big snow little snow

Many years ago, my father introduced me to this expression, which he insisted came from the Native American people. Thus:

"Big snow, little snow. Little snow, big snow"

More or less self explanatory, it of course refers to the size of snow flakes as being connected to the depth of snowfall. I have no idea whether it is actually a saying of the "Red Indians" as he would have called them, but it does seem to work.

It began to snow just as I was driving home from my mother's house on the coast, where the conditions were more like a middle way between wet snow and sleet, which is quite a subtle distinction. I expected it to turn to rain as I approached the heat island of our city, but it has persisted now for a couple of hours, and indeed, the snow has got smaller as it has begun to settle on the grass. We shall have to see if the temperature drops after dark and the whole city receives a generous coating.

My mum seemed in fine fettle today, her morale upbeat and her memory passably good, though she did not know the day, while knowing full well that she did not know it, if you follow me. My father-in-law, on the other hand, continues to give rise to significant concern. His aricept was increased a few weeks ago, and he now seems to be demonstrating bizarre "automatic movements" with his hands and coming out with a series of unconnected statements. Could this be one of the not inconsiderable list of side effects of the drug itself, or is he simply deteriorating steadily? It is almost impossible to be sure, though for my part I have little faith in the reputed wonder drug. I have rarely seen it produce tangible results, but I have often seen it make people worse, and in some quite horrible ways; depression, psychotic reactions and other strange effects are not uncommon. And now they are thinking of giving the stuff to my mum. I'm not at all happy about the prospect...