Monday, looking out the window, there was snow covering everything, even the country roads. It was a much needed wet snow and floating down were the biggest snowflakes. The limbs of the trees were covered, the roofs of the farm outbuildings were glistening with snow. Even the cattle in the lot near the barn had snow covering their backs but it didn’t seem to bother them as they munched away on a bale of grass.
It was hard to tell the boundaries of where the sky ended and the land began as clouds and snow seemed to combine the lines. In the countryside, there was hardly any action happening. Once in a while a neighbor farmer passed slowly in his pickup with a large round hay bale held on the flat bed, as he traveled to feed his livestock.
It’s lovely watching snowflakes as they fall while standing near the window and warmed by the comforts of the home’s heating source. My mind travels back in time to youthful winter snow days, playing fox and geese in the country school’s playground area, laying down in the snow and making snow angels, jumping onto a sled and sliding down a pasture hillside and throwing snowballs at my sister. We felt like wildlife explorers as we dressed for the harsh temperatures and snow that went up to the tops of the rubber boots. A new path was made in the snow while taking adventuresome walks into a field near the house.
It was fun to find that the snow was a nice wet and heavy snow and just right to create the perfect snowman. A small snowball was made and then placed on the snow covered ground and rolled until it was just the right size for the three-ball snowman to be completed. Then came the problem of coming up with the needed features for the snowman’s eyes, nose, mouth and arms. Tree limbs made for good but skinny arms and the eyes were usually set into place with rocks. If nothing else could be found, the mouth was also made using rocks. Carrots made the perfect nose but were never in the refrigerator when needed, so another short, fat stick was called for. No top hat could be found so a stocking hat or old straw hat were placed on his head. Sometimes, if mother allowed, a winter scarf would be tied around his neck. When completed, the snowman looked perfect. After the project, the snow artists headed for the house, where they took off their coats, hats, boots and wet mittens. A cup of hot chocolate was waiting at the kitchen table, along with freshly baked oatmeal cookies. It seemed when mother was confined in the house she turned to baking something to help warm up the house and also provide a tasty treat.
If a person was really lucky, the snow covered ground made for a horse drawn sleigh ride. I’ll never forget the ride I got to take one winter’s day. I had been invited to take my first horse drawn sleigh ride and couldn’t wait to climb up into the sleigh. The seasoned driver shook the reins and the horse headed out. I still cherish that memory as the horse pulled that sleigh through the snow and the bells along the reins proved the perfect sounds.
There are the mother’s memories of watching her two sons, tying up our lovable Husky dog to the boy’s sled. One by one the boys would climb on the sled and the dog would take them for a ride down the snow covered driveway. I don’t know who enjoyed that more — the boys, the dog or mother watching from the kitchen window.
There were those cold winter days when it snowed but you knew outside chores still had to be done. There were the cattle to feed and the iced over pond to break so the cattle could get a needed drink. Rescues sometimes had to be made. When finding a new born calf, it often had to be brought into the warm house to keep it alive. Going out and wading through the snow to gather wood to put in the wood burning stove and fireplace was another cold snowy duty that had to be done at least three or four times a day.
It was a celebration when the school day was canceled because of the snow, such was done Monday by most all of the schools around us. I’m sure the students all enjoyed the day doing something they enjoy which I hope was getting outside and having fun in the snow.
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