Our Great Big Fat Snowstorm

It's just turned 9 a.m. and the snow is falling steadily. The wind has just started to pick up—the smaller branches of the trees outside my window have started to dance. A few moments ago, a lady cardinal landed on a tree close to my window, a reminder that I need to clear the bird feeder.

As it's moved across the country, this storm has been edging north. On Sunday, we were supposed to get about 4 inches, a nuisance storm.

By Monday, we were up to 3 to 7 inches, which calls out the shoveler and snowblower in all of us.

This morning, we're in "major clean up" territory, 9 to sixteen inches.

When we have this type of storm—not too much wind, very steady snow—the light is so soft, a very pale gray infused with white flecks. I can barely see across the river to Route 14. Our island is a blur. When the wind stops to catch its breath, the snowflakes swirl about like those white plastic bits in a snow globe. They remind me of dazed shoppers in a mall, not sure what they want but certain they need to buy something.

Then the wind returns and everything has a purpose.

Hope you are all safe out there. We have a friend who's supposed to be coming into Logan Airport this morning. Safe landings.