More Snow!

 I measured another 3.5 inches of new snow this morning. But worse than that, the temperature when I first looked, at about 7 o'clock, was 14.2F. That was the overnight low, too. Actually, Tuesday night  had an overnight low of exactly the same, according to my thermometer. No, the thermometer isn't frozen or otherwise stuck in place - it has climbed to a toasty 22 degrees now! However, there is a howling north wind that is making it feel like zero or below. As I was cleaning off the deck at about 9 o'clock this morning (and it took some strong self-talk to convince my body to move from my recliner in the warm sunshine streaming through the living room window), I was thinking that this morning was the coldest, most uncomfortable morning I'd been out there all winter! The snow was stinging my face and literally flew off the deck as I stirred it with my shovel. Any experienced snow shoveler knows, you don't try to shovel snow into the wind. It's the same rule most of us learn early - don't spit into the wind.

It has been blowing steadily today, whipping snow off the roof and trees. The snow apparently came from the southeast; I noticed the trees facing that direction were pretty well loaded this morning. But apparently the wind direction shifted and now it's reversed and had blown most of that snow off the trees. The weather is more like mid-January than the end of March. Last night the swirling snow kept my motion-detecting light on the porch coming on. I used to jump out of bed to see what sort of animal was out there, but now that there's snow everywhere, I don't bother. I know it's probably swirling snow, and if not, I'll see the tracks in the morning. 

There was a very nice group at the library Tuesday night to hear about the West Danville history book. I wasn't sure what to expect. Patty and I went to the library in Waterford last spring and I think only two people came. Of course, Waterford folks aren't as familiar with West Danville and Joe's Pond as Cabot people are. However, Patty knew the folks who came, and that was nice. On Tuesday, I knew all but a couple of the seven who came - and of course I knew our librarian, Kathleen. It was very nice - just the right size group to engage in conversation. And that's what we did. The hour went by quickly, and for me, it was very enjoyable. We were in a very comfortable room with upholstered chairs and, of course, lots of books. Kathleen had set up a screen for a slide show I had prepared for, but there was enough conversation without pictures, so we didn't use that. There will be other authors presenting there in the coming weeks. A complete listing is on the library website, www.cabotlibrary.com There will be about two guest authors each month to talk about their books. This is a new series that Rebecca Wallick, of Cabot, initiated. Rebecca will be one of the speakers, talking about her book, Growing Up Boeing. I asked about that and she said it is about her father, who worked for many years for Boeing Aircraft. It is available on Amazon.com, or you can find it at the Cabot Public Library. If you haven't visited there, you should. You'll find it very welcoming.

As I sit here watching the snow blow, I'm reminded that Jamie (youngest son) told me this morning that he spotted a robin on West Shore Road yesterday. He said it looked a bit confused. There is no bare ground here except the road, and that's mainly mud. I suppose a mud worm could be lurking in one of the puddles in the many potholes that make up most of the road's surface right now, but it must be pretty slim pickings for robins here. It is encouraging, though. I heard a familiar bird song yesterday, but I couldn't quite place it - and by the time I got my phone into focus to identify it, the little critter had either left the area or had just stopped singing. I'm not sure what it was, but it sounded like spring to me! I'm used to hearing jays and chickadees, along with an occasional crow, but this one was different.

I leave you with some lovely spring photos from Liz Randall in Long Island. 

Thanks, Liz - these are a nice diversion from blowing snow this morning! My daffies are still under at least two feet of snow, and my young forsythia doesn't even show above the snow cover. It's in there somewhere, sensing spring, I hope, and will burst forth in a few weeks, I hope! First we need to see pussywillows. I'm watching, but haven't spotted them yet.