Winter is really off to a fine start this New Year.
January was only two days old before we had 18 inches of snow dumped on us. It was quite a Nor’easter. I got up several times in the night to see how bad it was coming down. But there certainly wasn’t anything I could do before morning. I wasn’t going to start snow blowing 3 AM.
I got up early and looked outside. The kitchen window had a circle of frost on it. As I peered outside, I could see a lonely, little bird with his feathers all puffed up, sitting on one or the perches of our empty birdfeeder. The wind was howling around him and whipping snow all over. The bird was waiting for some food to somehow appear in that empty feeder. I put my ski pants, jacket, boots, gloves and hat on and went outside to the to rescue my buddy.
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them…
The little bird flew off as I waded through the thigh-deep snow drift to do the Lord’s work. When my buddy came back for breakfast he brought a bunch of friends with him.
I proceeded to snow blow the driveway and sidewalk . The snow was beautifully light and fluffy making the cleanup really easy . The sun was out. My only regret was that I was behind a snow blower and not in the lift line. Still it was fun.
Then I thought about how many times I have done this great snowstorm ritual: The exciting anticipation of the impending storm. The fun of being hunkered down all nice and cozy and weathering the Nor’easter. And the fun getting up and out in of dealing with the aftermath.
It is always fun in January. Desperation doesn’t set in until March.
copyright 2014 Magnus Incognito