S’no business like snow business
I truly believe living in Pennsylvania is the best of all worlds. Each season is distinct and comes with its own beauty. And the funny part is, we look forward to the onset of each one as if it were our favorite!
Come March and April, I’m very ready for spring with its vibrant colors and floral rebirth. I’m ready to stow away my coldweather gear and trade it for short-sleeves and capris.
The beauty of the first flowers of the season is something magical. It takes the bleak brown of the yards and gardens and dabs them with brightly colored blooms. The stark tree branches come alive with buds and there is renewed life among the fauna. Spring has sprung!
And yet … we seem to be in a hurry for summer to arrive. Once here, we enjoy time at the beach, swimming in pools, picnics and lounging in the sun (hopefully wearing the appropriate sun protection!)
There is a distinct feel to Pennsylvania summers — while it can get pretty hot, generally it is manageable and enjoyable. Visits to the nearby Pocono mountains and surrounding lakes can provide a pleasant respite for those who enjoy cooler temperatures while on vacation. Ah, the dog days of summer.
But … we still yearn for autumn. The vibrant color scheme of Pennsylvania autumns is a thing of true beauty. The crispness of the air. The cooler temperatures. We don our light jackets and take walks through nature’s palette of autumn colors.
As the leaves fall, the sound of rustling leaves beneath each footstep in our yards adds an auditory component to the beauty of this season. Yes, autumn is indeed wonderful … however …
Winter! Ah, Pennsylvania winters. We never quite know what we’re going to get. Each year is different, with no rhyme or reason. Snowfalls vary immensely, and even temperatures can surprise us.
Just the other week, one day it was 61 degrees … and two days later, it was 16. No, you’re not dyslexic, 61 to 16 in less than 48 hours. Welcome to Pennsylvania winters.
There is nothing quite as mesmerizing as watching snow fall to earth. It is peaceful. It is silent. It is majestic. A white blanket slowly covers everything in sight, equally. It is as if
God placed a giant white cloth over everything, and it is serenity personified.
Yes, of course, there is the business of snow removal, but put that responsibility aside for a few hours. Go outside, take a walk, make a snowman or a snow angel, throw a snowball or just try to catch a snowflake on your tongue. It is rejuvenating!
It takes you back to the massive snowfalls of yesteryear — I remember as a child, having lots of deep snowfalls. We would play outside for hours, sledding and building snow sculptures. I can remember listening to the radio first thing in the morning to see if my school’s number was called signifying a snow day.
That joy is likely long gone, since these days there is the possibility of virtual learning for every school.
Yes, the seasons in Pennsylvania: I think they are hard to beat. Every season has beauty in moderation. The joy each one has to offer, with few exceptions, is rather like Camelot. Just enough of each season, in many ways striking an idyllic balance. I’m not sure I would ever want to trade it. Ask me again when I reach retirement age.
Let it snow!