The Sound of Snow

         On the ranch we would know in the morning if it had snowed overnight by the sound, or better described as the lack of sound. There was a muffled, deep silence, even from within the house. If it was a heavy snowfall it most likely meant that we were not going anywhere. It would take hours before the main road would be cleared and safe for travel. In town a snowfall is signalled by the early morning snow shovelers and blowers. I prefer the soundscape of the farm but now into our fifth winter away from the ranch I continue to appreciate not having to navigate the highway. Although the roads around town can be challenging after a heavy snowfall we are able to leave the house and continue all our activities. I appreciate not having to decide if it is a “snow day”. At times on the farm there was no choice but to miss work as the road would be completely impassable and that would include emergency vehicles. There would be so many winter days that I would be terrified while driving, and arrive at work exhausted. 

       The removal of snow is always a challenge. When we lived on the ranch we were dependent on machines to clear our road, and only snow shovelled a short path to the house. Now we find ourselves shovelling our short driveway, each winter deliberating on purchasing a snow blower. We are reluctant snow shovelers, but our driveway is steep thus leaving it a snowy mess could lead to trouble. At times we have procrastinated on the snow removal to the extent that we had to retrieve our old farm tractor from our friend’s house to do a big clean up. 

The farm under a blanket of fresh snow and a sunny sky. 

Our driveway on the farm was long. 

There were a few winters where we lost the machines to do the driveway and it was absolutely impossible. Thankfully for our last two winters on the farm we had a tractor, which we needed to use along with the pick up to clear the snow. 

Our town driveway is short but this winter it was useful to have the tractor to push the snowbanks. Also I do believe that Brent likes the opportunity to fire up the machine. We are true converts to the power of machinery to get a job done. 

        This winter we lost the power to our house for two days. For the first 24 hours I was almost delirious with joy at all the comforts of the house without power. The main novelty was hot running water. On the farm when the power went off we had no water. This had significant impact on our day to day comforts. In the winter we would always be sure to have two big water containers set aside, and if it looked like the power was about to go off we would scramble to fill up vessels for drinking, cooking and washing.  In our last winter on the farm we endured a long power outage, and as is often the case, our road to town was impassable. The storm had occurred after our older son's birthday dinner, thus the whole family was together, and we remained that way for three days. The children were fine until their devices powered down, and then general unrest settled in. 

The farm house living room during our last power outage. This picture was taken on the first night when the laptops were still powered up. Brent had installed two propane light fixtures in the dining room and kitchen which were always a pleasure to use.  The picture captures how well the dining room lights lit up that space. The power went out frequently enough to warrant the extra expense of propane lights. At the time propane light fixtures were hard to find, and had to be special ordered from Willam's Lake. 
       We tried to leave the farm a few times during that storm. Our son, Aidan, was working as an electrician and was needed at work. His employer offered to meet us on one side of the road closure where a number of trees had come over the power lines. Aidan and his father set off, and were waiting on the road when another tree crashed down behind them, effectively trapping them from going either direction. Another attempt involved my husband driving a number of miles down the road, only to decide that it was impassable, and then having to drive backwards to get back home as it was impossible to turn around. 
         

The power outage in town this winter left us to enjoy a hot bath and dinner by candlelight. 
     Winter is a good opportunity to practice gratitude as we navigate the winter challenges in a comfortable home, warm clothes and a good vehicle. It is helpful for me to appreciate the advantages to living in town as it is so often with the mind where there is a pull to the negative, and all that we had to leave behind on the farm. The other seasons are kinder for living on the farm, and the ache for that lifestyle is stronger then. 
        

The Sound of Snow

Remember that day when the snow fell, and fell some more.

Morning brought  deep quiet, white stretched out everywhere. Soft at first.

The house stopped it’s electronic buzzing, lights came with the hissing of propane,

flickering candles.

Darkness and cold brought us early to bed, blankets heaped upon us.

Morning came, but we all stayed home, nowhere to go, the day made simple by storming skies.

Then came the unexpected gift, amongst the anxiety of missed work, closed roads.

We were safe, and together.

I wondered if my great grand-mother thought the same as she stood where I am now,

in the cold kitchen, water warming on stove.

She would be doing the same, so many years ago.

The winter for her much longer, with no hope of a road or running water.

For soon, we would all be off, separate ways, the house standing empty till night.

But not now, at this moment,

snow is holding us close.