because several dozen birds have taken refuge from the snow under each of them.
Here, in the heart of the storm, I offer a report without streaming video, screen inserts that block the map of my state, and shrill voices that try to infuse panic and wonder not through careful recitation of fact, but through inflection alone.
Our Old People's Downsizing Project led us to the border between Virginia and North Carolina, on a very large lake. Fifty miles north we became quite used to the occasional snow or ice storm. But, one of the reasons we chose to renovate our cabin for permanent living was the knowledge that there is very little in the way of severe weather, here. Hubby HATES winter!
Well, I am looking out my cabin window at more than a foot of snow, and more on the way.
It started promptly at 10:00pm last night, just as NOAA had promised. A few tiny flakes, blowing in the light from the porch. And, it never really picked up steam. None of those huge flakes, drifting lazily down, or hurling themselves at the window. Just a fine, granular powder. But, as the hours passed, it began to build.
I watched, first as the deck rail picked up a half inch. Then as the deck surface began to fill in.
Every passing gust blew the accumulation away, the tiny particles of water just too small and light to hold their own.
"No power outages this time," I thought, "There is no weight to this snow. No fight. No sticking power."
I retired around 1:30am, profoundly disappointed. I wanted to see that 19 inches they promised me. It would be the first real snow fall I had seen since leaving Tahoe.
I got up around 4:30am to let the dogs out.
For goodness sake!
There was around 6 inches of snow on the deck.
I went back to bed to grab a couple more hours sleep and was awakened around 8:30am by the profound silence. The tiny little flakes of powder had done their work!! A foot on the ground, snowing hard, and piling up. I might not get my 19 inches but it will be close.
Elections, Shelter Boxes, helping a neighbor, voting.
Each of us is a tiny little particle in the swirl of everyday. But together, it piles up!
It's beautiful. It's quiet. There is no traffic (although the plows were out around 4:30am - Whoo a plow just sped by!) and we are snug and warm. I think I will check on a neighbor. And try to get some bird seed under those cars without frightening the tiny dinos.
Now, to a commercial...