I love when it snows. The world goes all quiet and peaceful and there is such a special atmosphere. Everything ugly and harsh to the view disappears under a dusting of white. It is like a return to childhood. The anticipation, butterflies in the stomach - waiting for the moment when the world is completely changed into something magical and unreal.
One of my great pleasures is to go for a walk, camera in hand, and watch the transformation. My eyes are constantly watching for the traces of the small animals normally hidden from view. Finding the path taken by a badger, marten or other wild creature is almost as exciting as seeing the animal itself. Those lovely little prints through the pristine snow are a delight to find. I know, I am a bit strange. Wayne shakes his head in disbelief that I have a book on animal scat and traces. My theory is that if you want to understand and really know the environment that you live in, it is essential to learn about things like poo and paw prints. It goes hand in hand with living in the country to my mind. Nerdy I know, but very very interesting....lol
Monday morning the cats and I spent hours glued to the windows watching the transformation of our neighbourhood into a snow fantasy. Every few hours I ran outside with the video camera (new toy) and filmed the progress of the house turning from a typical maison Poitevin into something from Hansel and Gretel. You know what I mean.... the frosted eaves and fairytale garden coated in a layer of snow, with smoke curling lazily from the chimney.
Tuesday afternoon saw my garden become the venue for a heated snowball fight between a neighbourhood 4 year old and myself. No comments about picking on someone my own size.... this kidlet was an expert at snowballs!! After nearly collapsing with laughter at his antics in the snow, his Mum and I retired to the comfort of the salon and a cosy armchair each in front of the cheminee. Well deserved mug of tisane in hand - of course.
Today is a half day for all schools. As it is every wednesday. Another snowball match has been scheduled with the neighbours kidlets for 1300hours. May need to have a few cups of full strength coffee before then I think...lol. Yesterday at a routine checkup, the doctor asked about my exercise habits, and was puzzled when I burst out laughing. Had to explain about the championship snowball battles every day while the snow lasted. She had a good giggle over that and her only comment was that I was obviously getting enough exercise running from the neighbours kidlets. Hmmm.
Seriously (?) though, the snow does change the whole outlook of people as well as the area. On monday evening one of the neighbours arrived home with his wife. Their young adult daughter drove in at the same time. Within seconds of exiting their vehicles the father had commenced pelting his wife and daughter with snowballs. A hilarious snowball fight ensued for about half an hour. All three dressed in business attire and the women in high heels! It was fabulous to see them having so much fun, and to hear their laughter echoing down the street. What a great way to let off steam after a hard day at work!
I cannot imagine the heat and humidity being suffered by our family and friends in Australia right now. My world is too full of fluttering white flocons de neige and crisp cold air.... and we have another 2 weeks of minus zero and snow to come.... YOUPI!!!
The photo at top was taken in my neighbours garden about three hours in to the snow. The pic of our house was only one hour in to the snow.
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