Why is white still the top-selling sheet color? A feeling of “clean.” Why do brides wear white at weddings? Hmm…maybe we’ll leave that one alone. But this one is easy: Why does a fresh snowfall lift my spirits? Because the world looks clean for awhile.
We’ve endured too much in recent years of dirty talk, dirty accusations and a generally dirty feeling in our “city upon a hill.” It’s safe to say that nearly everyone feels it, regardless of political or cultural leanings. We try to ignore the headline, avoid the confrontation, or see the long-term gift behind the short-term challenge. But it’s been hard. A good clean snowfall is a welcome cure (albeit temporary) for what ails us. I’ll gratefully accept it. Photos and captions from the recent snowfall in Washington D.C. below…
A heavy overnight snowfall left 7″ on my patio just outside Washington D.C. The last time we saw that much was three years ago. I’ve been here through much bigger dumps, but we don’t seem to get the 12″+ snowfalls anymore.
The cold air that followed allowed for multiple snowshoe outings. In the Mid-Atlantic, the snow generally melts quickly. Not this time.
Getting out before most people leave their homes is one big benefit of a being a northerner in a southern city. I look for unusual places that wouldn’t normally be open to me, or would be crowded on a summer day. This time, it was the East Potomac Golf Course on Hains Point. The flags suggest that it was founded in 1923.
Hains Point is an artificial park created in the 1880s from dredging materials. It juts into the Potomac River. That’s Arlington across the frozen river; my home is just six miles away. I’ve biked over here many times and did several foot races around this point when I was a regular runner. (Mainly a jogger now — an irregular one.)
My out-and-back tracks. It’s so satisfying to lay tracks in fresh snow. Something about being the first person out there…
Like I said, clean. And those tree-shadows on that white backdrop! Yes. Life is good.
Drifting snow covered up the “carts” sign–where golf carts get parked, I guess. Sometimes I want to cover up our country’s arguments like this. But the cover will just melt, or blow away, or get torn away. The only way through it is to go through it. And spring will come again, one day.
Meanwhile, in the Arlington kitchen, baking during the holidays was a good respite from problem-solving. For perfect cookies, just follow the recipe. If only human relationships had a recipe to follow. (Jesus gave us one — others, too — but we seem to have trouble following. them.)
Speaking of problem-solving. I took visitors to the new (expanded) Spy Museum, where you are given a code name and problems to solve as you walk through. At the end, you’re offered a disguise for your next undercover mission and given your new ID. Hmm. I still look my age (mid-60s). I guess there’s no disguising that! đŸ˜‰
As mentioned, we’ve had bigger snowfalls in the DC area. This was eight years ago. Living in an HOA has its advantages, including snow-clearing. It’s a very neighbor-friendly area. We help each other out…sharing shovels, clearing each others’ cars, borrowing sugar, etc. …like a small town within a big metro area. I yearn for winter in the rural far-north, where I could be snowshoeing every day. But winter in the city isn’t bad.
For Many Moons 
We’re finally getting a good snow fall after many weeks of not enough.
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Yay
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