Appealingly Nonsensical

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Watching snow fall, not blow, but spill beautifully as if paid to do so by Hollywood, I find myself smiling. We could have prayed for years and never received this gorgeous day. Hours of complete enjoyment were ahead. We needed the moisture, and I knew we were finally seeing it, so contentment overwhelmed my heart.
I recalled a conversation about precisely how many feet of snow it would take for an inch of rainfall – yet I can’t for the life of me remember what the amount was, and so I giggle. Typical Audrey. I used to have people around to remember those details.  I try not to allow any negative thoughts when I can’t recall useful data because this, some would see as irresponsible, is me. I’ll chalk it up to not necessary enough and move on with smirk across my lips.

I find pleasure scooping snow while snowflakes fall one after another, some bigger than others. Not a breeze to be found, curious how we don’t normally refer to the wind as a breeze in the wintertime, but somehow yesterday the lack of came to me as such, while I threw another scoop of white to my left. Life appearing so peaceful and possibly perfect.

While others wait to forge a path outside, I find serenity scampering about doing small things, all the while listening for nature to wake. Silly squirrel presses forward slowly and leaps for a nearby tree. I consider how useful a new bird feeder would have been this morning and silently scold myself for not making that a priority in September and all the months that followed. It appears I was successful in punishing myself, although I had no idea I would be doing so at the time. Kept from the enjoyment I find in watching for cardinals, but made a note to get a new one next time I was in town. We shall see.

I ponder the quiet outdoors and how well I can hear myself breathe. My mind is open to possibilities, and how easy life can is if we stop and just do what comes naturally. Maybe you find it nonsensical, but a winter storm energizes me. All my daily musts are replaced by the here and now – and I do so love living in the moment as there is less time to ponder the what ifs. My muscles are tender, yet my mind clear.

* Just some thoughts & a silly little picture of the before and after of yesterday’s snowfall. I adore how safe the green bush appears after the snow. One powerfully protected by the other, it seems. Love that.

36 thoughts on “Appealingly Nonsensical”

  1. “My muscles are tender and my mind is clear…” now that is a way to begin the new year. The one beauty winter does offer are those extremely quiet days, watching the snow falling, and getting lost in nothing but the wonders of nature 🙂 Those are the days to enjoy as much as possible before the cold, dreary colors of Jan/Feb make me begin dreaming of spring down the road. The first real snow of the year is always something to run into, look up, and enjoy. Your thoughts and attitude about the growing inability to recall useful data is hilarious – never irresponsible, as when you get older it gets easier to blame on age! Cheers my dear, to warmth inside ~ and the cold beauty outside your window 🙂

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    • Mr. Collis, you crack me up. Yes, I for one truly believe in blaming age for my lack of memory, well, that and my inability to quite my mind long enough to store the data. Yea, probably the real reason. Big breath – focus. Winter is going well, a bit has melted. We jumped from -30 to 32° and now we’re all running around without jackets. Huge jump in temps! So glad you enjoyed this post. You’re quite a fabulous cheerleader, Sir. 💪

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  2. Early ’60’s Chevy box?

    The rain/snow calculation depends on temperature as temperature largely determines how much moisture air holds. Near freezing it may be 5″ snow per inch of rain yet at 10 above it may be 20″ per. Watch weather service rain record for area. Regardless the snow melting tends to sink in much better.

    Hope things have slowed down and y’all are well.

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    • Thank you for explaining the moisture concept to me, C. It had been anywhere from -1 to -17 here for the last week with a “feels like -40” so not sure I’m scooping powder snow but there has been about 15 inches so far and the drifting is at an all time high. My heart goes out to the men and women, trying to clear snow. They have to be dog tired by now. The wind just won’t quit. More snow today about an inch and more to come Thursday.

      I enjoyed seeing your name pop up here. Its been years since you’ve left a comment. I’m happy to read you are doing well and home being taken care of by your family. You sound content.
      We’re managing, and I’m rattling about the house on my own fairly well. Thank you for asking.
      Yes, I believe the pickup bed is correct. The neighbor uses it for hauling wood and gardening moments. Cute young family.
      Happy New Year to you and yours.

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    • There are charts giving fairly close calculations based on given factors. It’s all white noise when you have to shovel.

      Ironic timing, first time on in a month or so and yours was “on top” so I saw it. It was a good smile. Still limited online but I had wondered how you were and hoped y’all were ok.

      Makes you sad for the rest of the truck but at least the box lives on.

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    • I’m shameless, I love them all. I have favorites but I want any to live if there’s a chance. Simply prefer the old stuff. On reflection it’s hard to believe how old this some of this stuff is.

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    • Have a young neighbor (30s) who’s vehicles are all clean and well cared for but they are also well chosen. He rode by this morning in his well kept 30yr old truck. That impresses me, a 130k new truck doesn’t.

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    • Saw an awesome one in Carolina last year. ’67 Ford stepside, short bed F-150, it was an old state highway truck. The gentleman driving it was clearly used to driving it and was totally nonplussed at driving through a major city with a truck load of tools. He was 70s(?) and it was easy to guess he’d bought it at auction 50 years ago and just used it.

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    • Those confident drivers, who know exactly what they’re driving and have – without a care in the world for what others think or personally own – are the greatest humans. Coolest part is these people could vehemently disagree with one another on all things but still have the right to think what they want to about life and their truck. Probably the most basic right we have.
      I’ve seen a few oldies online and in person and often thought of you and smile because I knew you’d agree on the cool factor.

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    • Thank you and same applies here.

      For me there is also the joy of seeing something cared for yet used. New four door dually diesel with leather, ok but let me know if you still have it in 50 years. Have to show you the picture. That stepside was a workaday partner. That’s very different from the 130k electric Hummer, a 9,000lb “Green” “need”.

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    • It’s something I enjoy but we all have more to learn if we wish.

      Thought hit last night so I looked back. That was the same day I saw an achingly beautiful silver ’71 ‘Vette so I bet you’ve seen the truck I’m speaking of.

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    • Normally not a ‘Vette guy and that isn’t even a generation I look but “oh my”.

      That truck, I’ll take it over a new lifted dually that has 20k in options financed on top of the 100k sticker. One you’re afraid of and the other looks like a reliable partner.

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    • I know ‘Vettes’ aren’t your thing, and it isn’t that I can’t appreciate the shine and care, I do. In the end, it just wouldn’t be one I’d want – I realize I’m one of the few.

      Reliable is good, really good, actually, and having a vehicle cost more than a home for many, just seems odd to me. Yet perfectly normal for some and expected. Interesting how I can swoon over slightly lifted square box with the side window popped out on a sunny day slowly rolling through town and a whip just slightly bowed. Often times headed towards work that needs done. Somehow I hear it now, and the low grumble sounds content, if not excited.

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    • You are right and I would take the truck hence my yard but with vehicles I’m shameless. I’ll stare at any of them. This morning I was reading about a Canadian go-cart. I may have a problem…..

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    • That would be interesting, the article itself was interesting. Definitely a garage monster from a place where winters are long. Was gifted a subscription to “Old Autos”. It’s a Canadian car periodical on newsprint. Trying to hold/read it is a hand exercise. Everything from 18 wheelers to steam power. It’s a fun way to work my hand.

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    • Speaking of newspaper, this may seem like a strange response, but did you know I met a lady the other day who is deathly allergic to the ink used on newspapers back in the 1970s and 1980s? (The ink may be the same today. However, I wasn’t sure without researching it, so I thought I’d clarify.) Eventually an allergist found what was causing her sickness every Sunday after church. To the point she couldn’t help clean house, as she would have a migraine, throw up and become frail. Turns out after they would leave mass, they drove by and her father picked up the newspapers (in bulk) for the next day, and she had to sit in the backseat with them. Something quite unrelated one would think. I find that sorta fascinating, really. Who would have known.

      What a lovely gift. The giver must know you very well, so much of that gift hits your interests. Steam power has a history in my Kansas family. I’m happy to read you have found enjoyable ways to strengthen your hand.

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    • We’ve known each other a long time. He gifted that because we read them and discuss.

      Actually familiar with the newsprint (ink) allergy and I’ve laughed about it in recent years. Those rare folks couldn’t do much with newspapers (and oftentimes letters and such) so their world was limited. The digital age freed them and their rare condition became basically unheard of. Folks couldn’t do screens were almost unknown 20 years ago but as specs changed and screen proliferation killed newsprint the situation has inverted. There’s an excellent paper to be written by the graduate who sees it.

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    • I’m certain you’ll have a chuckle over the go-cart and a fantastic conversation. Glad you have those moments in your life.
      You’re correct on researching and writing on the topic. I just found it fascinating. I know people with sensitivity to smells but I think it goes past that even. Random, but thought I’d share.
      Screen time will take us all out if we aren’t careful. Icy here today. Hope your day is full of warm.

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    • It’s been in the 60s for the last 48 hours with a very light rain. Y’all would like it. Unfreeze for a bit and see some wide spread melting. Hope it’s warmed up some.

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    • Hopefully y’all will have some melting and there will be less gambling with gravity. We’ve rarely had that type of weather in recent years which is a mixed blessing.

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    • The “less gambling with gravity” had me giggling, Sir. Too funny. Yes, there has been a bit of that, you know. It’s like you can see me taking the high road over the snow in the yard and approaching the car from a different angle and not the one where I go down the sidewalk. As the snow melts, and quickly thus far this week, I’ve caught myself a few times after dark and early in the morning. I’ve nearly perfected the penguin walk…
      Snow brings the homemaker out in me. A roll I miss now that my children are grown. I adore it. The testing comes in the form of -°… nobody cares for regular routines at that temperature.

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    • In youth the stakes of that gamble are less. With time though the payout appears interesting and the payout for staying and waiting for it to melt increases. Hope your week ended on a good note.

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