It's Snow Time!

Last night we were visited by the Snow Fairy who left us a nice clean blanket in exchange for our brown grass and dirty roads. For a girl raised in California, who didn't see her first snowfall until she was 12, snow never ceases to be amazing, Nature's best party trick. But around here, snow doesn't last long, so we took a break from painting the bathroom and went out with Fanny to the trails. She loves the snow every bit as much as I do. Here she is still looking for those Twelve Wieners of Christmas.

"It's not too late! They could still be coming...."

If you think I love the snow, the local weathermen become orgasmic. After hurricane season, they have little to do the rest of the year, but are galvanized into action at the first hint of a flurry. You might imagine from their excitement that 2 inches is cause for a statewide emergency. Code: White!

They have to make as big a fuss as possible because we are strictly limited by law to two snowfalls a year which melt before everybody gets sick of it. But when it does snow, the city shuts down and everybody takes the day off. At even the tiniest hint of a flurry, a scroll appears at the bottom of the local TV channels listing the multitude of businesses and schools that are closed. "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" closed for Sunday services due to 1/2 inch of snow on the ground. But the day care centers and public schools are right to panic because in North Carolina we don't have the equipment or the know-how to handle more than a light dusting. Last year we had more than our annual 6 inches and ran out of salt for the the roads. We had to go borrow some from the next door neighbor, Virginia.

So most businesses were closed today, but a few places were open. Our local hardware store-- which is usually closed on Sundays-- opened especially today in the hopes of selling a few snow shovels and sleds. The snow won't last long, so they have to make hay while the sun is not shining. We didn't need a snow shovel, but we showed our support by buying a strand of Christmas lights for 50% off and some anchor bolts.

Our favorite grocery-church, however, remained resolutely mysterious. We don't ever see any activity other than the trash can being moved. Do people ever worship here? Do people ever shop here? Is it some sort of snack food & potted meat cult?