Snow!

Dec. 7th, 2003 07:39 am
magid: (Default)
[personal profile] magid
Factorial, definitely. Friday all the weather reports I heard were saying 3 to 6 inches, or 4 to 6 inches. That's about what we had yesterday morning, and it's been snowing pretty continuously since then. It's an impressive amount of snow, however much it is. Last night, someone measured it at 13 inches. This morning, I meandered into my kitchen to get some water, and was surprised to see snow up past the second windowpane on the French doors (about four feet off the floor); I haven't seen snow that deep on my porch before. I managed to peek out over it, and found it's a drift. Still, it looks like there's at least a foot and a half of snow balanced on my porch railings, even after whatever wind has gotten to it.

Thanks to BubbleBabble, I didn't stay curled up at home, but went out to walk/slog/slide through the snow. I felt badly walking by the next-door neighbor shoveling our walk, knowing I wouldn't be helping for some hours, at least.

It wasn't cold, but the wind driving snow in my face wasn't the most pleasant. I wish I'd found the earbands or the thin fleece hat, but they must've found some cozy place to hide, since they weren't with the hats or scarves. The rest of me, though, ended up far more than toasty warm, almost unpleasantly so. I'd decided against the high boots with less traction, opting instead for the huge ankle-high hiking (Limmer) boots. They work beautifully in the snow. I might get gaiters to avoid the snow-into-boots problem. Hrm. Not sure where I'd get those in walking distance...

Later in the afternoon, I headed out again. My coat and gloves were still a bit damp, and I didn't have companionship for the walk; it was hard to get myself out again. Once I was out, it wasn't too bad, though again the wind was in my face. I walked to the Cookie and Soup gathering, assuming that it hadn't been canceled. And indeed, it hadn't. I was surprised to see so many people there, but public transportation and feet (plus a pair of skis) were in working order. I watched an impressive number and variety of soups made, played with babies, and learned I can crack walnuts with my bare hands (though of course, this leaves me with walnuts to eat, which are not my favorite). Or at least, I could do it once :-). And I demonstrated the sound of one hand clapping. And had time to talk with someone I haven't seen in far too long, sitting on the steps and wishing there were more time.

It felt good to be inside with congenial people, especially when the snow was blowing horizontally, which made it that much harder to face going home. It was nice to know that there was crash space, but I much prefer my own bed, and there was no way to tell if it would be any easier in the morning. So I suited up, headed out... and found that it was much quieter than it had been. Much less wind, at least at ground level. It seemed much faster, though some of that was the heading-home effect. I was passed by two skiers, and two bicyclists (!). It also seemed incongruous to see people slogging through the snow carrying a bag of groceries with salad mix in it. There were still people on the roads, but fewer than previously.

I wish I'd already replaced the hot water urn. A hot drink would've been nice when I got home. Perhaps this week...

Date: 2003-12-07 05:15 am (UTC)
cnoocy: green a-e ligature (Default)
From: [personal profile] cnoocy
Theoretically, you could probably make it to Harvard Square, where there's an EMS under the former HMV. I bet they sell gaiters. If the buses are still running, you could even use one.

Thanks!

Date: 2003-12-07 05:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
I'd forgotten that Structure and whatever they called the other half of the store was now gone, replaced with EMS. I need to update my mental map, definitely. Hrm. And HMV is gone, too. I am so behind the times.

I've heard the buses, but for such a short walk (< 1 mile), I'd just walk, rather than wait and wait and wait for a bus on a Sunday in a snow, er, event. Plus for some reason I'd prefer not to be in a motorized vehicle, even a big heavy one like a bus. (I'm so not looking forward to tomorrow's commute.)

Date: 2003-12-07 05:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
I found yesterday to be a perfect excuse to stay at home, curl up with The Hero and the Crown, and bake bread.
Silly peoples, going outdoors!

Date: 2003-12-07 05:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
I think today's going to be my baking day instead. And I did have a little bit of time to read yesterday...

Outdoors was fun, once actually out in it :-)

Date: 2003-12-07 05:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
today i'll venture out. indian buffet. mmmm...

Date: 2003-12-07 06:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
I didn't know you buff Indians....
Or would that be Native Americans?

Date: 2003-12-07 06:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
what else would one do for a good time in new england winters?

Date: 2003-12-07 06:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
Cookie/bread baking isn't enough?

And that's if I discount snow angels, too. (Another warped-by-my-job moment: I typed "angles" first.)

And the already-mentioned books, as well.

Tons to do for a good time in the winter!

Date: 2003-12-07 06:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
sure, you think that now, but by the third or fourth storm you'll be bored stiff!

Date: 2003-12-07 06:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
Depends whether they're on weekends or not. Weekday storms suck for me, because my office never closes, so it's just shovel, horrible commute in two directions, circle endlessly for parking. Lather, rinse, repeat (like last winter).

This weekend storm thing is so much better!

Date: 2003-12-07 07:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com


i'm debating whether waiting 45+ minutes for a bus in cold snowy weather (plus two train lines) is better than trying to drive to watertown tomorrow once the roads are clear.

Date: 2003-12-07 07:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
The roads are looking pretty clear around here; the big pain is excavating the car (and, maybe, navigating your street...).

Date: 2003-12-07 07:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spwebdesign.livejournal.com
Delivery to Medford, please?

Date: 2003-12-07 07:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
you don't like bukhara much, remember?

Date: 2003-12-07 07:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
yes, well, BB has shown no interest in excavating the car...

Date: 2003-12-07 07:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
Isn't Bukhara in a former SSR?

Date: 2003-12-07 07:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
Well, he said he'd do up to two more shovelings, so maybe one of those could be the car? :-)

Date: 2003-12-07 08:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
Ha! He keeps pushing the so-called perks of public transportation.
He doesn't have to stand in the wind tunnel that is the bus stop in freezing temperatures, now does he.

Date: 2003-12-07 08:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bitty.livejournal.com
another challenge inherent to delivery in medford.

Re: Thanks!

Date: 2003-12-07 09:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] browngirl.livejournal.com
Apparently school is closed for the city of Boston tomorrow. I've just left phone messages for the heads of the Academy letting them know so they can close *our* school. So driving from Cambridge to Needham does not sound like a good idea, tomorrow.

Re: Thanks!

Date: 2003-12-07 02:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magid.livejournal.com
The streets look pretty clear around here, actually. The worst part of it will be freeing my car; I've already done one pass and I'm perhaps halfway done. I'm contemplating a mental health day tomorrow, to give myself time to do it without re-injuring my back...

Oh, and the other worst part: finding a parking space when returning from work

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