Snow

It snowed today -- the first time since I've been here (while I've been awake). I had been working in my speech room and happened to look out the window. I saw the tiniest flakes drifting down. I ran outside to try and get a picture (which didn't come out at all). The flakes were so tiny I barely felt their light sting on my skin. It was exhilarating. I'm not sure anyone else understood my excitement. And I can get it. I mean, it is February in Fairbanks, after all. It's not like they haven't seen snow before. But I loved it. To this California girl (who still crosses her fingers every year that this will be the year we have a white Christmas), falling snow is hard to beat. I wonder if I'll feel the same wonderment about snow four months from now? I hope so.

Because of the snow, the sky today was clouded over and gray, not the interesting muted blues it's been since I first arrived. I never imagined that shades of gray could be so beautiful, particularly when contrasted with the white of the snow flakes. But it was. Not drab, depressing gray but somehow just beautiful.

And...there's nothing like a fresh snow for covering up the urine writings that the army boys left outside my patio over the weekend. Thanks, boys!

My attempt to catch the falling snow. You'll have to take my word for it.