The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway...

While the kids and I were in West Virginia celebrating Mom's birthday last week, we got hit by a surprise snowstorm which brought about 11" of snow.  What was amazing was that as of 36 hours before the snow, the forecast had been "clear and sunny."  Ha!  What was supposed to be a 3-day trip turned into a 6-day snow-in.

I have always been one who loves a good snow.  

I must admit that after transplanting to the South,  I've missed winter.  Granted, it's scary to drive in snow and ice.  And pipes freeze.  And people get cabin fever.  But I love how quiet it gets outside as snow falls, I love the thrill of boots crunching in a freshly-fallen drift, and I LOVE breaking-out my camera and taking pictures in the wintertime.   And I have to ask you:  If we don't have winter, then can we truly enjoy springtime???  I THINK NOT!

Above is a picture of Mom and Dad's driveway after about 8" of snow had fallen.  And somewhere in the picture below was their street!  My parents live at the top of a steep hill that gets treacherous in the winter, and one is at the mercy of the city's road-clearing crew during storms such as this.  My little mini van is comfy and roomy to travel in and she gets great gas mileage...but she is not great on a snowy hill.  So she was parked from Friday evening when I arrived until Thursday morning when I left.

 Below, me and my mom.  :)

 Christopher learned the manly art of shoveling snow during this storm.

 My dad, on the other hand, relied on his leaf blower to clear the path.  This particular snow was very light and dry and its type is often referred to as "ski snow" because it's similar to what ski resorts make.  The bad part is that you can't build snowmen or make snowballs with "ski snow."  But the perk is that there is little concern over downed power lines and it's easy to clear.

 I love photographing wildlife during winter snows, such as these birds at Mom and Dad's feeder.  This HUGE birdfeeder has to be refilled once a day because so many birds eat from it all the time.  The birds that come are all different varieties and colors.  It's quite beautiful and relaxing to watch!

 And the other wildlife that was enjoyable to watch was this squirrel.  Mom was on the computer when this little guy parked himself on her deck right outside the window.  He just sat there.  And watched her.  And watched her.  Until Mom and I figured-out that he was waiting for her to bring him something to eat.  Which she did.  A hamburger bun.  This type of thing apparently happens quite often with my mom, whom Tim and I have nicknamed "The Deer/Bird/Squirrel Whisperer."

But Mom and Dad's dog, Zoe, who was shorter than the snow, would NOT be categorized as "wildlife."  Zoe is much happier in the recliner than in the elements.  The picture below illustrates why shih-tzus don't run the Iditarod...

Winter is the king of showmen,
Turning tree stumps into snowmen
And houses into birthday cakes
And spreading sugar over lakes.
Smooth and clean and frosty white,
The world looks good enough to bite.
That's the season to be young,
Catching snowflakes on your tongue.
Snow is snowy when it's snowing,
I'm sorry it's slushy when it's going.
-Ogden Nash

You can't get too much winter in the winter.

-Robert Frost