Harumph
I love snow. Really. I know it makes getting around difficult. So what. At this point in time, the only thing that can literally stop us in our tracks is foul weather, and I'm all for it. But in the case of snow, there is an unmatched beauty. A sense of calm. People are nicer to one another, not in a shared misery kind of way, but a more buoyant spirit, genuine camaraderie.
Thus far, the winter of 2007/2008 has been very disappointing in the New York Metropolitan Area. It is the first time since the 1930s that we have not had but a trace of snow during the month of January. According to NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) Central Park has kept weather records for 134 years. The average annual snowfall is reported to be 28.4 inches with 7.5 in January, 8.5 in February, 5 in March, 1 in April and November and 5.5 in December. So far, we have had a trace in November, December and January. Only once, maybe twice did grassy surfaces look white. The plows have stayed safely parked. Stockpiles of salt and sand relatively untouched. No overtime for the local sanitation crews, that's for sure.
We Gothamites, whether we admit it or not, need snow. Sure, there are plenty who will complain about it...my back, the cold, the inconvenience....blah, blah, blah. But we move at the speed of light in this town. Anything, barring mass destruction, that can slow us down is a good thing. Anything that can make just a percentage of us stop and admire beauty for its own sake, smile openly at one another, take a day off cannot be bad. It is required for a healthy soul. Watching snow fall in the evening is particularly beautiful, turning the sky a gorgeous shade of periwinkle. Sunrise over a snowy street is breathtaking. The sound of children shrieking and giggling as they sail down a snowy hillside is sheer joy.
A good snowfall. Yep, that's what we need. It gives us the opportunity to reconnect with each other, and our natural world, even in the Concrete Canyons of this great City. For those of you in parts of the country that have been inundated with snow this year, send some this way, will ya?
r.
10 comments:
You can have all of the white crap from MinneSNOWta that you can handle! I'm looking forward to some serious melting! We've had such meager winters lately that this regular year is driving us batty!
Well, Jess, all things in moderation, I guess :)
I think snow makes everything look like a pretty picture.
It feels cold enough to snow here today, so who knows? If it does, I'll send some your way!
i'm glad you find such pleasure in it--someone has to..
:))
I'm watching yet another snowstorm right now through the window, and while it's beautiful, I'm dreading the drive tomorrow morning. Utah snow is the best snow on earth, though, and the sun will be out to make it look like diamonds have been sprinkled from heaven. It's lovely.
bitter cold temps are no fun without snow in sight, even in New York City where snow turns into this pile of gray slush sprinkled with cigarette butts in a matter of minutes. ahh...i heart new york :)
You know, it USED to snow even down here in Virginia. Sigh.
Shoveling snow can make one (me) yell at husband though! :)
Was supposed to have TONS of snow last week, but the front had some kind of bi-polar disorder and went all weak on me.
Oh well. We got a two-hour delay instead.
I'd send some your way, but usually in February we get a bundle...
It does just slow you down. I like that too, plus yard work isn't my favorite, so any excuse to stay inside.
Still nary a flake in sight. It squalled yesterday for about 10 minutes. Pretty out the window, but every flake melted. blech.
Marty, I imagine your snow is just magic. So wrong to envy, so hard not to...
I'll help you shovel, MotherHen. That way you don't have to yell :)
ECD, I've been in VA in the snow. sigh...
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