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Today is a beautiful winter day!
The sun may be hiding, but the snow is thick and glorious. And, because it is snowing, the happiness it brings has compelled me to mention a few thoughts about . . . snow.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
This famous poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning continues, but I think you get the idea. I love snow and I CAN count the ways:
1. When snow starts to fall and cover the world with a soft whiteness, I always imagine my mother pulling the blanket up to my chin and saying sleep tight, my dear. For is not Mother Nature doing that very thing for all the rose buds of tomorrow.
2. Snow signals playtime - snow forts building, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowball fights, the list continues . . . what's not to enjoy!
But, you need good clothing to make it enjoyable (See next point). Fortunately, we have the ability to buy clothing that would make our ancestors drool. When I think about the hardship they must have endured, it makes me truly thankful for Polarfleece!
3. On a lighter note, snow revs up the economy. For all of us who rely on snow as a means to earn our keep, snow allows us to get to work. And, it's not only good for snowplow drivers, but sales rack up for everything from salt to snowblowers to candles. People head out with a list of groceries and goodies to make their homes cozy and welcoming.
I did my part to innervate the economy this year by making a few larger purchases. I was craving a new pair of boots. I wanted something that lightweight, warm, waterproof and relatively nice looking. Well, I have to admit that I scored big! I bought a pair of Ugg Maxie boots and they are everything I wanted and then some!
The second purchase was more serendipitous. I was working on my Christmas installation at the local REI store and all that was left to do was adjust the LED lights. I figured I had to wait about a half and hour, so decided to wander inside and look around a bit. Nothing serious, for I really did not need anything. But, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a pair of winter pants and they were on SALE, too! I tried them on and knew - I just knew these pants would be my favorite winter pants of all time! Not only are they lined with a thin layer of polar fleece, but the outside layer is a matte finish poly blend that is wind and water resistant! And to top it off, they look good dressed up or down. OK, ok, I'll tell you the brand. They are Mountain Hardwear Yumalina™ Pants.
I'm telling you--these are the perfect pair of winter pants! I just broke down and bought a second pair online as a back up [sheepish grin].
And as for me and my Winterscaping work, I can do a lot without snow, but a much larger world of opportunities open up when abundant snow is at my fingertips. It helps insulate the bottoms of Globe Ice Lanterns as they are freezing. It helps to level any ice luminary while setting it up for candles. But most importantly, it is absolutely imperative to have snow when I am making Ice Glass Shards. I need snow to make my pools. I need snow to store the ice glass until I need it. And, then I need I snow to plant the Ice Glass in to make the ice sculptures. Point blank - I need snow!
And BTW - the best gloves for working in the snow are my Smurfy Blues! I devoted an entire blog post to them a few years ago and I love them more than ever!
4. Snow can make the world more challenging for some, so it becomes a time to reach to those who need help. I believe in the old adage, "Out of adversity comes opportunity." Maybe we shovel an elderly neighbor's driveway, help push a stranger's car out of a ditch or dig deep and teach some neighbor children how to build a quinzee hut! :)
5. And finally, the quintessential snow moment is when you wake up to a winter wonderland following a snowstorm. The swirling crystalline madness has settles down and left behind a blanket that has been pulled up tight, so we can walk out into the serenity of it and enjoy!
Enjoy the Glow!
Jennifer Hedberg, Ice Wrangler for Wintercraft
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From The Ice Wrangler to Darren Neiman regarding the Snow Angels organization in Canada I saw “Good Job!” As far as I can see, there is not a Snow Angels org in the United States. I would love to be proved incorrect, but all I found was a defunct snow removal service in Minnesota with an F rating on Better Business Bureau. So for now, those of us living near Canada will just have to do what comes naturally and continue to help our neighbors with the opportunity strikes. Take Care, The Ice Wrangler
I enjoyed reading your article. I’m north of your border in Canada and we look at snow as a way of life. Try to explain to someone who doesn’t see the snow WITH the colder temperatures what it means to have winter BITE your face – they just don’t understand.
One area I am lobbying for and searching the web through posts like these are Snow Angel programs for the seniors or less fortunate. I am always curious what other areas do to offer that type of service so I just started my own blog on my website as a directory plus some related issues.
Please feel free to visit and comment
<a href=“https://www.absnowremovalandlawncare.com”
Thanks again for sharing that snow is not just a responsibility but a joy as well. We think we form the snow, but I believe the snow forms us!
Darren Neiman
OK. I have to ask. What is a quinzee hut? Built out of snow, probably. Like a snow cave? Is it a Minnesota thing?
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22 February, 2021
Jennifer Hedberg
The Ice Wrangler to Jan about Quinzee Huts. When I was a child it was simply a pile of snow that we dug into to create a cool cave! Wikipedia has a better description: A quinzhee or quinzee /ˈkwɪnziː/ is a Canadian snow shelter that is made from a large pile of loose snow which is shaped then hollowed. This is in contrast to an igloo, which is built up from blocks of hard snow, and a snow cave, constructed by digging into the snow. The word is of Athabaskan origin, and entered the English language by 1984. A quinzhee can be made for winter camping and survival purposes, or for fun. Hope this helps!