Snow-Gauge Clif

Snow-Gauge Clif: The Party’s Over

66 Comments

In Maine, winter seems to be over. For this lifelong Mainer, it is nothing short of astonishing that the snow is mostly gone by the end of March. As I have written previously, in winters past, we always hoped the snow would be gone by the end of April for my daughter’s birthday, and we could celebrate on the patio. Some years we did; other years we didn’t.

However, here we are in this age of climate change, when spring in Maine starts a month earlier, and fall starts a month later. Do I like this? Of course I do. We still have plenty of winter and cold in Maine. Nevertheless, the change is disconcerting. Also, not a good sign about how the planet is warming.

But let us turn to Snow-Gauge Clif. Because of the early spring, this will be his last week this season with his trusty snow gauge.

Here are photos from the front yard, where there are only tiny patches of snow left.

The backyard is no different.

Farewell, Snow-Gauge Clif, until next winter when I think we might start measuring the middle of February rather than the beginning of March.

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Long-time readers know that I am working on Book Four of my Great Library Series—the working title is Of Time and Magic. On Saturday, I reached 70,000 words with 30,000 or so to go to finish the novel. Alas, the cover’s deadline is looming, and my plan (hope!) is to have the writing done by May. I know. That’s 6,000 words a week. Doable, but a big push.  Therefore, until Of Time and Magic is done, I will be cutting back to one simple blog post a week, which, with a few pictures and and minimal writing, will probably chronicle spring in Maine.

Friday Favorites will be put on hold until Of Time and Magic is finished. Although I enjoy sharing blogging posts from friends as well as books, movies, and music that have caught my fancy, the posts are more work than you might think.

So onward, ho with 30,000 pages to go! Of Time and Magic will be the last book in the Maya series. But I already have a new book planned that will feature the characters in my Christmas story, The Dog Angel.

Good thing I’m a homebody and don’t mind spending much of the day at my desk.

 

66 thoughts on “Snow-Gauge Clif: The Party’s Over”

  2. No snow here either, and I agree with you about it being disconcerting. I’m thinking the next generations are going to see a way different New England than you and I. Good luck with your writing, and I hope the words flow smoothly.

  4. Good luck with your writing. On one hand, it sounds like a lot of work, but it also sounds like they will be fun and exciting projects.

  5. Best wishes with your writing, you do well to fit everything in…. and exciting to have another book in your head, ready to go!
    Good bye to Snow Gauge, Clif has finished his winter chore..😁

  8. Yes, you may have to adjust your snow gauge back a few more weeks. It is astonishing how quickly the snow melts out these past few years. I just hope it doesn’t mean our summers will get hotter. :-/
    I’m excited that the next installment is almost done, looking forward to it… gotta find out what happened to Maya! Good luck with the last slog and don’t forget to get a little air and sunshine every now and then. 🙂

    1. Yes, earlier springs can mean hotter summers. Sigh. Thanks for the kind words. And now that spring is hour, I will be in the yard an hour or two a day doing clean-up, which somehow I never mind. Unlike inside housework. 😉

  10. I’m glad to see that you are getting early Spring weather (although I am not glad of the likely reason). Congratulations on achieving 70,000 on your new novel. Good luck with the remaining pages. Please keep us posted.

  11. Wow! I guess this means “mud season” was/will be shorter as well? Good for you guys, but I am sure all of the plants and wildlife are quite confused.

    Best of luck on the remaining pages of your book, Laurie. Go get ’em!
    So proud of you! xo

  12. Let’s see… With an early end to snow measuring, could you set Clif to another task? Word measuring, maybe? I tease, of course: you’re quite able to do that yourself. Best of luck with your big task!

  14. As you have noticed our weather is quite similar to Maine. The snow in the front portion is almost gone but there is some left in the back garden. The temperature scale doesn’t look promising but still I cleaned some of the flower beds.

    Good luck with your book work.

  15. All speed with your book Laurie. Good luck and as Eliza said, be usre to enjoy some sunshine in between all that hard work. I am full of admiration!

  18. Great to see the snow is almost gone and thank you Snow-Gauge Cliff for another stellar job this season! 👏 Wishing you happy writing Laurie and a successful completion ahead! 💜

  19. Now you’ve gone and done it. Put the snow gauge away too soon and you’re BOUND to invite a spring blizzard! 🙂 Good luck with finishing the book this spring!

  21. Thanks for sharing your writing adventure with us. Go, go, go! And I love the final chapter of Snow-Guage Clif. We have a wind chill of 19 degrees here today: a little taste of old Maine?

  22. Wonderful to see the return of your yard and good luck with your writing! I’m thrilled you have another book planned and I imagine the writing experience has been different with this being the last book in the Maya series. Your yard looks like it is in great shape, I’ve been picking up twigs and branches for weeks and keep finding more.🙂

    1. You are absolutely right about the last book in the Maya series. It’s been the hardest one of all because of the need to conclude the series in a exciting but satisfying way. At least I can see land now.

  23. Best of luck with your writing schedule, Laurie. I know what it takes to write a 300 word blog, so I bow down to your magic fingers that are about to produce so many readable words in a row. Wow!!! I’m glad you are enjoying more warm days, but like you, I’m sad for the reasons behind it. xo

  24. That writing challenge is a big one! Good Luck and I am looking forward to seeing book 4.

  25. Laurie, even I the optimist haven’t put away my snow shovel yet! I can clearly remember seeing ice storms in April … and having to wear winter coat, hat, mittens, and boots to Easter Sunday services. I empathize with having to buckle down and get that word count in, but I imagine you’re better equipped at doing that than I am right now. Say, maybe you’d like to have a little Monkey underfoot for the next few weeks?!

    1. Our shovel is still on the front porch, and Clif’s snow gauge is at the ready. Little Monkey makes me smile, but alas, I don’t have enough energy for both a puppy, however sweet, and writing. Sure wish I did! Hugs and kisses to mischievous, irrepressible Monkey.

  26. Like you, I find the changes in local weather very disconcerting, Laurie. One of the problems I see is that some of the changes are so gradual that many of us don’t necessarily notice them or care. We are like the proverbial frog in the kettle who doesn’t realize its world is heating until it’s too late. 😦
    I hope you will enjoy your intense writing period and make good progress.
    Best,
    Tanja

    1. Yes, I think you are right about the change being too gradual for people to notice. However, I expect the day will soon come when the changes can’t be ignored. Thanks for the good wishes for my writing.

  27. 6,000 words a week = less than 1,000 a day, so absolutely no problem! 🙂 But seriously, once you’re in the groove it’ll be over in a flash, and then you can begin serious preparations for the next one. A writer’s life is never dull!

  28. We’ve gone from temperatures up to 16 degrees Celsius and bright sunshine for the past couple of weeks down to minus 3 and snow today! We never know what it’s going to do in the UK’s spring.

  29. Out like a lion around here. 70F one day, 1/2 inches of snow in 3 minutes the next day followed by 14F in the morning, followed by 1.5 inches of thundershower in 30 minutes and 70F, with temperature dropping 8F in that time. I keep thinking that I should post my Spring Fog in August follow up blog, but winter keeps running through the neighborhood like a streaker in the 1970’s. I’m keeping some wood ready for the stoves. Enjoy your 6000 words per week pace. – Oscar

  30. I am excited to read another book about Maya and a bit sad this will be goodbye. The dog angel book is something else to anticipate because I was so touched by your tender Christmas story. A last hoorah for Snow-Gauge Clif and best wishes to you Laurie for a fun and productive spring! ❤️

  31. I am looking forward to the new book, Laurie, and I am also a bit sad it will be the last in that series. I would venture to guess there may be some future spin-off books with some of the characters?

    I loved your dog angel story, and look forward to the following book, too.

  32. Farewell Snow-Gauge Clif! Thank you for the smiles you brought these past weeks. See you next winter!

    Rooting for you, Laurie! Will be cheering you on as you near the finish line!

  34. Well done, and good luck for the rest, Laurie! You must be in two minds about bidding farewell to characters you have lived with for so long.

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