Let It Snow

On several of my fall field trips out at the GSL Shorelands Preserve, we saw Woollybear Caterpillars with wide red-orange stripes around their bodies.  This is supposed to mean that there will be a long, cold winter.  Well, those caterpillars may know something:  this past weekend we were hit with a huge snowstorm.  I was so glad I didn’t have to go anywhere.  My husband ended up being stuck in Mesquite another day until the roads were clear enough to drive home.
Even for a Canadian, this was a lot of snow.  This snowstorm hit us here with about 12 inches total.  On Saturday night I shoveled 7 inches off the driveway and sidewalks.  It took me 2 hours, and still the fat, fluffy snowflakes kept falling.  While I was shoveling, I sang songs like ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’ and admired all the lights that decorate the houses on our block.  On Sunday morning I went out and shoved 3 more inches off (with more falling last night).  My neighbor took pity on me and brought over his snow blower.  Wow those things work fast!  Well, my muscles are definitely getting a workout, but if the whole winter is going to be like this, then I think I should get my husband a snow blower for Christmas.  (After all, this might be a way to get him to join in the fun!) The temperatures are definitely not comfortable unless you are bundled up with multiple layers of clothing.  But the kids at the school today didn’t seem to mind the cold.  They were dressed warm, and at recess, they went outside to slide, roll, jump, and run.  They came in with red cheeks and smiling faces and snow all over their hats.  It’s just another example of how we need to be more like kids and enjoy each season as it comes.  Snow means playtime!