Life in the Slow Lane

The icicles are melting, I think. But they have certainly gotten longer since yesterday's snow.

Today the governor of Wisconsin declared a state of emergency on account of the weather. I am ever so glad to be living somewhat south of that emergency. I'm having enough of an emergency as it is, what with SOS being gone all week long. I had planned to take the kids on an outing today to ward off some of the slow deterioration inherent in Dad being gone, but the weather being what it was, all outings were cancelled. Well, there was one. CutieLittleBoy, at about 5:30 in the afternoon, decided that it was time to go play in the (still falling) snow. Can I admit to the world that he just pulled on his snow gear over his pajamas?  It is a little hard to see, but the branches have icicles hanging off them due to the freezing rain before the snow.

It's Back. It's warm enough that it is raining today rather than snowing, but with the wind, I'm still uncomfortably cold with a down jacket, boots, knit hat, and umbrella. SmilesBabyGirl and I use the wintry day to paint each other's fingernails. Maybe by the time it warms up enough to go out in public, the polish will look like it is merely affected by chipping rather than the truth of it having been applied by a manicurist not yet three years old. Do you ever have moments where you are quite certain you will one day remember it in a deja vu?

Spring may actually be here. I'm not putting away the snow gear quite yet, but today was warm enough that the kids stripped off their socks and shoes to play in the sand. The ten day forecast shoes no temperature dips. Look at that warmth! Could this really be the end of winter?

There’s rain outside. Nothing freezing about it. Will this be enough to wash the last bits of snow from the ground? Never mind. The downpour lasted all of three minutes. Snow still lingers.

Today a miracle happened. All three kids were simultaneously sleeping. Of course, this happened on the way home from running errands, which typically isn’t ideal, but SOS and I made the best of it. We decided we would have a driving date.  The neighborhood next to the student housing where we live is architecturally quite interesting. It’s one of the wealthier areas of town and not only boasts at least one house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, but has a number of other unique residences. The majority of houses that cannot brag uniqueness are stately, handsome, classic (you get the idea) homes. With the bits of snow lingering, so many houses look magazine ready. Except for the house with it’s own ice hockey rink marked out ten yards in front of the formal dining room window. Or maybe we’re just talking about a different magazine.

This is a fox. We've never seen one before today. Is this the classic case of winter lasting long enough that wild animals come into residential neighborhoods looking for food?

SOS and I were reflecting about how snow is no longer an event. Back in our BW days (Before Winter), white flakes falling from the sky (no matter how few) were something to stop and take note of. Not so much anymore. Today I called the kids to look at the snow falling. They barely even looked up. A little hard to see, but that's a snow tunnel from some burrowing animal.

It’s snowing again.  And the water is still dripping off the eaves as the last serving of snow melts.  Borderline, folks. We’re right on the border.

Fresh snow is pretty, even one hundred three days into winter.