VALENTINE’S DAY BROUGHT our first measurable snowfall since Halloween in this unusual snow-drought winter here in Minnesota. I haven’t missed snow, especially after last winter’s exceptional record snowfall that caused even the hardiest of Minnesotans to wonder if the snow would ever end.
A winter with minimal snow makes life all-around easier. I doubt anyone living in our state would deny that. It’s easier to navigate without snow-packed roads and sidewalks. Randy’s commute to work on icy roads Thursday morning took 50 minutes rather than the typical 32. And no snow also means less work as in no snow to blow, blade or shovel.
Thursday morning I had about three inches of snow to clear, not much really by Minnesota standards. I bundled up, starting by pulling long johns on under jeans. Then I layered a fleece-lined sweatshirt over a tee and flannel shirt topped by a lightweight jacket. I clamped Snow Trax onto snow boots. A stocking cap and mittens completed the ensemble.
I headed out the back door into the garage to grab the scoop shovel and the wide-bladed plastic snow shovel. I knew it would take both to effectively clear snow.
It was a beautiful morning with a white landscape set against a backdrop bold blue sky. Snow outlined branches, layered evergreen boughs and seedheads. And the sun glittered diamonds across the snow. Anytime the sun shines in winter, I feel better. There’s something about sunshine that offsets even the coldest temperatures, the deepest snow, causing spirits to soar.
As I pushed and scooped the snow from the sidewalk and driveway, I felt my stomach, leg and back muscles tightening. I worked at a steady pace, not pushing myself. Soon I found myself overheated. I unzipped my jacket, then the sweatshirt. I felt like I was sweating, even with a temp below 20 degrees. Shoveling snow, even if only a few inches, is a work out.
Scrape. Click. Scrape. Click. Scrape. Click. Melding with the scrape of the shovel and the click of studs on my Snow Trax was the splash of tires on the wet roadway. In February, the sun is strong enough to melt remaining ice and snow from hard surfaces cleared of initial snow. I wanted to get the snow off the sidewalk and driveway so the sun could melt the thin layer of ice and snow I couldn’t completely shovel away.
I labored an hour shoveling snow, finishing on the south-facing patio. Randy grills year-round, so our patio always needs to be free of snow. As I pushed snow, I remembered the bouquet of mostly dead flowers I’d tossed out two days earlier. I pulled them from under the snow, laid them atop a patio table. The purples, pinks and greens contrasted against the virgin white snow, visually pleasing me.
On this Thursday, this day after Valentine’s Day, I didn’t mind the snow all that much. It felt, in a way, like the first snowfall of the season. Magical. Beautiful. And definitively more like Minnesota ought to appear in mid-February.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love how you turned the experience around from a negative to such a beautiful positive.
Thank you! The new snow under that bold blue sky truly was beautiful.
Beautiful. Lots of work however and glad you did Ok even after your eye surgery recently. Enjoy the wintry scenes. 🙂
Kathy, it’s interesting you mention “even after your eye surgery recently.” My surgeon told me I could shovel snow, even right after surgery. No way could I have done that. But now, yes. My biggest challenge in recovery now is with my brain coordinating with my new vision. I feel overwhelmed when I am in a busy environment or engaging in conversation for a longer period of time or trying to listen intently. It’s as if my brain has way too much input and that exhausts me. That could also be my long COVID surfacing also. I need to pace myself and not push myself. Easier written than done.
so glad u are able to do these “fun” things now and improving so fast!!! Amazing. !
It is amazing. I need to give myself grace sometimes when my eyes itch and hurt, etc. and remember “it’s only been 3.5 weeks since my surgery.”
The consensus seems to be that our lack of snow this winter was due to an unusually strong El Nino. But that is expected to ease off by April and (maybe) be replaced by a La Nina in August (this is weather, so no promises). If so, we might have a more “normal” winter next year – but, hopefully, not one that feels like it has to break snowfall records. 🤨
Time will tell, I guess. I’m ok with minimal snowfall. Last year really tested me, all of us Minnesotans, I think (except those who really, really love snow).
My sister was just saying she felt cheated in Ohio this year with very little snow and a lot of gloomy weather instead. We haven’t gotten any at our house but have had our share of cold weather.
We have experienced an excessive amount of grey and gloominess here, too, this winter.
I’m kind of glad we missed the snowstorm. ha
And you’re missing cold weather today and tomorrow.
YAY!
We got 9inches once in early January and another four or so a week later – but the 2 or so we got Wednesday evening was all we’d had since then. So strange. We had 30 swans on the partially open lake this morning!
Oh, what a delight to see those 30 swans on an open lake.
Yes! Amazing!
I’m glad you found the magic in the snowfall! It was so beautiful. That white blanket in the sunshine is definitely a mood-lifter!
It’s easier to find magic in snow when it’s not overly-abundant, like last year.
😆
I especially love when others choose to see the beauty in winter and the snow. I don’t even think we got 2 inches here in Rochester. I miss the snow so much this winter! I do not recall a snowless winter like this one. I have to see those flowers look quite beautiful against the pure white snow ❤️
I figured you were having a hard time with this nearly snowless winter.
We had a small amount of snow over Valentine’s Day as well. Your flowers are beautiful in the snow. Too bad flowers wont continue growing in the snow. That would make winter days more cheerful.
The flowers lasted for three-plus weeks, which is remarkable. I probably could have salvaged some from this bouquet, but they were starting to make a mess.