Waiting for Winter to End

This picture of the wagon at the HF Bar ranch in Wyoming has always entranced me. It's what snow in the west looks like -- a light coating under the next day's bluebird skies, clean looking and refreshing. Nothing to shovel. A broom can sweep it off the walk unless you just want to wait for the sun to melt it.


We've had snow like that in Santa Fe this winter. But Saturday we got this -- heavy, wet snow that defeated the Spanish broom and bowed its branches down.


I do like how snow clings to the roofline edges of the stucco houses. That's pretty. A baker's dusting of sugar sprinkled along the top.

Last winter we sat out on the patio on dry winter days in nice sunshine all the time. This winter there is no place to sit.


My potted witch hazel that is blooming now is completely undone. The flowers are under the spirals of snow clinging to the branches. They're there, bright yellow somewhere under the wet snow. Brave souls.


They didn't plow the street after the snow -- it was Saturday so there was no school. The town doesn't plow unless kids have to get to the school up the street from us. Streets just stay snow covered while everyone waits for it to go away.

So Saturday was spent indoors, debating where the shovel had been left, and waiting for winter to end.


Sunday morning we woke up to 13 degrees F (and "feels like" zero.) This really needs to end.

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