Let’s talk about the ecstasy first, shall we?
Often a special moment arrives each March. Since the snow melt started a couple of weeks ago we’ve been sinking in. You walk to the shed and your boot sinks in over ten inches. You pull your boot out and the other boot drops thirteen inches.
You slog, you slip, you falter, you fall. You may even curse. It’s not very fun to navigate in the melting snow.
But then arrives that special magical incredible awesome day… (It arrived yesterday in our neck of the woods.)
Yes, some of you know what happens when the temperatures rapidly drop below freezing. The snow magically hardens and just like Jesus was able to walk on water–we snow-dwellers can walk atop snow without sinking in!
Oh, it’s a happy day!
You can. Walk. In. Any. Direction.
You are literally FREE!
(I know you snowshoers and skiers are shaking your heads because you’ve been free all along and are pitying us boot-walkers.)
Some winters, of late, I’ve been too lazy to enjoy the March walk-on-snow-freeze. But not this year! I ran outside this morning into windy 13F (-10C) temps just to show you the delight and amazement of walking on snow.
See the above photo? These rotting stumps always remind me of Mesa Verde cliff dwelling homes for some reason. Has anyone else imagined this before?
The woods unfurl its mysteries everywhere. Bird tracks, deer tracks, maybe even coyote or wolf tracks. The above photo looked like coyote tracks, but the camera refused to cooperate and affirm.
I paused in cavorting to look back at our house. Noticed our firewood in the shed. We still have plenty to make it through this winter. More than enough. It will soon be time to start splitting next year’s firewood.
Now it’s time to talk about the perils of walking on snow.
I am going to show you something a bit embarrassing. Okay, it’s way embarrassing.
I showed it to the kids earlier this week, but never imagined the Universe would insist you see it, too.
Alas.
Remember how challenging it is to walk on snow–especially when it’s melting?
I was happily photographing frozen raindrops on branches Wednesday. Trying to capture the beauty. Not succeeding as well as hoped, but giving it the old college try.
When suddenly–I slipped in the snow and fell.
What happened was so funny. The camera actually WENT OFF and snapped a photo of me as I fell. (The camera turned itself into selfie-mode as I fell upon it, no kiddin’, can you believe this HAPPENED?)
I know, I know, some of you are tired of snow. Some of us snow-dwellers are, too. But this is our life. For now.
Hoping everyone stays on our feet this week–or at least can enjoy a laugh when and if we fall. (And it goes without saying—may we not hurt ourselves.)
Lake Superior Spirit 
I’m cracking up! And thinking OMG is she all right!?!? I liked that freezer snow too, however now I do not have great balance so I slip and slide and wrench things!
Oh dear, Elisa–I am sorry your balance is not what it used to be. The perils of us growing older, I think. But this fall was kinda funny!
Ooo and yes Mesa Verde
I’m glad you think so, too. You can almost see the tiny cliff dwellers living in that rotting stump.
Oh that made my day – that miracle-selfie – THANK YOU, it turned me from a very low spirit into hilarious giggling – THANK YOU for posting that photo ♥
YOU crack ME up, Leelah! So glad this made your day from blue to giggling. Guess that’s why the Universe insisted the picture me shown, embarrassed or not. 🙂
Oh my! I see the perils, am not as thrilled with what you call ecstasy. In these elderly (really I’m just plain old) years, slippery reads as danger. Am thankful your injury was only your pride.
You are so wise to be careful of falling, Carol. Especially on hard surfaces. My mom fell down in Florida a few years ago and suffered with knee problems for months afterwards. What I like about falling on snow (if there’s something to like) is that mostly it’s deep and cushiony. The ecstasy part (for me) comes because the hard upper crust isn’t slippery and there’s the relief of not worrying about falling or sinking in. May we all stay safe!
Glad you didn’t hurt yourself when you toppled over, Kathy — falling into snow is way different from falling on concrete, isn’t it?? Don’t worry, you, too, will get Spring one day (I keep reminding myself of this as well — we don’t have snow, but it’s been brr-cold!!)
Debbie, just the thought of falling of concrete makes me shudder. Not fun at all–and could have grave consequences. Snow is (usually) much more forgiving! Thanks for the reminder that Spring will arrive. May warmth come all our way soon.
That’s just funny! And I apologize for laughing at your misfortune. May you continue to walk on snow until it’s completely gone. XOXO
You can laugh, Stacy. It was kind of funny! It was just so darn unexpected. One minute photographing ice droplets and the next…falling to the earth with a horrified expression. Can you believe the camera went off??!!
It was a moment that the universe wanted to capture for all time. 😀
That’s true, lol!
What a hoot Kathy ⛄️⛄️
It was so funny, Val! 🙂
I’m laughing out loud. Is that wrong? As a fellow boot-walker I understand how you took a tumble. Your selfie is priceless.
Ally Bean, it was hysterical! At first I was so embarrassed about that picture, but what the heck. It could all have been a lot worse!
Such a funny selfie! (I’m glad you weren’t hurt.) And perfectly composed. 😊 It’s 27° here this morning, but no snow on the ground left to freeze. I’ve never been to Mesa Verde and have never seen a stump quite like yours, either. How interesting! Looks like you have a few birds enjoying their walks on the snow, too.
It is so funny, Barbara. As Carol pointed out–only my pride was hurt. Who would have thunk a camera could turn on a person like that? Barbara, you have me wondering what kind of stump it is. Poplar? Maple? I must remember to ask Barry, he sometimes knows more about wood than I do.
I have not experienced snow so I can only imagine it as you tell it. Walking in snow sounds fun, and challenging. Love your mention of tracks – it is so cool!
I hope you get to experience snow one of these days. Germany gets snow, doesn’t it? Glad you liked the tracks!
I know it’s wrong to laugh except you did share it and you are okay so we are allowed! That is priceless! You could not have planned that if you had tried!
I really do love winter… and I really am done with it now… 🙂
Dale, it is totally allowed! I am still laughing when glimpsing that picture. When I walk to the mailbox you can see where the fall happened—it’s all melted away 8n that one spot. May winter end now, Amen! 😁
Now I am picturing the “scene of the crime”… LOL!
Sorry I laughed
Bright Blessings
Maybe we all need a little laughter these days!
You are not wrong there.
x
I meant to comment when I first read this. And then life and husband interrupted. I’m glad you’re OK, it’s amazing that the camera got that shot!! I bet you are so tired of snow. We are here, and we don’t have any left on the ground. Though we got a little bit this week. I’ve been thinking about you and Barry and his dad. Such a loss. I’m sure I had more specific comments when I originally planned to comment…but…ah well.
Dawn, I do know how life can change direction, that’s for sure. It was indeed so funny when the camera caught that fall! And, yes, I’m tired of snow. April will be melting/mud month up here in the UP, as you can probably well remember. We were just saying this morning we can’t believe it’s only been two weeks since Barry’s dad passed away. In some ways it feels much longer. But that’s probably because all this started mid-February. It’s made it a long winter. Thank you for thinking of us.
Ha! Best selfie ever! Funny how you and Barbara both have interesting stump photos this week. Stumps… not something I contemplate very often, but obviously worthy. 🙂 Hoping you get some signs of spring soon.
Anna–the kind of selfie you think twice whether you should show in public! LOL. Yes, Barbara and I have been on a stump theme this week. Be sure to post if you see any interesting ones of your own. *big smile*
We don’t have enough snow to have a time of year when you can start to walk on it (or to sink into it usually) so it’s really interesting to read about this. Hope you didn’t have any lasting effects from your fall!
I’m glad this was interesting, Andrea. I had zero effects from this fall at all–but unfortunately stubbed my toe this morning. That may have more lasting repercussions, darn it. (Does this imply that klutziness is happening? Yikes!)