My Upstate New York family members take winter weather in stride with its snow and ice. It was always exciting when Mama, Daddy, my sister and I took our annual Christmas road trip to visit Daddy's side of the family "up North" and have a real White Christmas. But, back home in North Carolina snow was, and still is, a major event. The best part being that the schools close at what my Yankee relatives would consider a minor snow event.
The first thing Mama and I did after the snow covered the ground was feed the birds breadcrumbs, and then I watch them from my windows as they pecked around in the snow for the food.
Whenever it snowed deep enough to gather the clean white crystals Mama made snow cream for Daddy. I did not like the snow cream because of the evaporated milk used in her recipe. Instead, I enjoyed hot cocoa after coming in from the cold with my nose red and running after playing with the neighborhood kids.
Probably the snow I remember from my childhood most is the time my sister and I were sick and couldn’t go outside to play. Mama and our neighbor’s daughter - best friend of my younger sister - built a snowman in the front yard while I watched from a window. Mama and Libby waved and acted silly, putting on a show for my sister and me as they created the sculpture. I have pictures of it still.
When I was a teenager and it snowed the fun involved walking down town to meet friends at the drugstore, the local teenage hangout. Sometimes an impromptu snowball fight would take place in the street, where there was no traffic due to the slippery roads. On one snowy occasion a boy walked me back home and stayed to help me with my algebra homework.
After I was married and had kids of my own I enjoyed watching their delight in snowman sculpting and throwing snowballs at each other. Slippery drives to the store, walking to Mama’s house for coffee. After we had horses there was extra work involved. I even remember one big snow when I walked the four miles to the stables to feed the horses. I waited in the tackroom, warmed by a little wood stove, until my husband got off work so I didn’t have to walk back home.
A lot has changed in the past twenty or so years. I moved from Eastern to Central North Carolina where the snowfalls have been heavier. Here, I have watched my grand daughters enjoy the magic of real snow. I owned a riding school for several years and as soon as travel was safe clients came to the barn to “check” on their horses. Some saddled up for wintry rides. They greased the bottom of their horse’s hooves so the snow and ice would not pack in their soles and cause them to slip. Many of the kids joined Jessica and Camille in sliding down the pasture hill. When they’d had enough and were shivering I always invited them in for snacks and hot chocolate. Some would stay to watch movies or play board games. Being “snowed in” at the barn together was as fun for me as for the kids.
Now, all the children and grandchildren are grown and away. I have lived alone in the woods, except for the dog and a stray cat for several years. I still enjoyed watching the birds and walking about the woods and farm with my camera. That has pretty much been the extent of my winter recreation. I’ve missed having children around.
This winter will be different. I am no longer alone. My grand daughter, her husband and my little great grandson, plus a new baby all are living with me for a time. I am looking forward to our first snow and fully expect Lakota to over see the construction of a humongous snowman in our front yard. It is going to be so much fun. Pictures to come later.
