NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: In like a lion

From my dining room window

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: In like a lion

The first ten days of March 

did come in 

like the proverbial lion

and I watched my woods fill up with snow,

plein air from the window 

of my house 

and my studio

From my studio window

Skiers rallied, 

snow lovers rejoiced, 

and the long time residents said,  "Finally."

8 inch deep puddle!

But March didn't roar for long.

Temperatures soared, at least for NH, to high 70's. 

Mud season was upon us...

With the frozen ground thawing on the surface, 

and snow melting fast,

there is nowhere for the water to go,

but to mix with the top un-freezing layers..

thus, 

large puddles and much mud possible.

On the equinox, (March 21) Newspaper headline read,

SPRING IS HERE, WINTER WASN'T!

A hike up a mountain over looking Squam Lake

(setting for "On Golden Pond" for those who remember,)

showed ice melting, snow bare slopes and 

an early blooming hepatica!

Only a teaser!

Mt. Washington lost its snow,

but today the snow is back. 

Tomorrow? Next week?

Maples are budding, 

but it's still freezing at night.

Nature is a multi-media art installation:

always changing,

but definitely worth watching...

Check barbaramcevoyartist.com for new paintings and the new page of snow scenes.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCENES: Roofs and Snow

New Hampshire Scenes: Roofs and Snow

The snow came (6 inches) 

and 

came again  (12 inches) 

and

like most of the snow bunnies

I took to the slopes

but only between the required

shoveling

and 

roof raking

This is the end of a roof rake
which has a 36 foot sectional pole attached to it, 
to be used when the snow piles up 
to the point of danger from too much weight
or from sliding off the roof onto people coming out doors 
or onto decks and balconies with railings.
A rain and a good freeze can turn it all 
to very heavy ice, 
    then a good slide can wipe out even a sturdy railing.
 



Many homes have metal roofs, 
which help the snow (or ice build up) to slide,
and no gutters, of course.


And the roofs are best that are steep,
on both sides
or steep on one side, 
and shorter and not so steep on the other side.

 or some variation....

My house is steep on one side,

not so steep on the other,

with a balcony overhang

that allows me 

to rake the roof,

which I do 

before possible rain/ice develops.

Then I shovel the balcony! 

No complaints though. 

Look at the marvelous pitch pines 

that keep me company.