Before my Saddam-capture wakeup call this morning, I knew I was already in for a treat: waking up in the middle of the night, I looked out the window to see a gauzy, white haze. Snow! Thanksgiving's present was followed by another storm; both melted from a temperature ridge about a week later, but over the past three days Northern Ohioans have watched flakes drop in short sputters of flurries. Last night, of course, a considerable shower moved past, leaving my locality with about four inches. That vanguard has been followed by several waves, the last of which is passing through - its snow drifting by my window - as I type.
The view? It's beautiful. I can now clearly see undulations of the valley to my southeast; though the wind faces of deciduous trees, mostly maple, are caked with white, evergreens are memorably recognizable by their heavily laden boughs. The sky, overcast and low-hanging, is only two or three shades darker than the snow - perfect, as when it's snowing I prefer clouds to sun.
I took a few pictures. With a little luck of the lens, they'll be windows into the moments and impressions of today - freshly fallen snow, its serenity, the undeniable feeling of a wintry Christmas.