This snowman was built by James E. Gibson in the small Lexington, Kentucky city park located on Burley Avenue. It is about three feet high and about one foot in diameter. Photograph taken by James E. Gibson on the afternoon of March 5, 2012.
This tree is located in the small Lexington, Kentucky city park on Burley Avenue. Photograph taken by James E. Gibson on the afternoon of March 5, 2012.
Photograph of a tree in the small Lexington, Kentucky city park on Burley Avenue. The photograph also shows part of the rest of the park. Photograph taken by James E. Gibson on the afternoon of March 5, 2012.
The holly tree this picture shows a portion of is one of at least two holly trees located between Waller Avenue and a parking lot in Lexington, Kentucky. Photograph taken by James E. Gibson on the afternoon of March 5, 2012.
The holly tree that this bird is sitting in is one of at least two holly trees located between Waller Avenue and a parking lot in Lexington, Kentucky. Photograph taken by James E. Gibson on the afternoon of March 5, 2012.
Perhaps the most beautiful snow I’ve seen in my life arrived here in Lexington, Kentucky overnight last night. The pictures I took today near my apartment do not do it justice.
Overnight we received about 3 or 4 inches of marvelous wet snow. It was a marvelous wet snow that stuck onto tree branches, bushes, etc. – but broke very few down. The sun shining on the freshly fallen snow this morning caused it to sparkle magnificently. A coating of freshly fallen snow covering objects seems to make them seem cleaner and purer.
Our weather in Lexington has been amazing during the last week! One day late last week it was sunny with a high in the 70s. Another day we had heavy rains from thunderstorms, tornado watches, and a tornado warning (though no tornadoes here in Lexington, thankfully). And now we’ve got snow!
Today’s snowfall accumulation was more than we’d received on the ground all winter up until now put together!
Usually we only get measurable snow on the ground a few times a year. On the rare occasions we get significant wet snow, it seems beautiful and fun – as long as it causes few problems.
Often the snow we receive accumulates to less than an inch on the ground and/or is a dry snow. Dry snow has less moisture and typically blows instead of sticking to things. Therefore, dry snow is not very good for making snowballs or snowmen (snowpersons if your prefer) until it melts a bit and adds moisture.
Today’s wet snow seemed almost perfect for compacting into objects. I made two snowmen. Since I am not very artistic and made them quickly, they didn’t look as good as those that many kids make. But I only saw one in the area that looked better than mine – of course that one was the only other snowperson I saw!
Perhaps few kids make snowmen now. Or maybe I just wasn't in the right place at the right time to see them. Or maybe kids are busy tweeting on Twitter or using Facebook or doing other things besides making snowmen. At any rate, this adult is not ashamed to say he had fun out in the snow! I even made a few snowballs -- and resisted the temptation to throw any at friends.
Another thing: Usually snow clinging to tree branches and bushes melts off or falls off the same day here. An unusual thing for today’s snow: Much of the snow still adheres to the trees and bushes this evening from the overnight snow. I guess that’s because the temperature remained in the low 30s Fahrenheit today, and it was overcast much of the day -- though the sun shined brightly at times.
Tomorrow the snow will probably largely melt away though. The high temperature is expected to be in the 50s tomorrow, followed by highs in the 60s for Wednesday through Friday. Our snow will likely be gone completely in a few days.
And I don’t mind it departing. I look forward to the warmer weather of spring, summer, and autumn. But I am grateful to God for the four seasons. And I love getting at least one good snow (at least a couple of inches) during the winter -- as long as it doesn’t cause problems with the roads, etc.
Today’s snow didn’t seem to cause major problems here. The main roads were basically just wet when I went out about 7:30 a.m. to do some errands using the city’s buses -- though the side street where I live was snow-covered, with some tire tracks and footprints in the snow on it. This afternoon the main roads were dry in most places.
Thanks to the government road crews for doing a nice job of plowing and treating the streets. Though there were several accidents, they mainly seemed to be minor ones as far as I know so far. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
On a sad note, I sympathize with those who are suffering from dealing with the snow, especially those seeking to search through the rubble from tornadoes that hit their areas last week. The snow makes their work even more difficult. And I sympathize with those who must do huge amount of snow shoveling, etc. – please pace yourself and don’t overexert it.
But for now, I’m enjoying this white stuff! For children of all ages, snow can be lots of fun as long as it remains rare and provides opportunities for enjoying friendly snowball fights, creating snowmen, making and eating snow cream, sledding down hills, etc.!
