Day 197

11/28/22

Today was a day of waiting for the snow and preparing. We may only get a few inches, but Minnesotans seem to go into survival mode when the weather forecast predicts up to half a foot!

I believe I can feel the anticipation in the air when snow is on the way. I know my pups can! They were so rambunctious today! Gus and Sam even needed mini-baths due to their digging and running in the moist dirt. At least tomorrow, they will get a "snow bath!"

I absolutely love the white stuff! I go into soup-making mode, turn up the Hallmark channel and reach for my yarn. I even enjoy shoveling. Mac would say that there is help for people like me!

When I was younger, snowstorms meant fort-building, sledding at Greenhaven and simply being a Minnesota Kid! We would stay up late and listen to our local radio station, WCCO, hoping upon hope for a magical SNOW DAY! When we would hear that our district planned to close, it was almost like Christmas!

In today's world, there are no more of these mystical days. With the onset of virtual learning, students can continue their education online. Although it is a plus for curriculum, I wonder if we learned just as much back in the '60's when we would read, draw, imagine wonderful things and socialize with our friends in the snow.

There was one winter day when, as a proud Lincoln School Patrol, my 5th grade patrol partner and I headed out to a busy 7th Ave. to "safely" cross the students as they headed home due to a noon school blizzard closing. The snow was heavy and constant. Rose and I would give the command to cross the street to our minions who were anxious to get to their homes. On a wing and a prayer, the cars were able to stop when we stepped into the street with our patrol flags lowered. We stayed out at that crossing until the last kindergartener crossed safely and then finally headed back to the school. Looking like snowmen, we entered the front door to be met by the principal who said, "You should have come in a long time ago! We forgot you were out there! Everyone else has gone home!"

Needless to say, that would not happen today for various reasons! It was an adventure, none-the-less, and a good story some 50 plus years later! Of course, my dear father was waiting with the snow-covered car warming up at the curb for my ride home! It was such a good childhood!

Now, as we anticipate snow, I still have the same excitement I felt as a child. The dogs can sense it too. Now we wait and watch for the first snowflake to drift down...ready to embrace the wonder.