Yesterday morning when I woke up, I heard a beautiful sound- snow falling on my shutters. When I opened the shutters, I saw the beginning of a great day. I have a pine just outside my window, and it was already looking like a picture. The snow was falling fast and thick, and only got thicker as the day went on. It snowed for hours and hours, until we had a nice thick blanket on everything. I think we got a good foot and a half!
I went to my friend Jackie’s for the day- she’s the Englishwoman who married a Frenchman and now plays the piano at my church. We sat around in front of their fireplace, making occasional forays out to make snow angels and watch the sledders. At one point in the afternoon, Jackie’s son Michael and I took his 4-wheel drive truck out and pulled some skiers around behind. It was so funny to watch them hanging on for dear life! They’d be going along just fine, and then I’d see them suddenly take a nose dive into the snow- hilarious!
When night fell, Jackie decided that she was too worried about the roads to let me go home, so I stayed the night in her spare bedroom. The next morning we got up and marvelled at the snow all over again. Michael and I walked up to the baker’s in the village, and I had to stop to make a little snowman. I don’t walk very well on snow, so I pretty much slid my way around the village, up and down steps and all over the place. Everyone laughed at me, but since I was laughing too, it really didn’t bother me that much.
After lunch, we made a big snowman in Jackie’s yard with two of her grandchildren. It even has a carrot for a nose- a proper snowman. In French they call it a bon-homme de neige. I also taught Jackie’s family to make snow angels, which I’m sad to say they had never heard of. I feel I’ve fulfilled my duty, and used the snow for its true purpose. It can melt away now, knowing that it came not in vain.
I’m back home now, in Pelissanne. I had to work last night, and this morning we’re waiting for Nathalie to come home. I’m not sure how cold it was last night, but if there’s ice on the road, she’s going to have trouble. The kids don’t have school, though, so there’s no reason for hurry.
I hope the snow sticks around for a while, and doesn’t look too dirty as it melts!
Wonderful! We hit 60-something yesterday. I am actually happy thinking about both of our days. :)
Sounds like a really fun day…I’m glad you were able to enjoy it. What great memories you’re making.
I didn’t think Provence would get that kind of snow. Is that atypical or not?
(Snow always looks bad when it goes. Everything looks bad when it dies, right?)
It was a great day. I love to spend time with Jackie’s family!
This much snow (about a foot-and-a-half, I think) is very rare here. They say the last one was three years ago, and then ten years before that. Usually it’s like Oklahoma, from what I hear. Not quite as warm, and with a bit more wind, but very little snow. I came at exactly the right time!
The snow on the roadside is all black now. I really think the presence of cars makes it worse. I was glad to have it, but now that it’s melting I hope it goes quickly!