What Blizzard Did Not Come From A Dairy Queen And Reigns over the Mid-Atlantic?
Are You Snowed In?
If you are content to be inside watching old episodes of 'I Love Lucy' or some other show in black and white today, then you get up to look outside for an update in the weather, and it looks like the scene of this Robert Frost poem, you must live in the mid-Atlantic USA:
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer to stop without a farmhouse near.
Between the woods and frozen lake, the darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.
We Got Slammed!
It's not all bad, especially if you are determined to make the best of it. In fact, if you are a kid or just a kid at heart, you might say it's all good! Sure things have slowed to a crawl, and people are antsy about the who, what, where, when and how of it all. As we contemplate just how little control we have over the weather, it seems practical to just calm down and relax. Instead of feeling like something we need to overcome, maybe we could just give ourselves a legitimate cause to do nothing at all or something that required quiet time that has been pushed aside by more pressing things in the daily grind. The point is enjoy this beautiful day! I did say beautiful! This day has been clothed in a white blanket that made me think of the innocence of childhood play. Okay so I thought about it a little too long and invited my son out into the snow. It started peaceful enough, but then I realized he was there and stood knee-deep and ripe for a take-down, so I took him down. He was so suprised and filled with laughter he could not even come up with what was needed to return the favor. I was home free! We took a few photos together and dared each other to walk as far as a nearby park. It's rather windy and still snowing though, and I know his memory is not that short...so we will go tomorrow.You know I've started something with him and he will get me soon, so now I've got to watch my back!
There are almost 2 feet of snow on the ground and more in drifts. The snow conveys a sense of peace it seems. We have had to slow our pace to cautiousness and prudence, and it's really giving us a moment for graciousness. No doubt, there are numerous causes for sorrow this day, and they are are not forgotten but simply stomped from my boots at the top of the stairs for but a spell to enjoy this precious time to reflect with appreciation on all the things that are good in life. That may be different for each and every person, but this snow has made me feel a need to make room for thankfulness.
In the mid-Atlantic, just the mention of snow sends most of us to the store like someone ordered a community registration. So yesterday we were among the herds at the supermarket getting fixings for our favorite meals, and for days we are surely going to enjoy the goods! A friend who is snowed in with us, on purpose, made us breakfast fit for royalty with hash browns, maple sausage, eggs, toast, and coffee. We just had salad for lunch, but tonight we are making homemade pizzas with our favorite toppings and spicy wings for dinner. Now I can't wait to see how they turn out. We are going to play board games after that and probably watch a movie. Hey what would a snow day be without showing a favorite flick or two?
I hope you have as nice a time snowed in as we are having. You can tell me about some of the things you got to do and how you bonded with family or friends...even if it was just getting time to send letters, cards, emails, or texts to family or friends. Why not take a minute and make somebody happy! The Super Bowl is tomorrow and, for some of our friends, being snowed in for that is like the icing on their favorite cake! Even if you were not affected by the blitz on the east coast, I hope you get a snow day soon... Remember that a "snow day" can have nothing to do with the weather! It can just be about having a day in which you can do whatever you choose without feeling guilty about it. Let no one give you guilt over it, or it will be spoiled, a missed opportunity, perhaps gone forever, just as the wonderful snow once it has melted!
