Day 7 - 61 --Weather Lions

The world turned white, well whiter, overnight. Snow as part of a spring-like storm has been falling overnight and all day today. Since at least the 1800s, in England it was said that the weather of early March could predict that of late March. -- In like a lion, out like a lamb. I have heard this piece of weather folklore since early childhood. Today being March 1st made me think of these few words again. This storms definitely feels like the lion accompanying the entry of a new month. There is a lot of snow out there, yet, thankfully, it is falling with very little wind. The forecast noted accumulations would reach 15-25 cm (6-10 inches). Being wetter snow, it has compacted a bit, which makes it difficult to determine how much actually has fallen. I shoveled for a while to clear the path to the street and the front and back porches. That was an effort, but a slow and steady pace helped. The fine small snow flakes falling reminded me of another predictive phrase -- " big snow, small snow" and its corollary "little snow, big snow". This is a local phrase that confused me for years, until I understood that the first reference to snow in each phrase indicates the snowflake size and the latter refers to the accumulation on the ground. So, given the smaller flakes today, there will likely be something significant to shovel tomorrow morning. <smile> Now, a calmer, less snowy end of the month would be most welcomed -- folklore or not <grin>.

Since the snow is expected to taper and end (for now <smile>) into the overnight, one song seemed perfect for the day. The title and many lyrics are sung in Zulu. The term Mbube is Zulu for lion -- pronounced "eem-boo-bay". Interestingly, the anglicized version of this has been closer to "a-wim-bo-way' -- interesting. Enjoy!

Mbube (Lion Sleeps Tonight) -- Lebo M. (from The Lion King movie cast)