Fans of The Wizard of Oz—the movie rather than the book—will understand the title’s reference. But rather than the Wicked Witch of the West, it’s snow that’s melting.
Before we get to Snow-Gauge Clif, let’s take a look at the patio in the backyard. Time was when we hoped for the patio to be clear by April 22, Earth Day and my younger daughter’s birthday. Barring a nor’easter (more about that latter), the snow will be long gone by April 22.
And what has the temperature been? For this time of year in Maine, pretty darned warm. No wonder the snow is melting away.
Here is Snow-Gauge Clif in the backyard. Snow measurement: 1 inch. Last week, it was 7 inches. There’s quite a bit of sun in the backyard and that, combined with the warmer temps, takes care of the snow.
In the front yard, not so much. The measurement is pretty much the same as it was last week: 12 inches. But rain is in the forecast for the next few days, and I expect it will whittle the snow away.
One thing I am grateful for is that our new driveway is not in the least bit muddy. I had wondered if it would be, but when my brother saw it several months ago, he told me that he thought it would be fine come spring. And so it is.
The backyard, on the other hand, is mostly mud. Here is a print of one of Snow-Gauge Clif’s Sloggers. The mud is so thick it’s almost a-pull-off-your-Slogger kind of event when we walk in the backyard. Hope it dries up soon.
I’m tempted to state that Snow-Gauge Clif’s job is almost done for the year, but when I looked back at my blog for March/April 2024, I saw that we had a nor’easter last April that left us with a foot of snow. The storm knocked out our power and brought us smack-dab back to winter. Here is a picture from last April.
Therefore, as the old saying goes, it’s best not to count our chickens before they’ve hatched. We might get another doozy of a storm in April. Then again, we might not.
Only Mother Nature knows for sure.
***************************************************************
Watching
The movie Black Bag
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Staring, very elegantly, Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, who surely are one of the coolest spy couples ever.
This movie, clocking in at a brisk 90 minutes, is a delight from beginning to end. Intelligence officers Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) and George (Michael Fassbender) are a married couple. When the movie begins, George receives intelligence that there is someone in the agency who is leaking top-secret information, and one of the suspects is his wife, Kathryn. George then proceeds to unravel the mystery of who is leaking the information, and a cat and mouse game ensues. This movie is a sheer delight. Every piece fits beautifully to come together as a satisfying whole. If you like spy-thriller movies, don’t miss Black Bag.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Almost spring!!
It is here in all its muddy glory.
The snow is really is disappearing quickly. That film looks like one we would enjoy.
Excellent film! If you like spy stories. Which we do.
Goodness, looking back to last year’s photo it’s difficult to believe it is possible for you to have even more snow. I this year follows the same pattern Cliff will not be putting away his snow gauge just yet.
the movie looks intriguing. I’ve forwarded the trailer to Mr. P. Thenkas for the recommendation 🙂
We shall see! March and April can be full of surprises. Black Bag is such a good movie.
Hi Laurie, yep. WE are ging to watch Black Bag. Thanks for the recomendation. 🙂
I think you’re wise not to wave good-bye to winter yet, Laurie. The oldsters around here always advise not planting anything until May 15 (but I think that, with climate change and all, that might be a bit on the late side these days). Still, it’s really hard to see how much your snow has melted. Does that mean Maine is suffering drought conditions?
We might still get some more snow. We shall see. Not drought, but dry. The rain will help.
Although I know snow remains a possibility, cheers to the blast of warmth that removed much of it. While on the Alabama coast this winter, it snowed 7.5 inches one day … breaking a record from the 1890’s.
That’s a lot of snow for Alabama!
… and southern Alabama at that!
Call me crazy, but I really like that boot/shoe print photo Laurie. The colours are quite nice 🙂
I don’t think you’re crazy at all. I was thinking the exactly the same thing. 😉
Hi. My wife and I plan to see Black Bag soon. It’s right up our alleys!
A terrific movie! One I would like to see again.
Have not seen snow for over 30 years but shall certainly look out for the film with our Cate Blanchett in it . . .
It’s a good one. And Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actors.
Mother Nature likes to keep us guessing. Interesting to see that your temperature is only 2 degrees C less than ours today.
Fun to think about that. But it has been abnormally warm for Maine.
It’s crazy warm for this time of year! What happened to our usual St Paddy’s Day snowstorm?!
Very warm. Too warm. But good for the heating bill.
The difference between your front and back yards is remarkable. It proves the power of trees and shade to keep things cooler, both in winter as well as in summer.
Yes, remarkable! In places that deal with heat, I expect that trees make a real difference.
Wow! What a difference from last week!
Yes, yes!
Ah, mud season… wouldn’t be spring without it!
Right you are! That happy time of year. 😉
I hope that it is not a bad year for the mud. I must say that I might get quite depressed if the result of the snow going was getting mud. I daresay that you are used to it though.
We are indeed used to mud. But that doesn’t mean we like it. 😉
Fair comment.
I love when Snow Gauge Cliff makes an appearance!
A fun time of year! Winter is receding. Spring is coming.
Yeah for spring!
It’s “Clif”, though, not “Cliff”, as I spelled it. Apologies!
No worries!
Hi, Laurie – Hopefully Snowgauge Clif’s job is done for the year. Richard cut are lawn today — a definite sign that Spring is here! ❤
My, gosh! Mowing the lawn in March!
We find ourselves swinging between fierce summer temperatures and cooler autumnal days – this tends to be a mixed up time of the year.
Autumn and spring are like that.
Let us hope the snow subsides completely
Fingers crossed!
Sounds like a film for me! We love mysteries here — especially if they’re 90 minutes or less!
Such a good movie!
Dear Laurie
Winter has gone here now. We still have some frost in the night but sunny and warm days with around 7 C degrees. The daffodils and the tulips are out, and there is spring in the air, the winter chill is gone.
Spring will come to you as well soon.
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
So pretty to have the daffodils and tulips in bloom. Not yet in Maine but soon.
Hooray for the big melt. That brown grass is a beautiful thing. 🙂 I was tempted to put a couple of shovels away yesterday but decided I was tempting fate so I kept them handy. Happy spring, Laurie, and it’s getting close to moving the patio furniture out. 🙂
We were thinking exactly the same thing but decided not to for the same reason. Didn’t want to tempt fate. Won’t be long until the patio furniture comes out, but first the mud needs to dry. Spring in northern New England!
We have a saying here, which you maybe have too, that seems appropriate to the predicament you describe: “it ain’t over ’til its over”. But hopefully April will be kind to you this year, and Clif can allow his snow gauge to gather dust once more.
A very good saying for winter in Maine.
So good to see it’s melting Laurie, fingers crossed the mud will soon dry out too! 🧡
The first thing I thought of when I saw your post title was The Wizard of Oz (the movie). 🙂 Glad to see you’re moving towards spring. Like you, I’m not counting out winter just yet. We’ve been known to get a big snow, even way down here, in late March/early April. I’m wondering if it’s the same up on the mountain.
The melting witch is a memorable scene. Time will tell if more snow is in store for both of us.
I always enjoyed The Wizard of Oz, but I didn’t make the connection with your title. In fact, even thinking about it, I still can’t make the connection. Perhaps I need to rewatch the film! I do love seeing your snow melt. I like both spring and autumn because of the transitions and the swings in the weather. I do wish we had a little less wind right now, and a little more rain, but things will settle eventually.
When Dorothy throws water on the Wicked Witch of the West, the witch says, “I’m m-e-l-t-i-n-g-g.” And proceeds to melt.
We’re going from 70 degrees today to a chance of rain/snow and much colder temperatures the next few days. It was nice at least to see your patio area even though you definitely would not want to lose your shoes trying to get there!! That April snowstorm looks gorgeous, but I hope Clif doesn’t have to measure that much snow again this year. The movie is on my watchlist!🙂
70 degrees! Holy cats! Fingers crossed we don’t have an April snowstorm.
You are getting some warm temperatures in Maine!
I was intrigued by the trailer and couldn’t resist looking up the movie so I know how it ends. 🙂
Very warm! It’s supposed to be 60 this weekend. Yikes!
Good to hear the snow is melting where you are, Laurie. I feel that spring has truly arrived here as the temperatures are on the rise!
I’m hoping to catch Black Bag next week, so it’s great to see you enjoyed it. 🙂
We all really enjoyed Black Bag.
I enjoy spy movies, and I’ve not seen this one. Thank you for the review.
Laurie, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some warm temps. I remember prior blogs with unexpected storms, power outages, and other unforeseen events. I know you’re prepared.
We really enjoyed Black Bag. As for unforeseen events…April is notorious for them.
We haven’t seen much of Snow Gauge Cliff this year but even so I hope you don’t get a storm.
Right? March in Maine isn’t what it used to be.
It sure looks like spring! The weather is almost the same here, you never know, there might be a snowstorm in April.