It happened just before Christmas in 2013 – an unexpected winter ice storm. It rained, then it snowed, then it rained again. Eventually drizzling December rain, gradually freezing with time, encapsulated all trees and shrubs with a thick layer of ice. I remember venturing not too far from home in the evening to the Superstore parking lot on the 24th of December. The low shrubs near the sidewalk were unreal. Each branch and each leaf bud on the branch was encased in thick glassy ice. The sight was spectacular but it was darn cold. That winter ice storm in 2013 lasted for about two weeks.

“You have to accept the storms and the rainy days and the things in life that you sometimes don’t want to face.” ~ Bai Ling

This year’s spring ice storm was different. Here in Aurora it rained but mostly it was freezing rain with small ice pellets falling. We didn’t get the same glassy effect close to our home because the ice pellets would fall to the ground instead. After two days of precipitation with dropping temperatures the ground was covered and almost solid and we were digging ourselves out with a garden shovel. How ironic? It’s been a few days now and progressively the snow and ice has been melting away. Spring is on its way – I hope.

Photo Taken: December 24, 2013