Thursday, February 05, 2009

Snowmen in Charlotte

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The tall one was only two feet high. But cute!

Late on Tuesday afternoon, fifteen of us sat around a conference room table discussing cut-backs in spending and reducing 2009-2010 budgets when someone across the room woke us up with an impromptu shout, “It’s snowing!” Our eyes were on the window instantly where we saw about ten flurries then howled when another hopeful shouted, “Snow day tomorrow!” HA! An intended joke.

The early evening clouds were low and dark. The breeze was slight and the air was warm at 44 degrees but provided occasional snow showers that were so pretty. It was the kind of weather I pay attention to, standing in the middle of yard, looking up, regardless of what the local forecasters predict. Mother Nature fooled them.


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It was most beautiful as it fell faster in the late evening and by the time I forced myself to go to bed, it look like this. I liked the quiet, muffled sounds of Chloe and Bella's footsteps to the outside, then in.

If you don’t know me, I miss mid-Atlantic snow and the lifelong memories attached of laughs, chapped cheeks, snapshots, hot chocolate, and a few pairs of wet mittens lined up to dry near heating vents in the kitchen. And a Flexible Flyer with blades so sharp…

Wednesday morning,

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Mocker knocked himself out trying to get to the Zick Dough before the Starlings arrived.

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“What? What? What do I do? Where do I go?” I love Killdeers and their worried little faces.

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The children in Charlotte were happy, at last.

Our snowfall accumulated a few inches. It was the most snow I've seen since 2005, and as expected, it disappeared in sunny spots after the lunch hour.

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I laughed at a pair of Mourning Doves swaying back and forth on a fresh serving of sunflower seeds. Somehow, they manage to fit on the smallest of feeders and never, ever go hungry.

On my way back inside, I glanced down to my left. A pile of feathers had scattered in the breeze as evidence of a satisfied hawk earlier that day...

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Oh.
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31 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Glad you got a bit of a snow fix there May.
Love the Killdear caption- I never noticed their worried expression before. Also love the Cardinal peeking over the snow.

Kim said...

Love the little snow men. The kildeer photo is so cute. That's another bird I have yet to see and can't wait to search form him this summer.

I am glad you got some snow to enjoy!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Yes, you got your token snow Mary. The snowmen are cute. Not many were made here since it was so darned cold to go with the snow. Not very good snowman making snow when it is so cold. Good sledding though.

I think the cardinal looks like he is in jail. It appears as though he is peeking through the bars.

Have a great weekend.

jane augenstein said...

Yippee you got snow! Cute little snow men. What??? No pictures of the girls in the snow?

Susan Gets Native said...

That huge carrot sticking out of that tiny snowman....oh, wow. I'm all happy now.

Sounds like you got what we had the other day. It was fluffy and pretty, wasn't it?
Damn snow.

Anonymous said...

Great snowman . . I think the one's nose is a little big! LOL poor Dove . . . why can't it be the house sparrows that get whacked!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to our world! The snow does freshen things up. I hope it didn't cause too much trouble down there.

LauraHinNJ said...

Fun pics, Mary! Glad you got to enjoy some memories of *home* even if it was short-lived.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Glad you got some snow in Charlotte, Mary. We got about the same amount--but then it got really cold and we had more snow--but it was that powdery stuff that just blows around. I love the wet kind that clings to everything. You got some GREAT pictures.

Oh I hate to see the hawks get those little birds---but I keep telling myself that he has to eat also...

I have never seen a Kildeer... Maybe one day I will..Sigh!

Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Hey Mary lovey snow. And the snowmen are so cute. Did the birds scramble to the feeders? They do here when it snows.

KGMom said...

I can't believe it--even you in NC have gotten more snow than we have here in central PA.
Oh, except 2 days ago, one little spot got 12 inches! Sort of the winter equivalent of a thunder shower. We just can't get snow at my house. I know, I know--plenty of folks would happily dump all their snow on me.

beckie said...

So happy that you got a snowman snow! I know your birds must all have wondered what was going on as did your girls. I'll bet it didn't take them long to do their business!

Corey said...

It was a pretty morning. My first bird of the day was a Cooper's Hawk flying over the back yard. No sparrow snacks in my candy bowl yet buddy, come back in an hour!

Rose said...

I'm glad you got some snow, Mary! This is the kind of snow I like--covering everything in a beautiful blanket of white and then disappearing the next day:) Looks like everyone in the neighborhood took advantage of the snow--cute snowmen. What did Bella and Chloe think of this?

NCmountainwoman said...

I just loved the snowmen! And I'm happy you got a snow fix, however short-lived it was. Great photographs and post, Mary. Just like always.

Diane AZ said...

Really enjoyed your delightful snow pictures. I've never lived where it snows, but it sure looks pretty in photos. Your killdeer pic and caption are so cute!

Cicero Sings said...

D's nephew live in Charlotte ... I bet their kids were excited.

Those Killdeer do have such worried faces! We don't have Mourning Doves here.

The snowmen were cute ... usually our snow is too dry for good snow men but come spring it softens up. One time another nephew made a gigantic snowman ... they had to use a ladder to put it together. A motor bike tire rim was the base for its hat.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a killdeer before and love those stripes!

Kerri Farley said...

You got more snow that we did!
Maybe an inch here....but COLD.
However....this weekend is supposed to be near 60. Yippee!

What cute snowmen...and your birds are adorable as always!!

Wendy said...

What fun! Snowmen! I like your little cardinal as it peeked out from the snowbank. And the killdeer. You captured their innocence so well.
Have a good weekend. And no snowball fights! (yeah, I know, the snow melted).

Tina said...

Mary,
Yeah!! YOU and Betsy both had snow..it does make for a pretty site and esp in the morning light...when all is softly covered with that layer of white! sorry didn't mean to make that all rhyme :( Your photos looked wonderful and very wintery!! Loved the peeking cardinal and the shot of your pond..still thinking about doing a pond after seeing how pretty yours is in all your diff photos! Hope you had the day off..or maybe a late start! Enjoyed your post..as usual :)

Anonymous said...

Even with 28 inches of snow on the ground here in northern New England (and high temps of 5 and 11 degrees these past two days- not to mention the below zero wind chills) I still understand the excitement of those first few flakes! Hard to believe but I can still find the humor in Mark Twain's infamous quip : "In New England we have nine months of winter and three months of darned poor sledding." !
Enjoy!

Naturegirl said...

Mary I am giggling looking at the snowmen because they picked up all the snow ..and left the green grass peeking through. Here we have tons ..lots for big hefty snowmen with much snow underneath!
Love the look of your pond w/ the snow around it and yes sliding in the snow is a FUN thing for the kids!
Hurrah you got your snow wish!
Ahh..may that bird rest in peace..It's bitter sweet to see the feathers.

JeanMac said...

You did get a "dusting of snow" didn't you?
Looks like fun for the children if snow is rare there.

Ruth said...

I would call this a real snow fall compared to the last one you had. Snowmen always make me smile.

Cheryl said...

Glad you got some snow Mary....the novelty has worn of with me....
I do agree with you though, I to love it when everything is hushed......

I love the little worried bird....such a cute picture......

Hope more snow comes your way....feed your soul Mary.....

RuthieJ said...

What's the word Mary? Is this going to be a record snowfall year for you guys?

I found a similar pile of MODO feathers next to one of my feeders the other day too. :-(

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I'm glad you got your snow, Mary. Ours finally melted today. I don't mind fresh snow, but I hate it when it gets dirty and ugly.

Mel said...

Hola Mary :)
Cute Cardinal!
It seems so strange to see so much white... not used to it.

Minerva said...

Don't worry. You're not missing anything up here in MD. It's 60 degrees.

Love the killdeer! I don't think I've ever seen one before. He looks good in vertical stripes! ;)

Heidi said...

Lucky kids! Much better than the last time they went with their toboggans :)