Outdoors

I grew up in Michigan, where the really crusty snow crunched under our boots, the top layer could harden to be a walking surface or you could find yourself fence posting, you know when then one leg goes in real deeply.  That lopsided position lends itself to immediately darting eyes to see if anyone is watching.  Whether or not someone is watching determines the method of leg extraction.

There could be this, "Oh, shit." This could be accompanied by the hand to the snow slap right next to you.   You can be be rest assured, there will be no smile on your face.  Usually, though, someone saw you go in.  They appear most grateful especially if you were walking in front and marked that fence post spot for them. 

You'll hear, "Hate it when that happens," from the person behind you.  They will graciously offer a hand, which makes matters worse if you grab it and start the lopsided lunge.  "No thanks," we say and start the grunting, pushing crawling out exercise.

What really stinks if in within two ro three steps, you go in again.  No formality at this point, just sheer pissy attitude.  It is not uncommon in snow country to see someone walking in that upright, then lopsided manner for quite aways. 

I walked on crunchy snow here in Alaska today and thought about how beautiful the fallen snow is and just how much we'll go through to spend time with it.  The blanket of silence, quiet and peacefulness that rests on the earth.  I have to add, not so nice when it stops for its rest before it hits the ground, right on my windshield.