Last Monday, when there was no snow for Snow-Gauge Clif to measure, I wondered if he might be back the following Monday. After all, in Maine in March anything can happen. Snow was in the forecast for last Tuesday, and the weekend promised to be horrible with more snow—six inches—and worst of all, freezing rain that could knock out large swaths of power in central and southern Maine.
Being sensible Mainers, we prepared. Clif got more bricks of wood from a local hardware and farm store. When he went to the grocery store, he stocked up on canned soup. Water in buckets down cellar? Check. Propane for the camp stove? Check. Lamp oil? Check yet again. We were ready.
But every once in a while, the weather gods are on our side. While we got about three inches of snow and some rain, none of it was freezing, and we did not lose our power. Happy, happy day!
As soon as we realized the weather wasn’t as bad as predicted, we settled into an enjoyable weekend at home.
We played cooperative board games.
While we played, the snow fell softly, and in the dining room, we were surrounded by a snowy afternoon, which I love, even in March.
On Saturday night, we watched the excellent Michael Clayton, a 2007 movie about a world-weary lawyer (George Clooney) whose firm is mixed up with U-North, a company that makes a carcinogenic weed killer that kills people as well as weeds. (The resemblance to Monsanto is not a coincidence.) Unlike most environmental thrillers, the story focuses on the conversations between the lawyers—mostly men—and their reactions and decisions. In short, the story is told sideways. Without the wonderful cast and script, the movie would have landed with a thud. Instead, it soared. Such a good movie. If you haven’t seen it in a while, Michael Clayton is worth a rewatch. And if you’ve never seen the movie, well, do watch it.
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Sunday Morning
And lo and behold! On Sunday morning there was enough snow for Snow-Gauge Clif to measure.
Three inches in the front yard.
Three inches in the backyard.
Will there be any snow for Snow-Gauge Clif to measure next week? Only the weather gods know.
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A Big Dose of Cute
In these uncute times, I have been looking for things to make me smile, and in doing so, I came upon Rico, a Brazilian porcupine who lives at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. Like many people, I have mixed feeling about zoos. Even at their best, they can seem like jails for animals. But, dang, I enjoy seeing Rico on Youtube, and I expect zoo visitors enjoy seeing him in person. What I really like is to watch Rico eat, especially popcorn. (I am a huge popcorn fan.) In the video below, he is celebrating National Popcorn Day. I love his little claws, his puffy nose, and his black-bead eyes. Somehow, I find it soothing to listen to those little crunching sounds he makes when he eats.
Chew on, Rico. Chew on.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Beautiful snow!
Glad you dodged the bullet with that storm. I’m impressed by how you prepare!
Thanks, Ginny. We have learned the hard way.
Glad the power stayed on. Phew. Our snow melted right away because it has been raining so much. I have not seen Michael Clayton so thank you for sharing. Also, thank you for the video. I will say Rico eats popcorn more politely than I do. For 1 min 47 seconds, I had a grin from ear to ear and for that I say a sincere thank you.
Always a thrill not to lose power. So glad Rico made you smile. We sure need those smiles. And Rico is definitely a dainty eater.
Your weekend home with the power on and light snow outside sounds wonderful. I’m trying to remember if I saw this movie. I’ve always been a Clooney fan.
Thank you for sharing Rico eating popcorn. It’s immensely satisfying. I follow a squirrel on Instagram.
We felt oh so lucky not to lose our power. I think Michael Clayton is Clooney’s best performance. Yes, so satisfying to watch Rico eat popcorn. Fun to follow a squirrel.
Yes!
Lucky you didn’t get a whole lot of snow. I saw Michael Clayton but a long time ago – might be time to revisit. As for Rico…..how cute.
We were grateful it was only three inches. Michael Clayton is definitely worth a rewatch. Rico is definitely a cutie.
Howdy. What’s the approximate latest date on which you ever had a snowfall?
The end of April.
Welcome back Snow Gauge Clif!
And Rico, oh my! I hear you on the mixed feelings about zoos, the arguments for and against. All these panda, koala and porcupine cameras afford so many hours of entertainment!
Many thanks! Yes, even though zoos are problematic, we get such pleasure in watching the animals.
Im impressed with your preparedness; sensible without going over the top 😊 Rico gives me the heebie jeebies ..but I utterly accept that is my failing not his.
Over the years, we have learned that it’s best to be prepared. So sorry that you don’t think Rico is cute.
Gosh, Rico is adorable, thanks for sharing the smiles!
My pleasure! Love to watch him eat popcorn.
3 inches, not bad! Here in Michigan we will get one more snow in April.
Not bad at all. We often get snow in April, too.
LOL. Only the weather gods know for sure, you’re sure right about that! 😊
They do have their moods.
Hi, Laurie (and Clif and Rico) – In these current times, we definitely all need something to make us smile. Thank you for doing this.
xx
My pleasure! And Rico sure makes me smile.
A snowy Saturday afternoon playing board games…spring will get to you soon enough.
Yes, it will. Spring is just around the corner.
Rico is a far more refined eater of popcorn than most of us are! How wise to have all your preparations in place well beforehand. The best is that such measures are never wasted and you will be ready for next time. We are sans water at the moment … one of life’s annoyances, but it did rain last night so the rain tanks will be full 🙂
Tee-hee! So true about Rico’s refinement when eating popcorn. I usually drop some on the floor. So sorry that you are without water. Glad your rain tanks are full.
All is right with your part of the world – today
Yes, yes! Very grateful.
Aw… the porcupine is so cute. We all need cute in our lives. When we go to the children’s zoo our favourite animals are the meerkats … and piglets…. my grandkids lose me as I am totally hooked. Love watching their antics.
You were indeed lucky with the snow. I think the last time I saw/ toched snow was about 8 years ago in France. there is something magical about it
We certainly do need something cute in our lives right now. Rico eating popcorn fits the bill.
I wish I could borrow your Maine attitude about winter – especially March. It’s soooo long. Rico is cute!
I feel fortunate that I like winter. I know it’s not universal. And that little Rico is cute.
As much fun as it is to follow the saga of Snow Gauge Clif, I really enjoyed that photo of the snow falling outside your dining room window. It brought back the pleasure of snow-bound days — especially days when the snow was gentle and not a cause of problems. Huddling inside in the air conditioning to escape our late summer heat never is quite so pleasant!
There is something soothing about being inside and watching the snow fall. As long as it isn’t a blizzard. 😉
Today is election day and as I did not manage to vote early I will go to the polls. I am grateful there is no snow or ice, and am glad you escaped the worst. Spring will surely come.
We got about four or five inches, then sleet. It rained over night Sunday, and we woke up to most of the snow gone. Phew.
However, I’ll not turn my back on the weather.
That is one cute porcupine!
Rico is a cutie!
I see what you mean about Rico — he’s so doggone cute!! And it’s nice seeing Clif with his snow-measuring stick again. Three inches?? Well, at least that’s manageable. I haven’t put away my shovel yet (you never know when another wintry blast might occur!), but I’m quite eager to start digging in the dirt and seeing pretty flowers once more!
I love that porcupine!
It is 38 degrees and raining here this morning. The mountains are getting snow.
He’s back! That didn’t take long.
PS I’m glad you’re using that nice photo for your headshot.
The snow did fall. Thanks for the kind words. It’s certainly more representative of the way I look now. 😉
Great to see Snow-Gauge Clif again Laurie and it looks real cosy on a snowy afternoon from the dining room 💛 xxx
A very cozy day and all the more enjoyable because we didn’t lose our power.
Love little Rico. My guilty dose of cuteness on FB is an otter called Steve. I haven’t seen him eating popcorn but him and his friend Brad get up to all sorts.
An otter named Steve! And Brad. I will be looking them up. In my younger days, I used to scorn cuteness. Now I crave it.
It’s called ‘In Otter News’.
I am now a follower!
I feel a little guilty for saying this, but we’ve had some lovely springtime weather in the UK over the past few weeks. Plenty of sunshine, dry days and warmth (although the temperature has been dropping down overnight). I hope it makes its way to Maine very soon!
Enjoy, enjoy! This temperamental weather is perfectly normal for Maine, and we have learned to take it stride.
An afternoon playing board games in the warm while snow falls outside sounds perfect!
It really was a lovely afternoon.
I hope Spring will come soon to Maine !
It’s coming!
A reprise for SGClif!!! Crazy weather! Thank goodness for board games.
During the pandemic, board games helped keep us sane.
Love the big dose of cute and Rico definitely made me smile!!😁