The window frames the Catalina Mountains, famed as the southernmost ski area in the nation, Mount Lemmon Ski Area, at an elevation of about 8,000 feet.  Sheriffs’ cars block the Catalina Highway and only those vehicles with chains and a reason to travel the road are permitted through the roadblock.

Tonight, New Year’s Eve, the temperature in Tucson will be cooler than that of Time Square in New York City.  Revelers in the streets watching the huge Waterford Crystal Ball drop will be warmer than those who plan to whoop it up outside in the Old Pueblo.

The Big Apple has all the snow of the recent storm cleared, and probably dumped into the Hudson River. From my vantage point, looking through the green leaves of the oleanders and the sticks which are the branches of the pomegranates with several half eaten fruits forming interesting geometric type circles, plus the lacy leaves of the mesquite, I see the cloud cover descending.

The peaks of the Catalinas are only a foggy remnant of distinct mountain tops.   I know the snow is falling.

I showed property this morning off the Catalina Highway and reprimanded myself severely for not bringing my camera.  Snow continued to fall in some areas of the Catalinas, almost a mist rising in the air, or descending from the heavens, however one wishes to see the phenomena.

Usually craggy, showing great personality and character, the mountains stand in the distance, assorted browns from a sand to a burnt sienna, and depending upon the amount of rain, shades of greens ranging from a burnt brown green to a verdure, fresh, crisp green, like the inner leaves of celery or romaine lettuce.

I hail from New England where snow is a part of winter life.  I could marvel at the diamonds in the trees and the white virgin beauty of a fresh snowfall, but too soon it became snowplow brown, and was cursed as a slowdown to east coast life.

Like rain, snow is an anomaly.   Snow falls, we grin from ear to ear.  Rain comes, we dance in the streets.  We admire the beauty of the sifted confectionary sugar upon our mountains like sifted confectionary sugar upon a delicate but deeply satisfying dessert.   That, with a good cup of full bodied coffee soothes the soul.

I choose to think this as a good omen and the gods of weather are telling Tucson, 2011 is a new year, and the snows will bring spring water to the mountains which will bloom as truly Tucson will do.

A safe, happy, joyous, healthy, and prosperous 2011 to you and those whom you love.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 1st, 2011 at 9:18 am and is filed under Celebrations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.