It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of Deb’s World, Suzy Turner, Rosie Amber, Within a World of My Own, and me. MK has decided not to continue with the GWC. Sally chose this month’s theme, and I honestly can’t wait to read what she writes! I love the Global Writing Challenge because it’s always fun to see what others come up with…the responses rarely repeat. On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you’d like to join us, here is the prompt for February:
- February – Fashion Icons
Snow…
I am just going to say it: I LOVE SNOW! I love the powdery kind that seems to cover the world in a crystalline blanket that shimmers and flickers in the sun- and moonlight. I love the dry snow that squeaks when you walk across it. I love the silence you wake up to when it’s snowed heavily overnight. I just love snow.
A little history…
When I was a kid, I remember getting so much snow that we would build huge snow forts in our yards. Sometimes, if it was that wet snow that packs really well, we’d even make our version of a snow cave. I do sometimes wonder how my little brother and I survived our childhoods! And, snowball fights with our next door neighbors were a blast until someone inadvertently got a stone in their snowball. That usually led to the moms declaring a cease fire.
Even more…
A couple of miles from where I grew up was a large park. In the summer, it was the local baseball field. We would sit on the hill above the older players and watch the games. But, the winter is when that hill was a superstar! We would talk someone (usually Dad) into taking us to DeVol Field so we could sled down the hill. We had several different kinds of sleds, one of which I still have. We also had metal saucers. Today, I think they’re plastic. If we were desperate, we’d just use heavy duty cardboard!
Still more…
One year, after I’d married and had kids, we met up with one of Nigel’s older brothers and his family at DeVol to go sledding. It was nighttime, but the park was very well lit. The kids were having a blast…the parents…not so much. Who do you think had to trudge down the hill to get the sled and kid and bring them back to the top? Anyhoo, my daughter, who was probably about four or five, was on a sled, and her aunt gave her a bit of a push. Miranda went flying down the hill…straight into a utility pole! It was like a scene out of a movie. She’d been just the teensiest bit airborne and hit that pole with arms and legs extended, almost as if she were going to grab it! She then slid right down the pole into the snow. After discerning she was OK, we started to laugh. I mean we were belly laughing because it truly was like one of Cat’s silent movies! Bam! Then, the slow slide down the pole! I’m actually having to contain myself as I type this so I don’t shake the bed with my giggles! The best part is Miranda remembers it, or she remembers it because we’ve talked (and laughed) about it so much.
Snow Angel Granny…
Another year, Miranda and the kids were living in Virginia while her husband was deployed. We’d had a good bit of snow, and we were FaceTiming so the grands could see it. W wanted to see a snow angel. So, I put on some warmer clothes, my snow boots, and went out and made a snow angel! I doubt he remembers it because the photo I have shows a very young grandson! I’m going to have to check with him to see if he’s seen the photo.
Winter wonderland…
And, then there was the winter wonderland I’d find at our house up north. The trees and bushes would be laden with several inches of snow. It was always a bit of a worry with some of the more delicate landscaping. But, oh, my word, it was beautiful. We haven’t had snow like that since we moved to Brownsburg. I miss the howling winds that made glorious shapes in the snowdrifts. I miss the feeling of isolation when the roads, let alone the driveway, were impassable. I miss the heavy snows when the world slowed down because Mother Nature ordered it.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Of course, I don’t have to go anywhere when it snows like this. So, I can admire the snow from the warmth of my house. Actually, I get out in it because Jack absolutely loves snow. He hates the rain, but snow…loves it! I haven’t made a snowman here yet. I’m hopeful we get more snow this winter, but I’m not holding my breath. If we do, a snowman will be made! So, can we talk? Have you built a snow fort? What kind of sledding adventures have you had? How do you feel about snowball fights? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
What others are saying…
Debbie says, “Snow thoughts from a sunburnt country – the contrasts of being on opposite sides of the world to where snow is falling.”
Suzy “writes about living without snow and why travelling to find it made snowy holidays feel extra magical.”
Sally “considers snowy weather in the long Minnesota winter season from a US southerner’s perspective.”
Rosie “brings us some books with snowy themes.”
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your posts about snow, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
What wonderful snowy memories you have Marsha. The silence all around that you get from snow is wonderful.
Thank you, Rosie! I do love that beautiful silence from a snow filled world.
Oh Marsha I just love that you went out and made a snow angel for your grandson, that is pure gold Granny medal stuff! I’d do something like that if we ever had enough snow here. I love your memories and your poor daughter hitting the pole, I’m so glad she didn’t hurt herself but those laughs and memories stay on way past the event don’t they? Thanks for sharing with us!!
Debbie from desb-world.com
Thanks, Debbie! I mean, I just had to do it! Somewhere I have a photo of me with all the snow on my back as I was headed into the house. I couldn’t find it though. Now that we all live close to each other, it would be fun to make snow angels with him, but he’s a teenager and way too cool for that! I’m sure I could bribe him with a dozen cookies or so, though. I should have written in my post that she was quite heavily padded in order to stay warm. I only truly was worried about her face hitting the pole. The padding was so thick, I don’t think she could have reached the pole! Oh, this was really a fun post to write. I am so glad to be able to share my rememories with my friends.
Yeah, you know that if I had written a post for this it would sound very negative … in fact a quote from my own silent movie posts today is “I just hate snow (except in pictures of lovely winter landscapes).” 😂
I can so imagine that scene you describe in a silent film!
We had a large downhill meadow next to the woods and of course (most) kids loved sledding there. At the bottom was a little creek, wide enough so they added two wider “bridges” (my guess it was if they had to take a bigger mower there because you could make a big step over the creek). Usually, the ride ended before, but some kids tried to have enough speed to make it over those bridges. I seem to remember it was done at least once when I was there, but it was an ambitious goal.
Oh, Cat, I have to laugh at your response because I was pretty sure it would be pretty similar to what you’ve written! But, I was right about the silent movie, wasn’t I? Luckily (except for the occasional utility pole…only one, really), you ended up on a snow covered baseball field. We always competed to see who could get the farthest onto it, though!
I’d love to wake up to a winter wonderland! As long as I didn’t have to go out and drive to work it would be wonderful. It’s so beautiful!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I do have to admit I hated driving to school in it. I drove a north/south road with cornfields or wheat fields on both sides. That meant the wind and snow just blew across it, making it even icier or snowier. When I had my Saab, I figured it would go like crazy in snow, but it was terrible in the snow. We actually had to buy special tires for the winter for it. But, I still loved it then as much as I do now!
What absolutely amazing memories you have, Marsha! I’m actually quite envious of all that you got up to! And I can just see you giggling on your bed trying not to wake your husband as you recall the accident your daughter had!!! OMG Wonderful!
I would miss all those things too, I just know it. Especially the haunting quiet in the morning. Sigh.
Fabulous post, Marsha!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! I was so fortunate in my childhood. I lived in an amazing neighborhood where there were so many kids around the same age. And, everyone knew everyone else. My little brother (who towers over me and calls me “Little Sister”) and I were often partners in crime. Our whole yard would be a snow fort. Then, we’d have to venture into the way backyard to get more snow to make snowballs. We would sometimes carry water outside to ice over the forts.
Oh, I can still see her sliding down that pole. And, I laugh every time. I read that part of the blog to Mike this morning, and he laughed at the memory, too. And, yes, the beautiful quiet of waking up and knowing, when you look out the window, there will be several inches of snow on the ground. It really is a wonderful time of year. I do wish we had more days like that these days.
I love snow too Marsha, but we don’t seem to get much here in UK as I remember as a child.
We’ve just had a smattering of snow here in our part of North Yorkshire but it soon turned icy and treacherous- so not good for venturing out.
I love the silence and light that snow brings.
Thank you, Linda! It’s funny how we here in the states always envision the UK as snow covered at Christmas time. I think it’s all those old Christmas Carol movies. Oh, I don’t like ice at all. I forgot about that light the snow brings in the evening hours, too. It’s just so magical, isn’t it?
The sledding story was priceless – glad that she wasn’t hurt and everyone could laugh at the “silent movie” slapstick comedy of it! I only went sledding once as a kid because Oklahoma doesn’t get a lot of snow at once very often, but we had a really steep street near us and a sled from Nebraska relatives we could use – that was a fun day.
Thanks, Sally! I forgot to put in my post that she was quite padded with snowsuit and clothing underneath. The only thing I was truly concerned about was her face, but I think the padding kept her from even hitting the pole. When it snowed a lot, we were at DeVol Field as often as we could get our parents to drop us off! I’m glad you got to experience sledding once!
Too bad you didn’t have a video of that moment. Truly giggle worthy!!
XOXO
Jodie
Oh, my gosh, Jodie! It was absolutely hilarious! I still laugh every time I think of it and can still see that slow slide down the pole. Of course, she was bundled up so much that the impact probably really wasn’t that bad.