March 07, 2010

Golden

Maybe you have to live in Snowstorm Region and drive every day on icy, snow-covered roads to appreciate how exciting it is in March when the snow begins to melt.

When I ran errands today, I left my mittens on the front seat of the car. I didn’t need them. When a friend called on my cell phone, I decided to return her call from the parking lot outside the store where I’d been buying pajamas for my mother-in-law. The sun struck the windshield, filling my car with warmth while we talked. I drove from the town where I live now to the town where my husband grew up, ten miles or so, without once worrying that my car would skid on ice or go spinning into a guard rail. Dry pavement is a wonderful thing.

I’ve still got banks of snow along my driveway, and I can’t see the grass on my front lawn, but the snow drifted against my front porch has the soft, tired look of spring snow, and the stones in my driveway are visible.

It’s not just the dry pavement, but the light that’s different this time of year. The dried grasses, the cattails, and the phragmites turn gold as the sun shines through trees that don’t yet have any foliage. Sun bounces off the metal mailboxes that have been tilted by snowplows, the pebbles that have been coated with salt and pushed to the shoulders, and the bare limbs of trees that are patiently waiting for spring.

Dry pavement

10 comments:

Seeking Solace said...

it is truly a sign that the heinousness is almost over. Don't forget that it can still snow in March and April :)

We are about 10 weeks ahead in my new neck of the woods. It's amazing to see buds on the trees already.

jo(e) said...

Oh, I know. We often get big snowstorms in March ... and even in April. But still, it's different. We know it will melt fast.

~profgrrrrl~ said...

Oh, how this brings back memories.

susan said...

I was just thinking this morning how magic this time of year feels--the sap is running, and there's just so much energy just ready to burst out (look at the kids so happy on their bikes for the first time in months).

At the same time, I've still got my skis out and am looking forward to a nice nordic ski run on Wednesday with a friend. There's still great snow up in the mountains, but down here by the lake spring is starting (at least until another little snow comes through--but as you say, we know it'll melt quickly).

Magic.

Lorianne said...

We haven't gotten much snow here in New England this year, so the ground has been bare (or almost bare) for a while. Still, the magic these days has been in wearing SHOES rather than BOOTS. By this time of year, I'm usually sick to death of clomping around in hiking boots everywhere. Simply baring my ankles feels decadent and "springy."

landismom said...

It's very exciting, the onset of spring this year. I was beginning to think it would never come.

Artist Friend said...

The sap is running! I got 20 gallons of sap from 8 maple trees in a day and a half, and spent all day Sunday tending a fire and boiling it down to 30 ounces of precious syrup. I like this time of year too.

jo(e) said...

Artist Friend: Are you going to bring me some maple syrup when I see you in Denver? You can bring 3.4 ounces on the plane. We can get pancakes somewhere ....

AF said...

Yeah, i'll bring you some. I actually had some put aside for you, but it was in a spice jar that had had oregano in it. The syrup ended up smelling like oregano. I had it for breakfast. I'll find a more secure container.

Unknown said...

totally gorgeous shot.