poplar road

What is this I see? Two posts in the same afternoon? Wow!

We had our first real dump about a week ago, but it was only about 5 - 8cm. It's still around though because it's been really chilly. My street is so icy! I'm not sure what the weather forecast is but the skiers are getting anxious.

Doesn't really make up for not posting for a whole month, though, does it? I've had most of the photos for yesterday's first post sitting around for the past 2 weeks and didn't get to it, but the snow and crabapples motivated me.

It was the 27th last year when we had our first snowfall stick around, so right on schedule, but I could swear overall that it's been warmer than usual. We've had snow in the forecast every week since the first dusting quickly melted at the beginning of the month, but this is the first to materialize, and by afternoon yesterday it had converted to a crust of ice. With a heavy frost on top of it, getting my car to defrost for a trip to town tomorrow morning will be fun. It takes me a while to get in the habit of starting the car while I'm still getting ready!

I haven't skied in years, but I'm sure looking forward to snow-shoeing. My dad introduced me to Merino wool (doesn't give me a rash like regular wool) so this winter I can wear my usual orthotic-lined running shoes and have both warm and happy feet while I snow-shoe. Just need some of those gator things to keep the snow off my shoes and ankles. And lots more snow. (I know, I know, WC, I can hear your eyeballs rolling round in disgust.) Here's to winter!

Incidentally, I have a copy of Patrick Lane's novel here to review, but I haven't been very motivated to read it yet. I am currently reading a Volsky I picked up a 2nd hand place in Nelson. It's called The Grand Ellipse; have you read it? It's very well-written but I'm having a problem getting into it. I think it's just my mood in general, and nothing specifically about the book.

I noticed Patrick in the lineup at the Writer's Fest last month, in a panel on poet as novelist. Wish I could have gone - it would have been an interesting talk. They're such different skill sets.

A Volsky, nice. Haven't read the Grand Ellipse, is it new work by her? There wasn't much out there when I first read one of her books. She's got wonderful prose. The only one I own is the Wolf of Winter. Notice she's in that Jack Vance-inspired anthology GRRM is editing. Just finished I&F book 4, which I dragged out since May, waiting, but peeved to see no further reference to book 5 on GRRM's website. Was hopeful it would be done in time to be under my Xmas tree! Have those Marilliers you sent on the shelf as well as Hobb's third but not letting myself crack open any more books until my writing & design business is off the ground, so will probably just wait for GRRM first.

The Grand Ellipse is an older book; 1990 I think. She hasn't had anything new in eons. I fear the only books of hers available now are at 2nd hand stores. I have no idea what's up with GRRM. My brother is fed up, and I see Amazon is saying 2013 - ha!!

It's snowing!