Thursday, December 24, 2009

But, realistically, I'd rather have snow.

Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
--Robert Frost, selected lines from "Birches"


Day 2 of an ice storm. Chicagoland generally doesn't get this kind of weather. As far north as we are, the temperature line usually falls south, through central and southern Illinois. This time, the huge amount of moisture lies right on the freezing line and we have wavered between pelleted snow and rain with sleet and ice thrown in for good measure.

Last night was ice. Several times, as I got up from my computer to go get tea, I could see, in the street light north of me, the power lines glistening, almost appearing draped with silver. This kind of ice will bring power lines down, if it gets heavy enough. I am currently fortunate to still have power.

It's a sleet rain mix at 1 p.m. Ice coats everything. I have heard the garbage trucks hurriedly working. I know they don't want to be out any later than they have to on Christmas Eve and this added ice has got to make driving hazardous. Traffic on the street is slim, at best. This is not a time to go for a drive to look around. I'm fairly certain, had I had to work, we would have been called off.

Yet, it's beautiful. Everything is outlined, as if an artist was given crayons only in variations of white. I've spent a lot of time just gazing out the office window into the back yard, wishing the camera could adequately capture what I see. As long as I don't have to go anywhere, this is a serene and beautiful sight. If I had to be some place, I'd rather have 2 feet of snow. I can drive in that.
Beverage: China Black Tea

Deb


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