more and more and more snow...

It has been snowing ALL day long. It's beautiful, gorgeous and breathtaking. I was sharing a story with my friend about my fond memories of the occasional snow that we had growing up in northern California. It happened perhaps every five years... or so it seemed to me.

The specific time that sticks out in my mind is having an exhilarating snow fight with my dad and brothers and sister (don't remember mom...hmm). So anyway, my dad was quite good at packing quite a hard snowball. I didn't think it was quite fair with my small hands, struggling desperately trying to make anything quite as effective as his rock hard snowballs.

Well, I somehow caught sight of a baseball, and in an instant, without thinking about it, covered it with snow, to make my own 'snowball'. Let me tell you, the instant it was freed from my hand and on it's way to the center of my dad's forehead, I reconsidered things! Funny how our mind works that way! It was almost like a Matrix moment... in slow motion I could see the path of destruction... I yelled out to warn my dad...which is it again that travels faster- sound or snowball?? Oh yeah. Snowball. Good thing he had a hard head.. and all of the children took after him~


"Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep."
Carl Sandburg

winter wonder

There's something about the snow filled winter day. For whatever reason my melancholy state was enhanced by the never ending snowflakes falling. My heart filled with wondering about what would be, and gratitude for what is.
I put on my bright pink turtleneck, my coat, and my boots, and packed my camera and camcorder into a plastic bag to keep it safe from any curious snowflakes that would care to venture near...
I went towards the apple orchard, where earlier this year I had spent some time enjoying the flowers and the bees... amazed by the absolute stillness about me which was breathtaking. As much as I love springtime, I could not deny the beauty about me. I went up the snowpacked dirt road, through the fence and up towards the hill, determined to reach the top if I didn't roll down in a big snowball hitting pinon trees as I went...I did not, but in fact realized that my boots with the 2 inch heel made for a perfect climbing instrument. I dug deeply into the 10" snow, at times seeing the dirt lifted up with my following step. My heart pounded, and my cheeks felt invigorated by the crisp snowflakes.. I loved it. When I got to the top, and took a look around.. I felt at peace. It was terrific.
I made it back home and settled down with a steaming cup of candy cane green tea and watched Little Women. It was a bit surreal watching the snow through the large picture window alongside my tv. It literally transported me into the era! It was perfect.

sisters having fun

What a blast we had! While visiting in California, I was persuaded by my brothers to partake in a game of paint ball. We piled on the clothing for fear of getting bruised by our adversary’s attack, and wore the special face mask. I was scared somewhat, and did a lot more hiding than attacking. I did end up with one bruise on my leg. We paired up in teams and dodged about through the manzanita trees and other foliage about, especially conscious of the twigs that would break underfoot. We worked up a sweat, and had some good laughs afterwards. 


Here is a poem I wrote, inspired by the birth of my sister....


New Arrival


Finally the day had arrived
Anxiously I’d awaited
For months I’d counted the days
Thinking maybe this time a sister I’d receive
Although my hope was unsteady
Three times before
New brothers mom had bore
Waiting, waiting,
I anxiously paced
Pa said all was well
It’s healthy and mom is fine
Soon on my way I was to see
My heart crushed as I heard
‘You’ve got to be happy with what we’ve got’
It was not to be this time, I knew
Crimson cheeks and aqua eyes
Filled me with delight
With jubilation I was encased
As the name on the fragile wrist I did read,
‘Ellen Kate’
So delirious was I,
how the hat of pink had escaped my eye!