I actually ventured outside while it was snowing for this shot. Taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app with Diego lens & Dixie film.
It begins as a whisper.
A few tiny flakes whirling and twirling. The Boy and I (back when he was a little-B boy) called them snow fairies. I don’t mind this kind of snow. The light hangs like a pale scrim softening the sky. Eventally, the snow fairies become a pageant, the twirling, whirling becomes more boisterous, like happy children dancing, their wild hearts aflutter, while bubbles of laughter cling to their lips.
It is a glorious music, like the joyful tinkle of piano keys.
But it doesn’t last. The cloud cover chases the scant light away. Burlier snowflakes barge in like tipsy uncles with round cheeks tottering through a party. They stumble and fall one on top of the other at a steady tick, blustering protest. They are the noisy jokers who must be heard. Splop. Plop. “Out of the way.” “Move aside.” They shout at one another, still clumsy, falling this way and that. Piling up. Piling up.
And then, nothing. They are asleep in their piles, dreaming, quietly breathing, dampening the sound of passing cars with their plump presence.
I have been watching the performance, and listening, trying to find something new, something a little creative in yet another bit of polar vortex melodrama. A meager attempt to bolster my already tenuous hold on sanity. It’s kind of soothing to look at a snow storm this way.
Until it begins to rain.
P.S. I did get some lovely pictures and a bit of fresh air, so there’s that.
A Wilderness of Words 
Mmm, I still love snow. But then I don’t go out much either. I THINK I have a car under that big white heap out there, though. Theoretically. 🙂
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I don’t mind the snow fairies. I don’t even mind the tipsy uncles. It’s the never-ending up and down, and freezing rain, along with relentlessly frigid temperatures.
Your car, though. Are you SURE it’s still there? That it hasn’t been replaced by an alien pod transport? You are in Stephen King territory. 😉
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I love that kind of snow! And your photograph is absolutely beautiful!
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Thanks, Tessa. I appreciate that.
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Gorgeous photo!
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Thank you, Su.
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LOVE it, Mary! I don’t think I’ll ever experience a snow storm in quite the same way again. I’ll be thinking of all those tipsy uncles… 🙂
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Ha, Cathy. That’s what I did yesterday instead of being bummed by another crappy snow day. I sat and watched it and tried to put into words what it reminded me of. I’m glad you liked it.
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Snow faries:)
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fairies … oops…sorry.
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😀 Children bring out the best in us, I think.
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Reblogged this on Cyberspace Crafter.
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I love snow from a distance. Preferably a large one. The only times I ever miss seeing it on the ground in the winter is on Christmas eve night and Christmas morning.
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I’m with you, Kitt. I hate having to slog around in it, but freshly falling, it is pretty. Interesting that we had no snow at all at Christmas!
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Beautifully written.
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Thank you for that. I so appreciate it.
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Being in India I have never experienced a snowfall but your description makes me want to feel the chill more than ever. Hoping to see a a city turning white soon.
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I can’t imagine never having experienced snow. I grew up in a mountain town where it seemed to snow pretty much 5 months of the year. It gets old fast. But an occasional snowfall is rather special. I do hope you get to experience one someday. Thank you for your comment.
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A beautiful post here, Mary. Love the progressive description and also how the snow trees look compared to the green trees in your blog header. What a long winter it’s been!
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Wandered over from Susie Lindau’s.
Actually, a nice prolonged rainstorm sounds good about now.
Be nice to see the sidewalks again…
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That … and the lovely description of falling snow. I’m glad you enjoyed the performance. I enjoyed this, Mary, very much.
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I came here from Susie’s too. What a lovely way to think of all this white stuff that is STILL coming down!
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This is such a beautiful post Mary! I love how you gave the different types of snow, personalities! You are getting very creative with the white stuff. after being in the Vortex for so long!
Thanks for swinging by the party! Have fun meeting my friends and don’t forget to dance!
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Mary,
You helped me fall in love with snow all over again–just when I was becoming ungrateful for the 13 inches that still remain on our ground.
“Eventally, the snow fairies become a pageant, the twirling, whirling becomes more boisterous, like happy children dancing, their wild hearts aflutter, while bubbles of laughter cling to their lips.”
Beautifully written and photographed.
Note to self: check out the hipster app!
Thank you for sharing your magical perspective.
Michelle
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You take a snowflake and introduce the reader to its world with such crazy beautiful writing. Wow. And wow.
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Oh, Mary, your writing always takes me to a better place and this piece is no exception! You know how I feel about snow!! Thank you.
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Mary this is gorgeous. Remarkably we are still in summer here and sweltering, so to see this photograph is a little surreal. Lovely colours and clean. Thank you B
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I love your photo and the various descriptions of snow. I thought of you while I was out photographing this weekend. There was a bit of faerie action and then the uncles arrived. This was wonderful!
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So beautiful. I too love the contrast between your snow trees and lush header trees. I savor every post, Mary.
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They are asleep in their piles, dreaming, quietly breathing, dampening the sound of passing cars with their plump presence.
That was the line for me. Nicely done.
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Polar vortex melodrama !! That’s it exactly Mary. It’s beautiful, but oh my…when will it stop? We had the snow and then the rain too. The kids are back at school today and it’s supposed to be warm this week. Such a roller coaster winter. Your photo is gorgeous. There is s calm that just radiates off of it.
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Yes, I read this already. But hey, like a great book . . there’s always more to find when you go back and read it again. Every single time.
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Some part of me connects with all the comments about the hassles of snow, as I curse the dirty gook they put down where I’ve been living lately. But feel the need to share a recent post as I’ve begun to feel grateful for New England’s balance of seasons: http://sandrareflects.com/2014/02/13/ill-take-snow/
Feel free to take issue! :):)
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Wow, you have quite a way with words! Your entry reads just as Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Snowflakes” sounds: rich, animated, and perfectly wintry. You write art.
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Pingback: The sound of falling snow | On and Off the Mat
I just came across your post and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it and your writing. With the over abundance of snow this year, the post was particularly pertinent. I look forward to the next post!
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Hi Mary,
I read this when you first posted and had to come read it again. So beautiful 🙂
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Great shot.. and you didnt use a Canik or Fusonsam! I’ll either have to get an iPhone or get better with my X100S.
Enjoy an Easter photo break..
Inigo
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A slight adjustment to my comment: ..good shot…very good shot!
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This was beautiful! All of it! You are very talented.
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