We have had our first snow of the winter. (Yes, I know winter hasn’t technically begun, but, like many, I have always thought of winter as beginning right after Thanksgiving, even though I know better.)
Bear Valley Springs has been a winter wonderland for the last few days. We have had just enough snow to be picturesque, but not so much that the snow plows are totally overwhelmed. Since we are on the valley floor and on the main road, the snow plow is here early and we aren’t snowed in.
With several inches of snow having fallen over the last three days, I have been saying it’s a winter wonderland and it’s a wonder that I am living here. Funny about the resolutions we make, isn’t it? After one visit to New York City at Christmas time and an ill-advised youthful adventure that took me to a part of the Rocky Mountains far too close to the Canadian border, I had sworn never again to spend time north of the Mason-Dixon line. After all, as a Texan first (and that would be central Texas where snow is something you see every decade or so) and then a southern Californian, I am not built for cold weather. Of course, I will survive and I must admit that I find Bear Valleys Springs' winter attire quite fetching. I want to be taking photographs every minute. Alas, life interferes.
I did get a few other things accomplished besides taking photos of snow scenes. Thanks to the weather, I was able to draft The Husband for an indoor project. We placed some things up on the ledge in our living room. Our house is relatively new and the main living area has one of those graduated ceilings with a ledge at the higher end. While they are meant for decorating. I think they are best for collecting dust that I, for one, couldn’t possibly get to.
Now, this shouldn’t imply in any way that I am constantly on the lookout for any speck of dust in this house. Oh, if only ‘twere true. I’m simply observing that on those occasions when I am moved to dust, I couldn’t get to this ledge as it is about ten feet from the ground, and I don’t do extension ladders. I think I have a very good reason for my aversion to step ladders with my history of broken bones and mild fear of heights.
Besides, fortunately for me, The Husband shares none of my limitations. Thus, after venturing into our cold storage vault (that would be the garage) we dragged tons of stuff inside, separated it into piles on the floor and proceeded to decorate. I have been calling what we did ranching up the place. (Our house in Shadow Hills had a bit of a cottage feel what with all the trees, bushes, birds, and hummingbirds just outside large windows and sliding glass doors. Now, the look that felt so perfect for that house seems quite out of place in this house and on this place of land. Since we can’t possibly afford new furniture and new accessories, it’s time to improvise and create some new combinations of things we have. Goodness knows that with our garage stuffed nearly ceiling high we have plenty of stuff. I imagine this process will continue for rather a long time, since I have such trouble putting down the camera and getting away from the computer.
Well, consider me one of those folks who is going to stay in the south! Chains! Yikes! I've never used chains in my life. I've taken the boys skiing in New Mexico and chains were required for 2-wheel drive vehicles, but we were lucky to go up during a warm spell and we didn't have to use chains, but I gotta tell you, that mountain grade and small patches of ice gave me lots of things to think about!
ReplyDeleteSo, for me, I'll stay here in the nice, warm south and enjoy the occasional 1/2 day of snow and 300+ days of sunshine! It's a tough life here in the south!
I lived in Ohio from birth until age 22. Snow is blast when your a little kid, but it becomes a pain when you have to drive in it! LOL!
Paul - I couldn't agree with you more. Hence the resolution that I stuck with for all those decades. However, marriage is about compromise and this one was a big one for me. Chains will be a brand new experience for me, as well.
ReplyDeleteOh well, life is about trying new things—up to a point, and I suppose I will find the good in this. It helps that being retired, I can last for days without getting out on the roads if I need be. We just need to stay stocked up on "vittles" and those pesky prescriptions so we won't have to venture out of the valley on snow days.
I hear you about the compromises. I see a beach in my future. Personally, I would not like to live at the beach. I'm more of mountain boy at heart. If I didn't have to 'deal with it', I could live in a valley, as long as all I had to do was get up and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteMy wife, on the other hand, loves the sand, the sun, and the water. I am no fan, at all, of humidity, but it brings her so much happiness and peace, so I'm all for it. It brings a huge smile to my face to see her relaxed liked that, so I would live near the beach ... which, interestingly enough, is what I'm doing now. :-)
Perhaps this job in Charleston is a precursor, or training session for me on how to deal with coastal weather. Hmmmmm?
Paul - I don't know how I "lost" this message. Probably because I have been mesmerized by the snow here!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea that your job in Charleston is a warm-up for you and a life at the beach. Is this experience making the prospect a little more palatable?
I agree about humidity. And, it is a particular joy to see one's mate with that contented smile. The Husband is blissfully happy here and that makes me happy. But, dang, it's cold.