Day 2-4 -- A Day of Mixed Precipitation

Today is the last day before the beginning of term. It was filled with final preparations for classes tomorrow and bits of housework. The major preparation was to shovel the 8 inches (~18-20 cm) of snow that fell overnight and into the morning. When I went to bed the forecast called for 5 cm (2 inches) -- a bit of an underestimate in anyone's books, I'd expect. The entire time I was shovelling -- about an hour -- ice pellets and rain fell. I had hoped to get out to move the fluffy snow before it began to become water-logged. That worked reasonably well -- but my coat was affected adversleyl. I had enough ice pellets in the hood to make a snowball when I came into the house.  The coat weighed more coming in that going out, too. <smile>. The street plough had not been by yet at supper time tonight, so I expect it will blast past around 6:30 AM. This won't allow me enough time to clear the debris it leaves at the end of the drive and still get to the 8:15 AM lecture. So, the evening has been filled with reorganizing necessary items into a smaller book bag (to reduce carrying weight) and laying out extra socks (for potential wet feet with the melting occurring now and into tomorrow) and shoes (to change into when wearing potentially wet boots tomorrow). I plan to walk in and hope it isn't too slippery on the walk home -- all down and up hills.

I will admit that some snow shovelling can be refreshing. It helps clear the mind a bit from work and lets thoughts go where they may. An hour of moving snow about is a bit much, though -- 30 to 40 minutes feels much better, even if split into two bouts throughout the day. Today wasn't going to allow that, so with a slow rhythm and several breaks, the task was completed. Very few other sounds were audible except for the low hum plus back-up beeping of heavy equipment removing snow all around me and the ice pellets hitting the trees in the yard. Interestingly, it seemed somewhat peaceful.

While working I found rain falling down my neck occasionally -- truly bracing <smile>.  I did mutter something to myself and then a lyric ran through my head, though I altered the word 'sunny' to 'snowy'. The group involved has been featured here often. Enjoy!

Have You Ever Seen the Rain? -- Creedence Clearwater Revival