LOVER OF SNOW

I’m a lover of winter!   I love everything about it.   The sight of whiteness gives me a thrill while sitting in a mood of a well-deserved and deeply enjoyed quiet time.   The temperature reads are richly earned as the busyness of summer and the traveling in fall have pretty much slowed down in winter.

It brings back memories of times gone by as I haul a broken wooded sled out of storage, greasing it up and ready to go.   From childhood on the path to adulthood, I can remember speeding down the snow-covered hills, guiding my way over bumpy ground straight into a snow bank.   Totally my idea of winter happiness.

Then there is the adventure of learning to ice skate on a “not-so-smooth” frozen pond.   Memories of sore ankles and frost bitten toes occur with visions of those Olympic skaters going backwards.  Their legs flew high in the air and arms displayed so elegantly helped display their abilities to perfection.   The twirls often headed me into a graceful but “thuddish” fall.    Bright red mittens and a fuzzy stocking hat displayed the desire of the day, while I envisioned being a pro.   I mean, isn’t that how you learn to be one of the graceful skaters on TV?

As I grew older snowmobiling became the scene of action during these winter days.   Sitting in a colorful snowmobile suit and heavy boots while revving up the motor,  we were off like speed demons across acres and acres of pasture in the snow-packed farmlands of Iowa.     The excitement glided by quickly with screams of laughter and pure enjoyment.   

The best part of this whole winter adventure became the building of snowmen.   Large and small with knit hats and carrot noses.   Colorful striped or plain red scarves ruled the day.   There were pebbled eyes and buttoned front with spiky branches and twigs sitting perfectly where mittens rested.   This activity has never stopped as Leon and I magically put Frosty the Snowman by the Little Free Library while Cooper sat watching this surprise happening.

Lastly, its the ice crystal branches forming on tree limbs, seeming to whisper a feeling of peace and mentally moving us to enjoy the scene appearing throughout the windows.   This picture, lasting for a few hours or all day long, exploded with the frozen top branches coming closer and closer to the ground, just sitting there.   The clouds hang above while a light blue sky takes its place below them.   Quite a lovely scene.
​
I think back on all these fond winter memories.   What great times were experienced with family and friends and the love of outside wintertime.