Last year, almost to the day, the photograph above was recorded from the Boothbay Harbor side of the Southport bridge. Although we had a relatively limited snow season, it was chilly. Even the crows in this photo knew enough to take advantage of the less severe weather and possible offering from Craig Sproul's Linda Lee, which was heading back to home dock.

I hesitate to celebrate our relatively “open” winter. Seems I recall someone suggesting to me that one should not look a gift horse in the mouth. So, I will cautiously say that I am grateful for the reasonable lack of white tonnage here on the coast.

For those who work outside in winter — that would include yours truly — the lack of snow has allowed access to projects derailed by massive snows. Items like roofing and patching roofs. Even in the best weather, this is tough work. Anyone who has ever carried a bundle of shingles up a ladder, in the best of weather conditions, knows. In the cold, its even worse, as parts of the body actively resist. My body is far more reluctant these days.

In the year of one of our most recent larger snows, 2014, I believe, it was all I could do to keep the roads at home clear. Thank goodness for our bucketed Kobota tractor. The plow trucks had a fit trying to keep the snow pushed back as they scurried from drive to drive. Roadsides just kept falling back in, plus winds drifted too. I was lucky to have pushed the early snow way back. Dumb luck I guess.

So, as we find our way through yet another winter, there are silver linings.

A fair amount of snow blankets upcountry, I am told. It can be found elsewhere. For the time being, however, I am grateful for the chance to catch up and patch.