A winter storm has come to eastern North Carolina. Of course, the coastal folk, of which I am one, were spared the ice and snow. I rarely consider snow a hindrance. I am told, by those who live in wintery climates, that snow, as it begins to melt, re-freeze and melt again holds no beauty. The delicate flakes coming down quietly, transforming the world around us into a winter wonderland lose their form and beauty over time.
One winter I travelled to Pennsylvania on business. I saw for myself the truth of a snow gone bad. Pennsylvania was new to me. The effects of a long, dreary winter were new to me. Buildings, sidewalks, streets and plant growth were a dingy, gray of melted and refrozen snow. Car fumes,over time, darkened the refrozen snow to a listless, shade of grey with dark streaks running through. No sign of the beauty of snow remained. I remember thinking how sad to live where dingy, gray dominates the color palette. Gray skies mocked a hope of spring to come. My spirit was overwhelmed by the dark, cold, wintery days.
I wanted to head south for home, on the coast,where the chance of snow draws fits of giggles and redneck drivers abandon their common sense recklessly speeding down icy highways. Two days later the sun pops out, the snow melts into the ground, Carolina blue skies stretch as far as the eye can see. No gray in sight.
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