A Snowy Birthday – 2019

Carol A. Hand

The super moon brightened the sky
on the night before my birthday
despite increasing cumulus clouds
promising another imminent storm

*

February 19, 2019

*

The snowiest February on record
was older than me on my birthday
yet the sight on the morning after
brought this year close to a tie

*

February 21, 2019

*

It seems all I’ve done is shovel snow,
grade student papers, and prepare classes
My yak trax are wearing thin with use
and my little car, White Pony,
is surrounded by growing piles of snow

*

February 23, 2019

*

Given the weather forecast for this week
we’re likely to set a new record
Ah, my aching back and shoulders
make me hope the meteorologists are wrong…

*

Yet I am grateful for so many things
The chance to work with colleagues
who genuinely care about students and teaching
The opportunity to work with students
who are eager to learn and think critically
Virtual friends whose creativity, passion, and kindness
bring blessings of beauty, laughter, and new knowledge
A long life that has brought me to an old house
in the northlands where I can marvel
at the beauty of tiny crystals and wonder
how many billions it takes to blanket the earth
for hundreds of square miles under three feet of snow
And the health and strength to shovel
and shovel
and shovel
wondering
if spring
will
ever
come
again

 

PS – If you’re curious to know how my car got the name “White Pony,” here are some links to older posts that tell pieces of the story:

https://voices-from-the-margins.blog/2015/01/01/reflections-on-winters-past/

https://voices-from-the-margins.blog/2015/07/25/la-joie-de-la-vie/

66 thoughts on “A Snowy Birthday – 2019”

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  1. Many people here in the Fraser Valley insist that we too are having a record cold and snowy February. I seem to remember differently but there’s no point arguing the weather. I got myself a small snow blower to take care of the shoveling. You need one of those, Carol. Snow shoveling is not a healthy occupation as one gets older – it’s not a natural movement for the human back.

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        1. Sadly, almost all of my students are either smaller than me (and that’s small) or they are single moms who work and go to school full time. My grandson works two jobs, so I really don’t have the heart to ask him to do more. I do have one neighbor who occasionally helps everyone with his snowblower. But what struck me most during this winter was how inhospitable this town and neighborhood are. Except for that one neighbor and me, both of us older, no one offers to help anyone else or even smiles and says hello!

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        2. Your observation is correct. I think the withdrawal is a global reaction to all the negative propaganda and also due to lives becoming more withdrawn into relying on social media to interact with others to the point where people don’t see each other. Much the same here though there are always exceptions. Unfortunately, I’m sure you’ve heard it too often: exceptions prove the rule, and what a truism that is.

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        1. A lovely way to describe your transition. Life sometimes mellows us and gives us a chance to reflect more about why we’re here and what we have to contribute in whatever time is left for us. ❤

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        2. True That. Too much Anger, fighting and arguments are bad for the soul. Also Roaming Urban Gypsy is the name of my Photography Blog where I showcase my artwork and photographs. I’m living the semi-retired life and enjoying my life.

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes, Dave. ❤ The blowing snow today and sub-zero temperatures that are forecast for the next few days make me doubt that spring will come soon here, but maybe it will arrive early where you live at least, dear friend. 🙂

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  8. Wishing you a happy new year filled with many blessings, dear Carol. 💕 The weather is interesting to observe. 70s one day and snowing the next. The winter is slowly beginning to relinquish its hold while Spring softly begins to unfold. 🌞

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comments and blessings, Carrie! ❤

      We have seen a few days with high 20s here, enough to melt some snow on sidewalks if the sun is out, but we're expecting more snow this week and below zero temperatures… So spring will be a while coming to the northwoods, but I am glad it is unfolding slowly in North Carolina. You have seen your own share of difficult weather this past year.

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    1. Dear Sylvia, it is so good to hear from you! I think of you often and miss your posts. I would love to hear how your new initiative(s) is (are) going. 🙂

      It’s not surprising to learn that we are both Pisces, dear friend. May your birthday and all the days that follow bring you many blessings, ❤

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and lovely blessings, Andrea. The blowing snow this morning and sub-zero weather ahead will pass, but I suspect there will be more snow for a while yet. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤

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    1. Ah, Michael, hearing from you is always a gift. Thank you so much for your birthday blessings. ❤

      Your wish about help with the snow is coming to pass today. The wind is helping at least rearrange it today. 🙂

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  18. Happy Birthday! And thank you for sharing the story of your car. I loved reading it. Now that I live in a place without snow, I thank you also for sharing your pictures. I didn’t think I could ever miss it but I do. So beautiful. (And yeah, I know … a LOT of work) haha

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Anima Monday. As much work as it is shoveling snow and surviving the sub-zero cold sometimes, I, too, have missed “real winter” when I lived in warmer climates. The cycle of distinct seasons surrounded by trees seems to be programmed into my DNA. Sending my best wishes to you. ❤

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  20. Happy birthday, Carol. Hope the snow clears soon for you. We’re having unusual weather for February here in North Wales – warm and sunny most days. ♥

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    1. Dear Izzy, I apologize for my belated thank you. In part, shoveling snow kept me away from the computer many days. Your lovely photos of warm and sunny beauty, though, have been a welcome gift. ❤

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      Reply

  24. A birthday! Hope it was a lovely one. Your words speak to me as I ready to shovel through another pile of essays in the midst of children pulling their crazy antics. Thank you for this moment’s piece in an otherwise hectic spring break!

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