....the big hill

Yogis,
Finally some snow! After 729 snowless days we were blanketed with four inches on Tuesday, followed quickly by four more on Friday. I had forgotten how truly wonderful a snow day can feel.

Most of Tuesday’s snow fell overnight which doesn’t have quite the same impact as a day spent watching snow fall from the sky. But Friday’s, only forecast to be an inch, began before dawn and continued after dark. A snow that gloriously trimmed every branch and twig with white. The garden transformed as the world became quiet. A red cardinal the solitary splash of color.

Snow days bring back memories.

Like how there weren’t really snow boots when I was young. Plastic baggies went over my shoes, held by rubber bands, and the whole ensemble slid into a rubber boot…..with open tops to ensure snow fell in immediately. The wood and metal sleds which did more sinking into the ground or causing serious injury, than actual sledding.

Years later, spending an hour getting all three of my boys bundled up to hike to the big hill. A perfect wide steep sledding hill in a magical opening in the woods. Much laughter and tears happened on that big hill. Then in the blink of an eye they were old enough to go themselves, bringing friends back and hanging wet clothing on the radiators.  Red cheeks, hat hair and starving. They would go early and often.

Yesterday we all went to the big hill once again. Now with sons and grandkids in tow.

Nothing has changed. Trying to get little Ben to put his thumb into the thumb part of the glove….with no success. Snowpants, snow boots (although these are now really for snow), coats, scarves, gloves, hats……. A workout just getting everyone ready.

We all had turns and races. Some fared better than others. Attempting the jump and avoiding the tree. My sons recounting stories of days spent on the big hill. Many red cheeks. At least one little one needing to be carried on the way home.

On the way back my grandson Johnny exclaimed that he was starving! All of the wet clothes were strewn across heaters while we heated up the chili and built a fire. Snow days never get old.

What are your snow memories?

Grateful,
SARAH