, Project Runway night over at newcritics and neither rain nor snow nor dark of night will keep this person from her live-blogging rounds.

Bwoop! Bwoop!

We've had some freaky weather patterns lately. One day it's sub-zero and a day or two later, it's in the 40-50's. Last week our temps dropped over 60 degrees in one afternoon. We had a glorious snowfall on Thursday that came in just shy of a foot. We had more snow yesterday that was then followed with a huge thunderstorm. Walking in our backyard is like slogging through a giant Slurpee.

Well, apparently another snowstorm is on the way. We're slated for at least a foot. Tomorrow's painting class has already been canceled. There's yet another reason I still love snow!

Grizzled will probably be tempted to go skiing. He loves downhill. I, myself, was always a cross-country girl. Grizzled will be tempted, but I'm guessing he might know his limits... unlike some people. Oh what am I saying, if he had the skis and the access, he'd be right in that recovery room with the Skimmer comparing insurance war stories. 

I have two words....

Snow Day!!!!!!1!@!!!

Someone is grooving on the snow

We've got snow. We've got lots of snow. I'm loving it. I'll be singing a different song come late March/early April, but for now, I'm loving it. I'm not alone. Our poochiest of pooches is loving it as well.

Truman, aka Mr. Moose, aka Bruce, is the one dog Grizzled and I have had who you can't trust to stay. He (unless up at our place in WI) still needs to be on a leash or a chain. We have a 40 ft one for him in the backyard which we then hook up to his 10 ft leash. He has running and fetching room while on this contraption. I took him out yesterday to play fetch, I had his newest rubber squeaky ball and I threw it. He brought it back only to drop it and head off in the direction of a scent. He stuck his head deep down in the snow and plowed through the yard, back and forth. I thought he had caught the scent of a rabbit or a squirrel so I went inside for a moment. When I came out I found him lying on the patio with his nasty chewed up "Flail-a-Fowl". It was a cloth/rope toy that was kind of like a Frisbee for dogs. It had a cartoon chicken on it hence the "fowl" name. He loved that toy. He loved it so much he finally ripped out the rope and marked it in other ways I won't mention here. It had been left out in the yard to slowly rot. But... he found it, frozen solid, and in his eyes, good as new for throwing. I must admit, it was much easier to throw again.

It's gorgeous outside and for right now, we're loving the snow.

When life gives you snow in April...

...make snow bunnies.

Okay, I've had a little chat with the snow and we have mended our rift. It's overstayed its welcome, but I still love it and it has promised (again) that it won't stay for long.

I snarled at it, I rolled my eyes, but eventually, it had me outside frolicking in it. It's excellent packing snow after all. Who could resist.

... and I'm not certain, but I believe I heard the crazy strains of Lou Reed come wafting through the air.