Snow Porn

So I am going to just get this over with, and post all the snow-porn at one time. The tally over two days was just over a meter, just under a meter-half (about four feet.)

Although we got double what the folks in DC got, I am sure that it pales in comparison, simply because everyone here is used to it. Unlike the (oh-so sad) trauma it caused along the East Coast, life went on as usual here. In fact, many of the old farmers, despite their swearing, were secretly thrilled to have a reason to get out of the house. I have ne'er seen so much shoveling of areas that most certainly don't need shoveling. (Still, I am standing my ground, and I only shovel the space were we park our car and a small portion of the roof that collects excess amounts of heavy snow.) The worst part for us was waking up at 3AM to the sound of the neighbors very,very loud snow blower.

It did effect our Monday morning trip to the hospital, making the trip a little longer, but much more scenic (and exciting) driving through almost complete whiteout conditions. Other effects are that our eighty-eight year old neighbor was not able to go to the bath. We offer to drive her the 2km any time she wants to go, but I doubt she will take us up on the offer.

Unfortunately, it is likely to rain tonight, a disappointment for the local ski-hill which is set to have its annual free-ski & BBQ opening event tomorrow. Anyone in the area who happens to have the day off, come one out (only three hours from Tokyo)! The rain should turn to snow at night, but not sure how much. While there will still be free skiing, it might be a bit slushier or icier than hoped.

The top photo is earlier in the storm, the second/third photo is about mid-way through - and after having shoveled once and driven the car to the hospital already. Sorry, but I didn't have any good photos of the house at the end.

Above is a neighbor's house where the old man who lived there died the day before. The decorations are related to the funeral. While only relatives attend the cremation, everyone in the neighborhood lines-up outside the house to pay their respects before he body is taken to the local garbage incinerator. (Don't worry, they do have special facilities for people - it doesn't go in with the old futons.) The night of the big snow, the head of the hamlet came on the intercom asking people to make every effort to come out despite the snow. I am assuming it is to prevent a "lonely" looking send-off.

Above is a neighbor shoveling snow off the roof. He was up there for about six hours.

This is one of the wonderful village snow-blowers that keeps our streets clean and keeps us awake at 5AM. This together with the neighbors using their personal blowers at 3AM, and the sound of snow starting to avalanche off of the roof at 7AM, means we no longer sleep in until 10 o'clock.