Out of the bosom of the Air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare,
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.
—An excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem "Snow-flakes"
Chicago has been transformed into a swirling snowglobe over the last few weeks, and it appears that the current climate will be with us for weeks to come. While wishful thoughts of warmer weather may tempt your mind, take a moment to revel in the frosty wonder that has enveloped our city. Here are a few suggestions for exploring and celebrating the beauty of snow.
- Snowflake Bentley is a great picture book and DVD biography of Wilson Alwyn Bentley, who is noted as the first scientist to take a micrograph of a snowflake. Extend your exploration and take a virtual trip to Bentley’s hometown of Jericho, Vt., to see the Snowflake Bentley Exhibit maintained by the Jericho Historical Society.
- Design cool snowflakes and save your favorites to the snowflake gallery.
- Create a snowflake puzzle!
- Visit the snow crystal gallery of physicist Ken Libbrecht, who has traveled around the globe to study snowflakes and has created numerous “faux” flakes. He is also the author of Ken Libbrecht's Field Guide to Snowflakes.
Happy snow days!
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