It’s too late to qualify as a January thaw, a statistically-proven warming trend that usually occurs during the third week of January — this year, right around the time we were burrowing out of progressive snow events. But that’s precisely what made today’s 60 degree balminess so inviting. This was a hard-earned thaw.
The lumps of dirty, icy snow shrunk a little; the roads, driveways, and sidewalks got a bit bigger. I left work a little bit early to get in a brisk jog before sundown. It’s been months since I’ve seen the local bicycle path. I relished in the earthy, warm smell tinged with a chill from the remaining snow banks that cling to life — like ice cubes in a glass of warm water.
With the thaw, come the flood. One stretch of the path was completely submerged in dank meltage; since it’s too early in the season to ruin my sneakers, I followed the well-worn trail in the snow along the side. I love sliding in snow with shorts on.
I headed back home through the town center, passing the funeral parlor near the large Catholic church. A handful of dark-clad elderly people were shuffling to the entrance. What a day to be buried, on the day of the thaw, the earth relenting from the freeze to swallow you up.
The Flood on the Bike Path
