More snow observations, and a brief spam rant
First, to get it out of the way — 34 f**king spam comments in my Akismet queue? You’ve got to be kidding me. And it wasn’t even the usual stupid “thank you for your site!” spams I get in old posts, but the other type of spam, which is gibberish. I don’t understand the purpose of that kind of spam. Is it actually some secret alien language and they are using comment threads on Earth’s internet to hide their plans to conquer us all? Well I wish they’d hurry up and conquer us already, then. I’m ready to serve my new alien overlords — the reptilian ones that currently run the planet aren’t doing the greatest job.
And on to the snow! It was mostly sunny today and a bit warmer, but so much snow fell here that most of it is still unmelted. Everything looks like someone dumped a giant box of powdered sugar on everything. I don’t know why I didn’t crave vanilla ice cream all day, or a can of white icing, but it probably has something to do with the fact that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.
Also: new snow is so fluffy and soft! And cold and ultimately wet. But still, I had to stifle the urge today to run out and bury my face in the snow covering the back yard of this house. Yesterday I had to go out (walking) a couple of times, and as it was snowing all day I felt like I was walking through the aftermath of a pillow fight. Flakes would fly in my face and it was like getting hit by little cold feathers that melted right away. Today my friend had to go into Charlottesville so I went along. Snow was thick in the valley, and on this side of the mountains, until we got to a spot along the interstate where it seemed hardly any snow fell, so there was still green grass. In Charlottesville itself there was snow, but somewhat less, or maybe it had melted faster. But in Staunton we got tons of snow, or so it seems to me, the snow-neophyte.
One thing I didn’t understand, though: I didn’t see any kids out playing in the snow, not all day. I saw one snowman, and he had half-melted and was falling over. If I’d been a kid (or if I hadn’t had to do anything today) I’d have been outside playing in the snow. Maybe I just didn’t pass through any kid-heavy neighborhoods today. But I expected to see kids outside playing. Is that just my inexperience talking? Is playing in the snow not done anymore?
By JeffS on Dec 7th, 2009 at 2:23 am
What, no snow angels? ;-p
It’s still done, Andrea, but usually when the kids have enough time. Coming home from school (where they probably played in the snow already), doing stuff around the house, and then running outside….might be dark by then. Expect more snow play on the weekends.
Besides……isn’t snow an annual event thereabouts? If so, it’s not exactly ho hum, but people could be used to it, and are patient about playing in it. Growing up where I did, snow fall was a rare event. When it came, we played hard.
And, IIRC, fresh snow is fun to cavort in, but it isn’t too good for building and playing in; it needs to settle some first.
But do enjoy it!
By kae on Dec 7th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Hi!
Snow really is amazing, isn’t it! How it floats… and is carried by the breeze.
I have only ever seen snow falling once and that was on a lightning trip to Canberra with a friend’s son. He was bored with Canberra and, being from West Coast Australia had never having seen snow in his life, ever, the sky was full of puffy, fluffy, white clouds. I told him they were snow clouds. The day was warm and it was late, we should have been heading north to Sydney, a few hours away. I asked him if he’d like to see snow (knowing his father probably wouldn’t think of taking him to the snow), and his reply was “Shit hot!”. We zoomed down to the NSW snowfields, he saw snow, and before we left, just before dark, it snowed. He was rapt! I got him home before midnight (this was before mobile phones, too!).
By kc on Dec 7th, 2009 at 9:24 am
There were no children out because today’s mothers seem to believe a bit of cold and wet will kill their offspring OR they don’t have time to supervise the little darlin’s every move, and we can’t have them playing outside in the snow with ALL those MILLIONS of child-nappers out that are stalking every neighborhood in the WHOLE United States.
Besides, what kid who is addicted to Hannah Montana and Transformers is EVER going to wear the uncool clothing that keeps you warm and dry in such conditions!
Personally, I miss it. SO glad you’re having fun!
By SPQR on Dec 7th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Kids who want to play in the snow today use a Snow Play Wii ™.
By JP Gibb on Dec 7th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
The Xbox 360 version has better graphics. ;-p