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Photo: Ileana Johnso |
We finally
got five inches of winter in one day, on the second day of spring, March 21,
2018. A few powdery flakes in December dashed our hope for a white
Christmas. This was a heavy snow which could
easily turn to slush and then refreeze. The Hawk was blowing slightly but the
snow did not scatter like powder in all directions.
We tried to
go to our local park but it was closed. Two menacing park rangers, high on
their minion power to control admission to nature, told us in threatening
voices that the park is closed and we should leave. The fact that we were on
state roads paid by us as taxpayers of Virginia, seemed to escape the tiny
brains of these control freaks. But, in the name of peace and tranquility, we
turned around without saying a word.
We decided
that we could trudge our way into the park through our own back yard before we
got too wet to care about nature and its breathtaking beauty.
Photo: Ileana Johnson
The snow was
coming down fast covering the landscape in a winter wonderland, to the delight
of children in the neighborhood who brought out their sleighs to slide down the
many hills around. For the first time ever, I-95 N was completely empty of traffic,
only a few south-bound vehicles.
Trucks with
ploughs attached were busy clearing main roads and highways while many streets
remained covered in a silent white blanket.
Photo: Ileana Johnson
Our resident
fox surprised me as she dashed across the back yard, running swiftly into the
woods in search for food. She has become the object of concern of many
neighborhood newbies who are worried about their pets. They don’t know that the
fox has a taste for squirrels but in a bind, she might steal other critters.
Grazing under the snow
Photo: Ileana Johnson
The snow is
coming heavier and the flakes are dancing in the crisp air. It has collected
five inches so far; it’s a heavy snow that would sting painfully in a snowball
fight. A few children on our street have
brought out their toboggans and are squealing with delight as they wipe out at
the bottom of the hill into the white blanket. A few are trying to build
snowmen but the snow is too heavy and they give up, making snow angels instead.
Photo: Ileana Johnson
We walked to
the river bank and, before I had a chance to snap a few shots of the wooden
path covered with untouched whiteness, a yellow lab bounded out of the woods
sliding on the wet snow. She seemed to be in sledding dog heaven, jumping and running
in and out of bushes laden with snowy cotton balls that fell to the ground in a
white flurry, covering her with shimmering flakes.
Photo: Ileana Johnson 2018
The red
cardinals made a stark contrast to the overwhelming brightness – like a jumping
feathery stain of blood. A family of deer is foraging at the edge of the park,
their heads disappearing in the snow.
We laughed when
we caught sight of the marina’s plastic bald eagle nest. We really thought it to
be real several years ago when we got five feet of snow and it was much harder
to make out shapes accurately in the total whiteout.
Photo: Ileana Johnson
The falling snow
gives the Potomac River an enchanted glow that only an artist could imagine and
paint with his magical pallet and brushes. The barren branches are covered in
lacy white designs shooting up to the grey sky. The railroad bridge is cast in
the distance in a wintry fog.
A few ducks
are slowly gliding on the curiously grey water and birds are chirping in the
trees. Yesterday they were ready for spring, preparing their nests and building
new ones, the Japanese magnolia was on the verge of opening exquisite pink
blooms, and today winter is back, as if it is quarreling with spring and keeps
coming back to make one last point before final departure.
Snow is
still falling, a myriad of flakes dancing in the air, dancing in my heart,
falling on my hair and on my face. Like the kid I used to be, I stuck my tongue
out to capture the magic of snow falling from the sky. There is nowhere I would
rather be at this moment when I experience the happiness of my childhood
winters, carefree and innocent, enjoying life and God’s seasons. It is a dreamy
snow, a March snow that appears suddenly like a roaring lion and melts the next
day like a lamb, one that will be gone tomorrow, but the memory will linger in
my mind’s eyes, my videos, and my photographs.
Just a beautiful story and it brings back memories of the first snow when I lived up north.
ReplyDeleteThank you
You are welcome, Rosetta Bailey!
DeleteI love snow, but I love the Florida sunshine better now. Glad you are enjoying the winter in spring.
ReplyDeleteI love the Florida sunshine too, but my hubby loves four seasons, including snow, Bill. I would have moved to Florida long time ago. I adore the ocean even though I stepped on a stingray and got stung by its painful tail.
Delete