Charleston finally defrosts

Charleston, SC   

We are melting, we are melting! I finally got to work and caught a little bit of snow left in the meditation garden. It has been hard not being in scenic areas to take pictures during this extraordinary snow event.

While I have you, here is a fun Charleston Ski Resort video that was quickly pulled together.

The kids get one last day out of school since many of the rural roads are still packed thick with ice but for the most part today was back to normal.

From the Perry family album:

Ontario, Canada

We walked to high school in India as a matter of course. Neighbors set clocks by Perry girls marching to class every weekday and for half day on Saturday. With book bags slung over our backs, we wore blue tunics, white shirts and socks with the mandatory two red stripes identifying students from St. Mary's High School in Laitumkrah. We climbed hill paths that turned into waterfalls during the monsoons and knew every short cut and path through the woods. We would pause at the foot of a hill during a rain storm in the rainiest part of the world, look up at the waterfall that was our usual path, balance umbrellas as we took off shoes and socks and pressed on.

My family returned to Canada for a year when I was finishing high school and I landed in what was then Grade 13 in Beamsville, Ontario living at my grandmother's house again close to three miles from the school.

Unfamiliar with Canadian winters and being our father's daughters we didn't consider how unreasonable this was and packed our bags - heavier now with thick hardcover chemistry and science books and started walking. My sisters and I had waist length braids and heading out in the morning after our showers the damp tips of our hair would freeze into sharp spikes handy to stab each other with.

We learned the new shortcuts, cutting through peach and pear orchards and rows of grapes. One heavily snowing day we discovered the little creek we usually hopped over was now a rushing river of ice. We sat in the snow and as we were used to, took our boots and socks off, rolled up pants and waded through the frigid river.

A teacher saw us walking in - Shirley, Sally and I, and greeted us with, "You Perry girls always have such healthy rosy cheeks!"

Yep. Frostbitten, frozen stumps for feet and numb toes but we looked so darn jolly and healthy.

Snow day - Charleston

Snow Day Charleston, SC 

This hasn't happened for years in Charleston! 

Happy snow day Charleston!

Charleston, SC   

We don't get much of this in Charleston! 

As long as we don't have to drive in it, the pipes don't freeze and the power stays on it is a treat to see. Stay warm kids!

God See

Charleston, S.C.

I've been hearing from people disappointed that I didn't get an overload of winter wonderland pictures in Charleston's recent snow, but c'mon people....you have to appreciate the gift I gave you in this shot. Marcheline was the only one who admitted it was going to cause sleepless nights.

"God See".

I went back the next day and pulled the board up to see if there was a hidden part of the message buried in the melted belly of the snowman, but no, that was it. God See.

I have no trouble padding the Quirky S.C. file. It will be my masterpiece.

Meanwhile, late walk around town. Black hat, black jacket, black pants, blacks sneaks. I look like a cat burglar in the dark. Don't stay up too late kids.

Real snow, fake snow!

Gillon St., Charleston, S.C.

Real snow, fake snow! Sadly in this picture, the most impressive snow is fake. I took it years ago on a lovely warm day. If you look closely you can see the hose. The second picture (below) I took on Saturday morning with just a trace of the real white stuff left.

The fun coincidence is that a gentleman was googling "snow in Charleston" and came across the fake snow scene that I had posted some time ago. He had worked on the set! He explains in comments that they were shooting a Lands End catalog scene. He recognized the camera man from years ago. I love, love, love these fun internet connections.

I have had such a good day. Wow. I have been so overwhelmed lately never feeling like I was finishing up anything. Today the one appointment I had called to cancel, the phone barely rang, email was light and hardly anyone came by my office unexpectedly. Mid day it dawned on me that it was President's Day. What a break. It was like a gift. I actually got some things done. Can we have President's Week? Y'all can take the week off and I can catch up.

More melting snow in Charleston

Charleston Snow!, S.C.

A few more shots of things we aren't used to seeing in the lowcountry. What fun this day has been. The Southeastern Wildlife Festival is in town and added camels to the mix.

By the time I was on my way home this morning the snow was almost gone so I scooped up a handful and made my own wee snowman just like all the other kids.

The Morning After

I sloshed around for hours this morning trying to stay a step a head of the melting snow. Everyone seems lighthearted and happy as if we were given a happy gift. Snow! Snow on a weekend when we don't have to get to work and it's melting off in the sunshine before the novelty wears off. Kids who had never seen snow have been in their glory.

I am on the run but will upload the rest here:

Charleston Snow 2010

Below - made me smile. It looks like we had to post a guard to keep our precious supply of snow from disappearing.

Snow in the Palm Trees

Charleston, S.C.

Snow! How perfect that it is snowing in Charleston while I am watching the opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics in Vancouver. Yipee! I know the rest of the country is weary of the snow but it only happens every ten years or in the lowcountry. We might see a flake or two but it rarely sticks to the ground like this.

My only regret is that is is too dark out to go for a walk or get decent pictures. Stay warm, kids!