if this isn't nice

This winter is teaching us lots of good lessons about snow drifts. We are more attuned to wind speeds and directions. We are learning what differences in wind and temperature can mean.

The wind blows so hard the snow turns solid. It is strong enough to walk on and breaks apart in chunks. I think this is possibly the same kind of snow that you can use to cut blocks for igloos. We’ve just been breaking it apart with spades to help clear the driveway out.

The sculptural qualities of the drifts are mesmerizing. It’s a shame to have to break some of them up.

The rabbits tracks are always fun to see. They find ways over and through the drifts and clearly have some favourite routes from tree to tree.

There are definitely better ways to do snow management, especially where the driveway curves and is open to the south and west winds. We’re making do with what we have. And we’re getting some great exercise, too. Farms are the best bootcamps. Carving our way out is a near constant task, but a strangely satisfying one. There have been points of frustration and cursing, and even occasional tears. But I’m trying to see it as a practice in being here now. We’ve worked out a system and a rhythm, and it’s definitely connecting us to our surroundings.

We’re also very grateful for the RM keeping the roads clear so we can actually go places once we’ve dug ourselves out.

We’re experimenting with some snow fencing. We’ll see how that goes next time the wind blows…