Snow So Sublime

"Victoria and Albert" in their embarrassing state of dishabille.

The stately couple continues to sublimate. Strong sun and high winds for several days have eroded and evaporated them wickedly. The Queen Victoria figure still retains a glimmer of her former curvaceous glory. Her unfortunate consort, who was not finished except for his bald head and Princess Leia earmuffs, disintegrates slowly beside her, stoically holding space for his Queen.

2″ to 4″ of snow are forecast for tomorrow — not exactly a plowable storm, but after I shovel, I will suit up for a little strategic backyard snow operation. There must be something I can do to improve the view from the kitchen until the sun melts the snow piles where the bulbs are planted. Winter still rules in Maine for the foreseeable future.

More disturbing snow people

As I watched my strange snow creations in the backyard sublimate over the past few days, I realized I had to let them go. Yes, the snow seems like good packing snow again but do I really want to venture out into wild turkey country and plump up the snow bosoms? (The turkey shit that is uncovered as the deep snow melts is unspeakable.) Not so much.

To mourn the irreparable changes in the goddess and her consort, I started looking at photos of other snow families I have created. Last year, all I made were small families. The above photo is a disturbing rendition with a filtered face I snagged from a daguerrotype. These snow peeps look spooky, grumpy and cranky… me, me and me. (I was listening to Norah Jones while I made this composite, ha!) This year, I’ve made several actual snow families of various sizes. Some of them had cool icicles spiking straight up out of their heads.  Some had bottle cap hats and the snow was so dry I had to use spit to anchor their heads onto their torsos. And finally, just like all snow creatures, they either melted or just slowly disintegrated into debris.

Tomorrow I’ll digitally document the decline of the busty snow goddess and her bald partner. Snow is forecast for Monday: there will be a bit more winter to enjoy. Who knows? If the snow packs, this could be a case for reincarnation.

Discarded snow person limbs litter the bench. Check out the drooping orange "carrot" toothpick that once served as a nose...

Icy Spire Choir.

These three were stumbling into the side of the house in the throes of their altercation. Can spring be far with action like this going on?

 

For best results, use wet snow

The Goddess got a companion. Tuesday afternoon was the last time the snow was conducive for sculpting. A light snowfall Tuesday didn’t deter me from building the bald guy. This was my only window to work since colder temperatures were forecast for the next day. Got him about half finished. He was slated for a hefty belly and a couple of arms but wind and sideways snow kicked in and I had to abandon my effort.

Still, they make a compelling couple. The third base sits idle. Maybe the next storm will be kind to them and drop some more packable snow.

The Snow Goddess Within

All winter, we’ve been blessed with that light, feathery snow that’s a luxury to shovel. No shooting back pains after a big cleanup – just a good workout. Until Saturday.

Once it started, the snow fell fast and it fell furious. An hour later it turned to ice pellets and not long after that (and for the rest of the evening) it rained. Lightning startled me from my reading at 11 p.m. and thunder just sounded wrong in February. The snow scape lit up violet when the lightning flashed and the after image was tinged with a strange magenta hue.

The next day was fabulous and warm. Ice chunks falling and water dripping off the eaves and down the gutters. The quality of the snow had changed. Finally, snow that would stick together. Dense, grainy snow that glistened and flashed in the sun.

Snow Goddess Snow. This entity assumed her hefty incarnation this afternoon and has two companion bases next to her. Waiting.

We’re forecast for a possible 4 more inches tonight.