Hard to believe...

...that only two days ago the snow was over my head up to my navel knee-high almost up to my ankles Where I Live Now.

Yesterday, the skies cleared and the temperatures began to rise, leaving behind some rapidly-melting white stuff and, here and there, this....

Today, the temperature got up to 50, so I shook off my cabin fever with a long walk. Thanks to the recent snow and rain, I found a new distraction amid the endless rows of brick houses....

Yes, a bit frustrating for Mr Photographer, as it was behind a fence on a big chunk of private property. Couldn't get close enough, or find a clear shot from where I was. But I'm the first to admit that if this was on my land, I'd want to keep riff-raff like me from wandering around....

Some weather forecasts call for more cold temperatures and perhaps snow by Tuesday. A pity, that...I was getting used to regular mail delivery (yesterday's was the first in five days) and taking walks again.

This...

...is what I saw when I ventured out this morning....

Full disclosure demands I admit the "venturing out" was of short duration. Being without gloves, a fuzzy hat and waterproof footwear, I had turned a distinctive shade of blue by the time I made it back inside.

Still, it was beautiful, the air was wonderfully clean and bracing, and I was reminded how much I love snowy weather when I have the necessities to face it.

Around me, however, Where I Live Now seems equally unprepared. I'm told this is not the first time snow and sub-freezing temperatures have been part of the local scene. That doesn't mean anyone here is what you would call prepared: This is the fourth day of no mail service, closed schools/businesses, and general paralysis.

That all may end tomorrow, according to the weather-guessers. The predicted high temperature is well above zero (Celsius), and that should send the white stuff dribbling for the drains. Dire Weather Warnings have expired or been retracted.

Next time I see snow -- except on TV -- I expect to be prepared. And, I hope, wherever I am, the local services are are equally prepared to even pretend to cope with them li'l white flake-things when they drift out of the sky....