Snow!

13 inches of it! It is rare that a university has a snow day, but we did today. As an undergrad we always referred to them as "once in a lifetime" events. But I have now had a snow day for two consecutive years. [can you say global weirding?]



I wish I could tell people considering Iowa that this is very unusual, but it seems to be happening more and more often (please refer to global weirding comment above). I will say that one (sort of) nice thing about Iowa is that the snow typically melts on and off during the winter. It's not like more northern states where it just piles on top of itself until Minnesota just disappears. It snows, then melts down a few inches, then gets cold and freezes again, then snows (repeat ad nauseum). And snow is manageable. Unfortunately Iowa also gets ice from time to time. Ice is tricky stuff: impossible to drive on and nearly impossible to remove from the roads. It also brings down power lines and trees.

It does end, though, and summer comes. Eventually.

But back to today. I did what any self-respecting college student does with some free time:

Sleep! (Yes, I really do wear a hat in the house. For me to be warm the thermostat has to be set at least at 80, and there is no way I am paying that much for heat. And yes, Zephyr insists on sleeping on top of me quite frequently.)




I also played in the snow with Zef

And I watched the Biggest Loser and Cupcake Wars, read the latest Runner's World, painted a closet, put up double-track shelving in the closet, and pestered the dog.

Elsewhere in recent news...I chopped off my hair.

And ate an enormously large rice krispy bar. The picture below is after I had devoured half of it. (I might also add that I was in class designing an obesity intervention with a group....oh the irony)






Hope everyone was able to enjoy the snow in some small way, even if you're like me and hate everything related to winter.

So this post basically mirrors my day: random, fun, and full of photos.

Have a great evening all! I'll leave you with a nice reminder that sunny days are ahead....even if it is still a long way off.

~L

Fall in Iowa

I have determined that fall and spring are my two favorite seasons...though I'm not sure which one ultimately wins. But I appreciated this week how truly beautiful fall in Iowa is.

 The leaves change colors. Lawns are covered in a beautiful carpet of reds and golds and browns and yellows. (Rest assured, when I have my own yard, I will be one of those people who doesn't rake) I love the earthy tones of the whole season.

 And those rich colors blend perfectly with the rich scents that are so inextricably linked with fall. Pumpkin, apples, cinnamon. Speaking of pumpkin, I love all things pumpkin: pumpkin yogurt, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pudding, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cookies (oddly enough I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin pie).

 I think part of what makes it so enjoyable is that it juxtaposes the best characteristics of summer and winter to create a delightful season that is so very distinct. Fall is the time I can sit in the sun and be very warm, but a cool breeze plays over my skin and makes it a perfect temperature. The best clothes of winter (scarves, sweatshirts, hats) can be worn without the bulkiness that comes with multiple layers in winter. The mornings are chilly with frost but the afternoons are nice enough to wear a t-shirt.

 People are out. Running, visiting parks, raking leaves, grieving the end of summer, relishing the final warm days, and taking it all in before the bitter cold of winter arrives. The final crop is harvested from the garden, dead plants are pulled up and composted, and the soil is readied for its time of rest.

When I wake up in the morning it's chilly enough that I adore the warm comforter on my bed, but stepping out on the bare floor is not painful.

I often feel like people are so disconnected from the earth (at least compared to my rural upbringing), but it seems that a greater number of people are closer to nature during the fall.

 I do believe we have some of the best weather in Iowa. Spring and fall are amazing (so I might be a little biased...), summer is warm, and winter is cold, but not incredibly long. We have all four seasons, each quite distinct, and none of them dominate.

In February I will be questioning my sanity in not moving south when I had the chance. As much as I dislike the chill of winter, I wouldn't give it up for the world because it is part of what makes fall so enjoyable. And these are the days that remind my why I love Iowa so very much.

And though my dread of the coming cold can sometimes affect my enjoyment of fall, I just remind myself to take each day as it is, to step on all the crunchy pieces, breathe in the earthy smells, roll in the grass with my dog, and fully appreciate it all.

~L