Oh my! Oh my! Is it too early to speak of such a thing, I wonder? I was expecting it soon but not today. I mean lets face it, there are things in life that you look forward to, but not, at the same time. What’s it going to be like this year? For shiver me timbers mine eyes are deceiving me!! For what to my wandering eyes should appear but little pellets of snow I fear. Snow! Boo to the woo. I cannot give a woohoo just yet. I watch as a gentle smattering of snow falls, cascading down in a way that you cannot ignore. Not big soft white fluffy ones but a multitude of smaller deliberate statement snowflakes, coupled with a kick of cold wind, to give the first snowfall its place of presence. Oh I can see and feel you first snowfall. Ah yes, the first of many.
I should have known when I stepped outside this morning to let Maggie out and to put paper/plastic in the recycling bins that snow was coming soon. There was frost on the windshields of parked cars, icy patch on the driveway, and a quick in and out for Maggie from her morning constitution. Proof in the pudding wouldn’t you say? No, it is not a negative thing but more of an attitude adjustment to the first snowfall. As an aside, I pray for the drivers out on the roads to be cautious. I am sure there are people probably already looking up when the ski lifts or rinks are ready for public consumption. Yeah that would a hard no. Well I should not say that because I think I am going to give skating ago this year with my youngest granddaughter. Fingers crossed. It will be a first to get on the ice and not, I pray, fall flat on my behind or heaven forbid do a face plant. Yikes!! I should not say that too loud. Right? Where is the wood to touch?
I do like the snow but I would not say I love it by any stretch of the imagination. It can be harsh and bitterly cold to the extreme. Hence the fashion sense of myself has a more of a Thomas and the Snowsuit look rather than the runway of a Ralph Lauren apparel. Sorel boots (which I have had the same pair, army green, since I began to teach in mid 80′), big parka, thick gloves and scarf. I like to be warm and comfy over coif and silk. That is my jam. The whole ‘pins and needles’ feeling in fingers and toes is a no-go thank you very much. I guess that is why I stopped doing cross country and downhill skiing. Cross country for the cold toes for sure but downhill…well let’s put it this way, cold toes yes but I never graduated from the bunny hill. LOL.
Speaking of cold toes, yes skating can bring about that too. But for some reason I can ignore it. After I go around the rink, I mean go a round and a round and a round again CW, never going anywhere, my toes seem to adjust or something. Which takes me back to those wonderful Friday nights as child when my mom (bless her heart) would drive my siblings and I for twenty minutes down the road to another town so that we can enjoy the delights of indoor skating. Where we lived it was a tennis court converted into a skating rink or the Thames River nearby; both requiring consistently cold temperatures. Not always accessible. But indoor skating! Cool bleachers, treats at snack bar, heated waiting area and music. Hip hopping tunes. Sooooo good.
Yet skating on the pond or on an outdoor rink gives me a feeling of freedom. The cold air nipping my cheeks, giving them a rosy healthy look (be careful of frost bite) and hearing the sizzling and hissing sounds of the skates on ice as an echo. Things seem crisp and sharp even when sun is bright and shining, I am invigorated. And at night, so different than in an indoor rink, the silence of the moon and stars lights the way, casting an amber glow across the frozen ice. It is a breathtaking moment actually to be out on the ice, at night, with only the silence as music.
Look at me toting the joys of the first snowfall. Come on down little ones. You, snow are coming anyway, so make the best of it. Snow? Already? Yes. Bring it on. Blessings.
Let us pray for those who are in need of our prayers today. Amen.
Karenpondering 