Saturday, October 23, 2010

On fluff, part two

Last time I wrote about snow, was in June. That was metaphorical snow. Summery snow. Candyfloss snow. Dandelion (or otherwise) seeds floating through the air like dust bunnies with parachutes.

Now it's the real thing.

I know it's only October. Not even late October (what do you mean it's late October? It's not! It's late-mid October, thankyouverymuch, and it is still AGES till my thesis deadline...). Even for Norway this is early. We generally can expect snow in October, but it never actually appears until November. And even then, it melts again, before proper winter sets in early December (or so). It's the law of first snow.

Thursday night, though, nature had forgotten about the law of first snow. October-schmoctober. It's snow time!

Early snow always causes problems. The subway was delayed. Cars that had not yet shifted to winter tires slid off the road like Disney on Ice. I was a popsicle in my tennis shoes and thin jacket.

And yet. There is nothing - nothing - as soothing as the first snow. It always fills me with a peace of mind unmatched by anything else I know. The fluff falling from the sky - quietly whirling through a dark, cold night, completely careless of the problems it may cause on ground - somehow manage to calm me down. There is nothing I can do about it. The snow will fall. It will cover everything in a layer of candyfloss that effectively dulls the sounds of the city, that softens every sharp edge, and hides the blemishes humans apply to our surroundings.

It is an inevitable sign that winter is impending. But it doesn't matter. The first snow always make me happy. However, I do hope it will be weeks before we have any more of it...

17 comments:

ViolaNut said...

Dustbunnies! Wait, wait, I know this one... hybelkaniner! Yes? *inordinately proud of minimal Norwegian knowledge* ;-)

M.J. Nicholls said...

Winter is happiness. Happiest time of the year for me. Let it snow!

Cruella Collett said...

Leanne - You're right! Gosh, didn't I write that in one of my very first posts, like, over a year ago? Sometimes your sticky mind scares me. You should talk to Mark about using it as a model for the iBrain prototype he is developing...

Mark - Winter has its charms. Most of which can be summed up in Christmas preparations. But it wears me out when we're approaching February and you know you can expect AT LEAST another month of snow, if not more. I'm not THAT fond of winter (and I love spring), so those last weeks are tough for me. I do like the beginning of winter, though In fact, I prefer the beginning of all the seasons. Early spring = super exciting. Early summer = yummy. Early fall = lovely. Early winter = well, see above post.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I miss snow...

LTM said...

oh! That picture is so gorgeous--I tried to comment yesterday (?)

did you see we were at the beach in *bathing suits* here last night? hello!

but I miss snow, too. It's so quiet and beautiful and magical... :o)

Kelly said...

A blogger from the north of the US mentioned getting their first snow this week, too. That's just beyond my comprehension!! Living in the South (US), we rarely get snow and certainly not this early. Heck, we usually get ice instead of snow and that's a real pain!

Cruella Collett said...

Alex - you should make Norway a stop on your book tour, then ;)

Leigh - uhm... Yesterday this only posted because SOMEONE (either me or Blogger...) got the date wrong when the post was scheduled...
And that is crazy about the beach. It's been months since that was an option even for the vikings among us here...
The pic is from Japan, btw. First snow in Akita, December 2006 :)

Kelly - there is ice too :( Some of it pretty (like the pond outside my building), but most of it dangerous (like the patch on the sidewalk that nearly killed me the other day).

Unknown said...

I'm going to see snow this year! It's like the first time in two years! My son is so excited. He wants to snowboard and go sledding. I want to stay in and drink more coffee.

CD

nonamedufus said...

Don't rush it. My wife and I just came in from a lovely walk in the woods. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful fall day. I'm not looking forward to the white stuff and the cold. Brrrr.

P.S. Did you know you're the only blogger in Oslo that I know? I don't know who that other Oslo-ite is.

HulaBuns said...

I feel the same way about the first snow fall, that is, as long as I don't have to get out and drive in it. ;)

I hope you don't get any more of it for a couple weeks though! :)

Cruella Collett said...

Clarissa - Canada-bound, are you? I couldn't imagine going years without seeing snow. Something is not right in the world if I haven't gone from glee to curse over snow at least once a year...

Noname - it's not like I'm deciding when the snow will show... And no, I didn't know that. Actually, I don't know that many bloggers in Oslo myself.

Hula - fortunately I don't really drive (at least not very often), so that's not an issue for me.

Unknown said...

Thanks for joining me on my blog, lovely to see your their. Carole.

Sue said...

Lovely post, not so sure about living in the snow. A visit every year or so is fine.
Cruella, we've just been to Zermatt and went to the icecave glacier there. OMG it was amazing. Do you have things like that in Norway? I really want to come even if you don't. It's not fair that my daughter has been and I haven't *hrumph*
A digression: Marks iBrain prototype sounds interesting, how can I find out more?

Cruella Collett said...

Carole - right back atcha :)

Sue - I don't know, living without snow would be hard for me to imagine (I've never not seen snow every winter for as long as I've lived...)
We have glaciers, but I haven't really been to one, actually. They are mostly in the Western and Northern part of the country. I'd love to see one, though, but I think you mostly have to be relatively competent in climbing and such. Without the proper equipment and knowledge, traversing glaciers can be very dangerous (I trust you had a guide or something to keep you safe, though?)

And what DO you mean I don't want to? I don't want you to come to Norway? No way! Of course I do! I love visitors! I would be honoured to show you Norway (even if I couldn't pretend to know anything about the glaciers...) And I would also love to go to Australia, though I probably won't be able to this spring... (I'm going somewhere else... Stay tuned for more news)

And yes - I want an iBrain too! ;)

Sue said...

Oh Dear Mari, no, no, no, that's not what I meant, I claim jetlag ;) What I meant was I really want to spend time in Norway whether or not you have glaciers. I'm sure you'd welcome me, and I'd even come by the bookstore...and buy something AND ask you to wrap it :) which I'm sure you do beautifully.
re the glacier in Zermatt; they've kind of hollowed part of it our and you walk in, its extraordinary. Maybe I'll blog about it. *Sigh* I started my blog for work related information for my clients, and I keep getting sidetracked, *giggles* which is a lot more fun.

Sue said...

Deary me, jetlag is horrible. I forgot to say Australia seems to have a soft spot for Norwegians, something about a similar sense of humour so I'm told. You are very welcome :) just let's know when you're visiting.

Danette said...

Love the pics and your blog. Sounds like your a busy girl! I can't relate to you on the snow thing but it is inevitable here too-- I simply grin and bear it somehow. I cannot hibernate sadly- although I would like too. :) Thanks for visiting my blog and glad you enjoyed the pictures!!!

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