Friday, January 28, 2011

The life cycle of a Virginia snowman




Since it's almost Christmas and still not a flake has fallen I thought I would re-post this little story from a couple years ago.  Enjoy your holidays and as the song says I hope there's snow and mistletoe...just enough, not a ton, just some flakes and ground cover.

The week’s snowfall, although forecast to be much more, brought only a measly two inches or so.  I’m not complaining by any means. I know a lot of people got a foot or more. Even with this puny amount of snowfall I had an overwhelming desire to build a snowman.  I would just have to improvise. I know snowmen in my part of Virginia, even pygmy ones have a life span similar to a fruit fly, but I figured what the heck.   I always enjoyed scientific experiments so I figured I would document the life cycle of a Virginia snowman for posterity.

9:00 a.m. – I realize there will not be enough snow to build a regular size snow person so I settle on a miniature one.

9:18 a.m. - I look out the window at the snow and calculate where the best spot would be.  Since the snow is a bit crusty I decide to wait a few minutes for the snow to get a bit wetter.

10:00 a.m. – I check out the snow and it appears to pack well enough to get to work.  After all I only need a small amount.  In order to avoid a trip to the Chiropractor, I settle on a bench to start my experiment. 

10:05 a. m. – Bonus! I find out that a mini snowman gets created much quicker than the larger kind.  I use some peppercorns from my kitchen for his features, wrap a scarf around his neck, and put a doll hat on his head and step back to admire my creation.  Darn, he doesn’t come to life so I guess there wasn’t any magic in that hat.



10:10 a.m. – Finished!  His day begins.

11:15 a. m. – I go outside to check on my snowman and find he is sitting in a puddle.  Oh no, the melting has stated.  He looks a bit bedraggled and has lost an eye.  Note: Virginia winters are not very kind to snow people.

1:37 p.m. – The end is near.  I go outside and discover that he has fallen, and yes, he can’t get up!  His hat is upside down and filled with cold water.  It is the beginning of the end.



3:00 p.m. – Nothing left but a puddle, a hat, a few peppercorns and a very wet scarf.  Farewell, little snowman. I know, I know I won't cry,  you will be back again someday!



J

12 comments:

Lee Pierce said...

What a handsome snow dude he was!
Thanks for sharing his life story :D

Wanda said...

Oh what a delightful picture story. You mini snowman is just the custest thing...that scarf and hat... and the his demise...so sad, but that last picture of the scarf and hat...priceless.

Btw, you mentions you have lots of sky pictures...interested in joining our Sky Watch Friday? If not maybe you would let me post one of your skies, and give you credit for the photo of course.

First Draught Farm said...

Awesome.

Carol Blackburn said...

Crystal......he was sooooo cute. Love the red accessories. He melted my heart!

Anonymous said...

Crystal you have the most wonderful imagination!!! This was a terrific posting...the story and the photos-perfect!!!
Remember...just like Frosty your little snowman will return to play again someday :)

Heather said...

awwww....he was so cute. I love this experiment!...and next to the can! how fun! sorry to hear you didn't get that much snow. we got 16 inches (NJ). untile next snowfall mr. snowman! glad to hear you started yoga again! yay! xxoo

Magic Love Crow said...

I love this post Crystal! Thanks for the smile! Your little snowman was soooooooooo cute!!!

Franz said...

:-)))) Beautiful and fun post!!!

Ciao!!!:-)))

Liz Revit said...

Love this little snowman's hat.

Anonymous said...

That was inspired...how creative is a minature snowman...the hat the scarf the peppercorns and the aluminum can for height comparison! So dashing in his prime so diminished at his melting! But as you say, he'll be back again someday! Yay!!!

Leovi said...

Beautiful and ephemeral snowman. Chronicle of a Death Foretold.

Kay said...

Thank you for the lovely little snowman story, bittersweet little fellow he was, but he surely brought joy in his short span, didn't he....love....

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