Snow Days

Daisy and the new Flexible Flyer

As a girl growing up in the south any snowfalls were special. They still are! Though not spectacular, we enjoyed the snow that came in on Thursday and Friday. It is especially nice when the snow comes in the daytime when I can sit at the window and watch the yard and surounding fields fill up with the white stuff.

Some of my favorite memories involve snow. Jack and I were married in January during semester break at college. That week one of the largest snowfalls to hit south Arkansas came and stayed! Some of the wedding party missed the rehersal dinner the night before, and some never made it to the wedding! The flowers for the reception at my grandmother's house were partially frozen when my aunt, thinking she would keep them fresh overnight, put them on the attic stairs! The snow meant that our honeymoon had to be p0stponed until the following summer. Maybe it was providence since this was when we discovered the beautiful mountains of north Arkansas.

When Jay was little, we lived lived a little further north in Benton-- on a hill. Our family, along with the neighbors survived nine glorious days "stranded". We spent the time sledding down the long hills in the neighborhood. I can remember a night with kids and grownups alike sledding in the moonlight and warming our hands with mugs of hot cocoa between runs. Priceless!!

That was when I learned what an exhilerating experience sledding can be. We still have the old Flexible Flyer from that time when Jay was little, but early this winter I bought a new one in anticipation of someday seeing Jack Henry on it. (Really, I wanted one myself. ) Though the snow was melting fast yesterday, I managed to get in several good runs on our own "bunny slope", with plans to go the distance on the "long run". The "long run" is the ultimate in sledding fun. We start at the top of our drive and go sailing down to the mailbox--a distance of about 200 curvey yards. Again, priceless! However, the temperatures and sun made the long trip down impossible, and I bogged down into the soft gravel before reaching the bottom. Oh well, it is just February. Still time for another good snow or two before spring.

Snow Toward Evening

Suddenly the sky turned gray,

The day,

Which had been bitter and chill,

Grew soft and still.

Quietly

From some invisible blossoming tree

Millions of petals cool and white

Drifted and blew,

Lifted and flew,

Fell with the falling night.

--Melville Cane

Cabin Fever

Jack got a call at 10:00 Monday night saying "no school tomorrow". With an extra hour of sleep behind us, we woke up to a winter wonderland of crystals and frost. I am always amazed at the beauty of a phenomenon we never knew existed in south Arkansas--frozen fog. It looks exactly like someone took a can of that spray snow you buy at Christmas and liberally sprayed the whole mountain! It's fascinating and so beautiful it is hard to describe. We will see this several times each winter when low clouds and fog roll in and freeze to everything it touches from fences to bushes to trees. It happens in the higher elevations, and as you drive down the mountain, you will see a line where it starts. Beautiful!!

The ice coating on the porch, steps, and ground made walking hazardous. Molly's first encounter with the ice took her sliding across the porch, down the steps, and to an abrupt halt at the gate post! Needless to say, she was more careful the second time around. Jack thawed out the vehicles, but decided driving was risky. And, we didn't have to go anywhere anyway! He stayed out long enough to give the birds and deer a extra ration of food. Then found a few inside "honey do" jobs to keep busy.

It stayed cold, foggy, and dreary all day. I spent my day putting the finishing touches on our website and doing a little reading. It was nice. Bad weather is a good excuse for dropping chores and picking up a good book. I'm reading a series called "Mysteries of Sparrow Island"-- a Christmas gift. Also watched a DVD of "The Walton's". I have always loved that series. Mountain life has always fascinated me, I guess.

Tuesday night we got another call informing us there would be no school on Wednesday. Again, we got in that extra hour of sleep, drank an extra cup of coffee, and watched the deer and birds out the window. Then "cabin fever" set in. We had to get out. After checking the roads, Jack declared it safe, and away we drove for a short trip to the post office. Hey! Two packages! A new thermometer that projects the time and outside temperature on the ceiling by our bed, (just in time to watch another cold wave ) and a vintage souvenir Arkansas plate which gives me a collection of 2!

Then, a burger at Compton One Stop where we met a friend who was trying to get home, but wasn't sure his van would make it up the steep hill by his house. We followed him home with no problem. Just a little mud!

We watched the weatherman tonight as he predicted the next few days of cold, wintry, windy, and just plain miserable weather. We'll get ready for another "snow day" and when it comes we 'll enjoy the day. I consider these unexpected mini-vacations a "perk" for mountain living.

I have a good friend who leaves this message on her phone when she's out. I repeat it when I find myself not happy about how the day is going--weather wise and otherwise.

"This is the day that the Lord hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24