Waiting for the Snow

There is much talk about the snowstorm which is predicted to arrive here tomorrow morning, beginning as rain and changing to snow later in the day. There may be a 3-4 inch accumulation of snow by the time the storm moves on up the coast on Sunday. 

Now, in the mid-Atlantic region, three or four inches of snow constitutes a major winter event and, indeed, snarls just about every public and private function. 

Schools are closed, business openings are delayed and traffic accidents are too numerous to report. There was very little traffic on the highways on my way to Richmond and back this afternoon because all the cars were in the grocery store parking lots. Any hint of a snowflake causes a stampede to the grocery stores. .

Anticipated winter events are a very big deal here!

Despite the time and the forecast, I hung out the last of the laundry at 4:30pm, knowing full well that it wouldn't get completely dry before bedtime. But some things just beg to be hung out of doors and so out they go. 

A few minutes ago, about 10:30, I donned my coat, went to the clothesline and was delightfully surprised that everything was completely dry. And it is so light outside that I didn't even need to turn on the floodlight to find the way.

And that is what I'm trying to tell you about .. the light, the moon and the clouds. 

After bringing the clothes in, I put on the teal parka that had belonged to my brother, Francis, and wrapped my head and neck with a soft wool scarf that I bought in Ireland last year, picked up the canvas campstool that resides on the side porch, and accompanied by the dogs, parked myself in a clear place in the front yard. It was cloud watching time. 

The sky was fascinating! The moon is only three days away from being full and is unusually bright despite the clouds. Or maybe because of the clouds. 

The sky is covered with rapidly moving thin very white clouds coming in from the southwest .. from Lori's area. And what was so interesting is that, while a few clouds streaked across the moon, others seem to form a halo around the moon. 

They continued to make an ever-moving and yet ever-present wide halo around the moon. It was sheer magic. And the inner margins of the halo were a very, very light, soft rose color! It was so lovely that it was difficult to bring the experience to a close.

Do you remember that Uncle Brian sent us a web address to the Cloud Appreciation Society sometime last year? There are photos contained within that site showing precisely what I was watching tonight.

And so, goodnight, and love to everyone,

Love to everyone, Aunt Maureen

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