For reasons that defy my meager knowledge of science, the snow that fell on our yard nearly a week ago has remained while others’ yards are clear of the white stuff.

It’s not much snow, mind you, but it’s out there this Christmas morning before the sun is up.

This is a usual event at our home at this time of year. We live in southwest Amarillo. Our house sits on the south side of the street, facing north. That means the sun that crosses the sky this time of year casts a our house’s shadow over most of the front yard during the day. The lawn is shaded. So is everyone’s lawn along the south side of the street, for that matter.

But when the snow starts melting, everyone else’s snow disappears more quickly than ours.

My wife’s theory on why this happens is plausible: Our home is at the end of a street that T’s right into our two-block-long street; thus, the front yard is exposed to the chilly wind that blows from the north onto our front yard, therefore keeping the temps down just enough to preserve what’s left of the snow long after most folks’ yards are clear.

Makes sense to me.

So, on Dec. 25, 2013, we awoke to a white Christmas.

At least that’s what I’m going to call it.

Merry Christmas. Enjoy the day.