Monday, February 16, 2009

WINTER'S RECEEDING


The temperatures keep playing see-saw. Yesterday it snowed, but not seriously. It was only those big, lighthearted, fluffy flakes that meandered down in spirals, sometimes even drifting to the side, as it gravity's hold on them was tenuous, and they weren't sure exactly where to go. Enough collected on my front porch and sidewalk to warrant to quick sweep. It was the kind of snow that my Cree-speaking friend calls (phonetically) "kee-os-KISK" - which basically means "liar" or "liar snow" - the kind of snow that may look deep, but when you go out with your pail to collect some for water to make tea, a full pail of fluffiness reduces to very little water. Coincidently, he said, it's also the word they use for "lawyer" - e.i. "the one who lies for you," he said.

The big drifts have been melting fast. We've been see-sawing between flood warnings and warning cancellations. This photo is of a some property down the road from my place; the semi-thawed ground is doing the best it can. Rain is forecast for later on this week, and even more liar snow. The lake still appears to be locked up tight with ice, but sometimes ice can lie, too.

17 comments:

Great Grandma Lin said...

I think most people are only midway to Spring, but the thawing is tantlizing. However you spell that-you know what I mean. Too bad we don't enjoy snow more guess skiers do.

Indrani said...

That is good news after a long time. But I hope there won't be floods.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Deb, Mother Nature is teasing us with this thaw.. I'm sure there's alot of winter to come... Darn!

Loved the definition of a LAWYER... CUTE!!! I don't know many lawyers I trust...

Have a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

Sylvia K said...

I hope it goes quickly! It's not that bad here, of course, and we actually have sun today!! Hey, I like the term "liar snow"! can see why it would apply to lawyers and politicians both! Been a whole lot of Liar Snow lately!

Dianne said...

I like 'liar snow' - great phrase

we're supposed to get a lot of rain later this week

Arija said...

Thank you for your kind messages in my recent troubles. All helpful thoughts and wishes helped me on my feet again.

Our Aborigines also ate the heart of the Tree Fern fresh, but it killed the fern.It is probably the curl on the Bracken, a single leaved fern that grows profusely, which is edible when cooked that you can buy.

Shelley said...

Liar snow is a good description! Yesterday in pursuit of a photo of a deer - I walked across the field which I thought only had a couple inches of snow. My second step had me in snow up past my knees. Ah winter can be cruel!

Anonymous said...

It looks a lot like this on my side of the lake, too, and we also have the on again, off again flood watches. So far, it's not as high as it was this time last year, but I think there's a lot of snow up in the hills that hasn't melted and rolled down here yet.

Anonymous said...

We are due another storm this week, but days are so bright, I am not going to worry about it.

I am going to remember that work for snow (and lawyer) it fits so well.

Kim said...

Deborah, I love all of that terminology they use.

There is a guy who has a blog with a link to check on how frozen Lake Erie is and according to him, it has dethawed considerably over the past week or so.

Here is the link to the blog if you are interested in getting more info.

http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/Blog/Entries/2009/2/16_Entry_1.html

George said...

I had not heard of 'liar snow' before, but it's a great term. Cold weather is making a return appearance down here.

wispy willow said...

A: This is a beautifully written post. Your words describing the "lighthearted, fluffly flakes meandering down in spiral" are both descriptive and poetic. I love the Cree "liar snow"... It's perfect. I hate to pigeon hole an entire profession of people... but, that is a pretty darn good description as well.

Glad to see some melting. I think that nat be another big tease, though. But, it's fun to hope!!

Avid Reader said...

Kee Os Kisk, thanks for the word!

see saw here too, but once it stays cold for a few days I get used to it and can go on a hike without feeling like a popsicle. Its really hard to adjust when it warms up too much then very suddenly drops back down to reality. That first day back to reality is a dooozy!

cleaning my muddy boots off on a fresh layer of snow.

Quiet Paths said...

Oh boy. I wondered about that flooding thing. Fascinating read about the Cree interpretation.

The Ridger, FCD said...

Liar snow - I love that, too. We had snow today - great huge flakes tumbling pell-mell and piling up - for about an hour. Then rain.

YourFireAnt said...

What an evocative photo. Where is it? Near you? In town?

Lovely!!

FA

Deborah Godin said...

@ Fire Ant - yes, it's technically part of the town of Leamington, Ontario (and down the road a ways from my house) but it's kind of the outermost reaches, just one road lined with houses and cottages, with the lake on one side and farms on the other.