The last three weeks I have been mending a broken toe while watching snow fall and melt, fall and melt. Since my mobility was rather limited in the first couple of weeks the day’s highlight often occurred during a daily limp to the mailbox.
It’s been one of the coldest longest Aprils we can remember. While other bloggers happily posted photos of phlox and daffodils–all I could take pictures of was snow and disappearing snow.
When would spring arrive in the Upper Peninsula? And would this broken toe heal before or after?
Snow dumped upon us on April 9th–nine lovely pristine white inches. We sighed. It often snows here in April, but luckily it tends to melt quickly. Once upon a time we even saw 90 degrees during this intrepid month.
I decided to document the melt with photographs. You know how some people take exactly the same picture at different times of year to illustrate changes in seasons? I would capture the snow melting.
Every day while doddering to the mailbox for junk mail from Medicare supplemental insurances the camera recorded the scene of the crime.
See the photos above and below? This happened several times. The driveway revealed itself as gravel, then dusted itself with snow.
Much of the snow you see comes from plowed banks created during the long winter.
I hope you’re not getting bored looking at these pictures. But if you are–perhaps you’ll feel our April weariness as snow decorated the landscape and melted away. Again and again.
As my toe slowly healed.
Can you see our little house nestled in cozily among the trees?
Yesterday–April 24th–was a luscious 75 degree day! I walked TWO miles during the course of the day. The foot hurts sometimes, but hardly at all. Barry thinks I’m a slow poke, but that’s okay. Slow but steady wins the healing race.
While wildflowers have not yet decided to appear–I’d say our spring is finally arriving, wouldn’t you?
Lake Superior Spirit 
No, Kathy, I never tire of your landscapes – ever changing and ever calming. I hope you continue to heal. Nothing wrong with a body taking its time. XOXO
Oh I’m glad to hear that Stacy. “ever changing and calming”. Thank you my friend!
❤
Absolutely about time! From one who invariably gets cabin fever in February, April snows make me crazy. And grumpy.
You guys have had some April snow out there this year too, haven’t you?
There’s been a little bit on the hills around us, but down here in the “lowlands” we’ve been spared.
Lucky you! Our daughter had some up in Portland.
I saw that on the news. They were right in the storm path whereas we’re further east.
I especially like the picture of the foamy snow bubbles! I hope your toe heals completely very soon 🦶💝
Thank you, Jodi! That was my favorite picture as well. Ms. Toe thanks you for your blessing. ❤
One of the many things to love about you is your indomitable spirit. No matter what’s going on in your life, broken toe included, you find a creative outlet; you practically insist on it. Your creative mind is a wonder. Love the recording of the meltings and the re-coverings. Thinking that’s how we humans are, or can be … melting into love, and then pulling back under our “coverings” the next day. Thank you for this today, Thank you for you!
Susan, I am going to remember to re-read your comment when I’m having a sad or uninspired day–thank you very much! I am glad you liked this post and then even made a metaphor for our human melting and then covering. Love you and thank you for YOU!
I know we’ve had colder and grayer than normal April days, but no snow. You win on that point. The butterfly is beautiful. I hope your toe is feeling dandy so that you can get the spring back in your step.
Gosh, Ally Bean, I’m not sure our snow is a “win”, lol! Isn’t that butterfly gorgeous? We were wondering if it was a moth or butterfly and Google provided its name. Handy Google! And I love your blessing “spring back in your step”. Good one. 🙂
It sure looks promising, Kathy! I love your photo sequence, and can relate to it completely!
Cindy, I’m sure you can relate to it 100%. Do you still have some piles of snow on Beaver Island or have they all melted?
Many big piles around the edges of my yard just finally melted completely away today. Little bit are visible in the woods, yet, but mostly gone now. By the way, I’m so glad your toe is doing better!
Thank you, Cindy!
I’m never bored looking at pictures of the UP! I’ve always wanted to live in a house where the driveway winds through the woods and you’re hidden from the road. I know, it can get sort of isolating but spring is bound to show up sooner or later!
Thank you, Dawn, and glad you weren’t bored. It is really cool living in a place nestled in the woods beyond the road–but you’re also right that it can feel isolating at times. It was so gorgeous yesterday when it was so warm. But guess what it is today? Back in the 30’s. Oh, Michigan, make up your mind!
It’s cold again down here today too…but I still have my memories of the warm weekend to keep me happy.
It’s snowing here–again–this morning. Cest la vie!
No, Kathy, I don’t ever tire of your photos — in fact, they make me appreciate Central Illinois because at least it’s starting to look more like Spring here! I love your home tucked away in the woods and wonder if nestling away in something like that might ease my writer’s block (or whatever it is that’s stopping me from writing the way I need to be). Hang in there — Spring will show up for you, too — and congrats on the healing progress!
I’ll bet it’s beautiful down where you live, Debbie. You’re lucky spring comes in April rather than May… I hope you find a way to nudge your writing to share what makes your heart sing these days. Blessings!
I enjoys your photos too. They are very alive, I think . they’re having an inner something that is feelable. I am so sad for your broken toe. Has it been good for something, though? any strange or funny incident that would not have happened were it not for that toe? Well, I’ll bow down and blow kindly on it right now. Much love to you always, Kathy Grape
Hello, Leelah and thank you so much. I am glad you can feel the aliveness in the pictures. You are so very right that the broken toe has been good for so much and thank you for that reminder. It has helped in mindfulness practices and slowing down to learn so much in my life at this time. That is the gift of even challenging things, right? There’s a silver lining hidden within so many things. xoxo
A butterfly and pussy willows? Yes, I’d say spring has finally arrived! I’m glad to hear your broken toe is on the mend and coming right along with the improving weather. Love the picture of your little house and the very long driveway. Fetching the mail is good exercise but it must be a job keeping that driveway plowed storm after storm…
I like your assessment, Barbara! When Barry read your comment he said, “She gets what it’s like.” (Then he wanted to know who you were again. He sometimes tries to keep all the bloggers and commenters in mind.) It is a big job but it does feel so cozy nestled in the woods.
Yikes!!! April 24th with snow piles still present? Yuk! But I can confirm your inkling that spring has sprung for the Uppers. Bummer on the toe – but at least it’s improving and it is no longer holding you down.
We should be used to it by now, Frank. And mostly we are–but this has been a particularly long winter. It’s snowing again this morning. Lots of people in our area go hang out on a beach or in a warmer clime during the winter months. They’re probably wishing they stayed down in Florida or Arizona a little longer.
Yes, I would say that spring looks as if it has finally arrived. Yeah!
I love that you creatively documented the snowmelt along your road while you managed
to exercise and heal your toe as well as your spirit.
Jeff, thank you so much. Creativity can help so much during the long winter months here. And the toe-breaking incident has caused so much slowing down and an increased ability for Presence. It seems so many challenges have silver linings that can teach us so much when we stay open to learning. I know you think like this too!
Stunning photos, as always. Hope you’re well healed now.
Thank you so much. I would say the toe is at least 85% healed!
i’d say watching snow melt seems much more reasonable than watching paint dry
So interesting that you would say this, Ken, because we spent last week painting our bedroom and watching paint dry!
Love the snowy photos Kathy, we didn’t get any snow over winter. Each year it gets less and less as the climate changes.
Bright Blessings
Do you miss the snow, Tilly? I may have asked you that before. Sad to see so many climate changes. We actually get a lot less snow than we used to.
Yes Kathy I do miss the snow, for as old as I am I love to play in the snow and build snowmen
I’d love to say spring is arriving here but I think I’d jinx it! We’re still fairly cold for end of April. Glad to hear you’re on the mend! You’ll heal just in time to take those lovely spring walks . . .
So many places are colder than usual this April. May we all get warmer weather and enjoy delicious spring walks soon. 🙂
Thank you for this update with your light touch and humerous acceptance. The butterfly is a lovely capture and reminder of transformation 💕🙏💕
Val, seeing a butterfly in spring is a wonderful reminder of transformation indeed! 💗
April in the mid-South has been tornados and thunderstorms. I hope you make a speedy recovery!
May you stay safe from tornados, Lunar. It seems like every region has its challenges. Working on that recovery now!
Well, our spring sounds like yours minus the 70 degree temps! And no butterflies…. Today, more snow plus 50 mile an hour winds. (Sigh) Though this weather isn’t at all unusual for us, I forget every spring that winter won’t release its hold until maybe the end of May. The good news is that your break is healing. I like the photos which look suspiciously like mine.
Barb, your winters last even longer than ours. Snow plus 50 mph winds sounds daunting! Hope you spot a butterfly sooner than later.
Hang in there! The toe will heal, the snow will melt!
Thank you, Alanna!
When we first moved to New England from the SF Bay area, my guy was super excited after our first winter to garden. He dug in tomato plants on May 10, even though everyone told him “That’s too early.” How could it be too early, he thought. It’s MAY. Two days after he planted, snow flurries fell from the sky. We raced around the house finally finding those red plastic drinking cups (yes, back then we bought ’em, not now). He placed a red cup upside down on each plant to “save” them from the cold and snow. It worked! But from then on, the tomatoes were planted the last week of May.
So, I hope you’re spring has sprung, but one never knows.
Good news is that your toe is healing!!! xo
Hey there my friend. Yep, we’ve been there and done that about planting too early and then running around trying to cover and save everything. June 10th is the day around here when it’s–almost–safe to plant. My question is: how in the world do you drive in New Jersey? It’s NUTS driving out there!! (We just got back from visiting Chris and his wife.)
Yes, horrible drive from Boston to NJ and DE on those highways. We pray a lot and listen to 60s music, singing out loud to help the stress. 🙂
I remember you talking about driving through New Jersey (maybe to see your mom?) a while ago. I like your ideas to keep you sane!