We received just enough snow for the kids to make their annual snowman. Every year in January this happens. The snow comes down in the morning, we run out and play for about 30-40 minutes until faces are red and cold, and then we come inside for hot chocolate.
By the early afternoon, the rain has returned and we watch as the snow turns into slush. The snowman stands alone in the green grass and then slowly melts away into nothing but the decorations we so lovingly put on him.
And now as Western Oregon's "REAL" winter weather arrives, I stand and watch the rain. I know it is snowing at the higher elevations and the mountain snowpack is getting its much needed levels, but rain is depressing.
Soggy, drenched, flooded, soaked, sodden, and sopping are words that come to mind. Also muddy, sloppy, squishy, and mucky describe my yard.
A river runs down the street and fills the ditches along the edges. I am glad I live at the top of my neighborhood and not the bottom where the water collects in a huge puddle. The small creek in the nearby grass fields has flooded it's banks and covers acres of farmland. Down the road I watch the sheep huddle together under a large fir tree and imagine the stink of wet wool.
It's raining in Western Oregon. It's not surprising. It was expected. But, as water overflows my gutters, cascades down the windows, and seeps into my soul, I wish it were cold snowflakes instead of the damp wet. Sometimes a little bit of snow just isn't enough.
As we would say - that snowman is adorkable! We're ready for the temps to warm up and the snow to turn to rain. It's ridiculous here. When they talk about the windchill in Vancouver something ain't right.
Posted by: mark | January 18, 2012 at 08:56 PM
I heard about the family that drove into a creek thinking it was a parking lot. So tragic! What are the odds??
You guys ge safe. Love you.
Posted by: Amanda | January 19, 2012 at 09:03 AM
Wonderful snowman..I heard you were getting dumped on..my sister in law at Monmouth said 4.5 inches of rain in just a little while..stay safe:)
Posted by: Far Side of Fifty | January 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM