662. The snow itself is lonely or, if you prefer self-sufficient. There is no other time when the whole world seems composed of one thing and one thing only. ~Joseph Wood Krutch

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Out of the bosom of the air
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.
This is the poem of the air.
~Excerpted lines from a poem
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Snow again? Unfreakingbelievable! I’d been waiting and watching the skies all winter for signs of snow and when did it finally come? Three weeks, more or less, before the arrival of the vernal equinox and at the time of my knee surgery. Not only that but before the snow fell last week you’d have thought spring was springing up and out all over my neck of the woods.  Why so?  The neighboring Bradford pear trees were budding out, my redbud tree was budding out, the willow at the back was leafing out, the roses were also leafing out, some even had buds, hyacinth were blooming, daffodils were flowering, and an assortment of green things were sprouting up and out of the ground. But then and in the twinkling of an eye– wham, bam, boom, the temps plummeted, the rains came, and as February’s doors closed the “poetry” of snow fell. Go figure! But then since our last average freeze date is March 15th, silly old me thought perhaps the sun would be back this week and we’d start warming up. But oh no! Sunday, on the way home from the hospital I heard forecasters predict more below freezing temps for the week as well as additional rain, sleet, or snow. And wouldn’t you know, the weather gurus who are often wrong when it comes to Texas weather were 100% right this time because once more as this week progressed the temps plummeted, the rains came, and then last night out of the “bosom of the air” fell the “poetry of snow” for the second time in less than a week! My oh my oh my, but Mother Nature can be quite the fickle and cruel old gal at times, can’t she?!
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Throughout the evening I watched the snow fairies
As they were falling, falling from the sky, and
Whirling willy-nilly about in the misty air while
Contending fiercely for space supremacy.
Then as the night deepened they flew down mightily,
As though in heaven there had been a revolt or a riot
Which drove the frail things into a panicked flight
Down to the calm earth in search of peace and quiet.
Finally I went on to bed but rose early at dawn
And saw myriads of them huddled together in heaps,
Each merged into the other upon any and all surfaces,
Fast asleep, worn out by their sharp struggle.
~Edited and adapted lines by Claude McKay
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. ~Psalm 4:8   ✝

24 thoughts on “662. The snow itself is lonely or, if you prefer self-sufficient. There is no other time when the whole world seems composed of one thing and one thing only. ~Joseph Wood Krutch”

  2. Wow–I’ve waited and watched as well—yet it seems our time has passed—as you’re correct, it will be too late—but isn’t that her fickled way, this beautiful siren who woos us and lures us, sweet Miss Mother Nature singing her hopeful song of Spring, then WHAM—snow, ice, freezing rain. . .hummmm
    It is pretty though Natalie–enjoy for me as all we have is rain upon rain, upon rain. . .
    a soggy me

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  3. Oh, I sympathize with you! We have really unpredictable weather here, too. Where gardening is concerned here in zone 7, I probably won’t plant anything until the third week in April.

    I have to tell you something that will hopefully make you laugh. Have you ever had something show up in your yard that looked interesting and decided to let it grow, and later really regretted it? About 10 years ago I was wanting to get some shrubs to use around the foundations of my house. I saw these pretty little things growing in my yard and since they were free, I used them. They turned out to be those awful wild privet trees that people sometimes use for hedges, but will get taller than your house in less than five years. They are hard to dig up, so I just prune them two or three times a year.

    In recent years red wasps have really liked to hang out in them. Fire ants like to build there mounds around them, too. The silver lining for me in this cold weather scenario is that I am going to head out and drastically prune them now so I won’t have to contend with those awful creatures. 🙂

    Hugs and Blessings,
    Theresa

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    • You know my neighbor has some of those privet hedges and you’re right, they do grow very rapidly and have to be pruned several times a year like you said.
      I’ve never noticed any wasps in them but we do have wasps in our yard and I hate the things. They are awful creatures. 🙂 ❤

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  5. Natalie, I hope it’s okay that I smiled as I read your words. You brought me right there as though I had opened the door to find a winter wonderland in my own garden (I wouldn’t mind a wee spot of snow). Lovely pictures. I hope you are following doctor’s orders and having some fun at the same time.

    Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy ❀

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    • Hey, smiling is always good. I’m so glad I generated yours. Yes I am following the doc’s orders and doing well. We actually got out today and went to Costco’s. The PT guys say I’m way ahead of where other people are at this stage of the game. So yay team!!!
      Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. Love, N 🙂 ❤

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  10. While over the ocean the UK was basking in temperatures of nearly 60 degrees F today – with Hereford the warmest place in the country and warmer still forecast for tomorrow.

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