Snow after all . . .
Well, my women writers group was supposed to meet at 1:00 today at Barnes & Noble in U-Village. While I can walk down there, I'm doubtful any of the others will make it . . .
In the meantime, we've got 2-3 inches here behind U-Village. The dog and I just came back in from an hour-long spontaneous Block Snow Party. Imagine about 8-10 kids under age 10, five dogs (a golden lab, 2 golden retrievers, a pug and my cockapoo), 8 adults (me with a leash in one hand and a cuppa coffee in the other) . . . all wandering up and down the block (a stretch of about five houses on each side) - everyone's yard gets some "hang time."
Five-year-old Madeline is busily rolling snowman balls in each of our yards (trying to stay ahead of the dogs who scuff up the pristine snow blankets on our lawns). She's using her Radio Flyer wagon to then haul the beach ball-sized snowballs back to her house.
The dogs are competing to see who can mark more territory, giving us the chance to teach all the kids an important life lesson: Don't eat yellow snow.
Two of the kids are only six months old - bundled in their little snowsuits and hanging from their mamas' front-facing baby carriers, they have slightly perplexed wide-eyed expressions. They seem to be thinking very hard, "Okay, I recognize the people . .. I recognize the dogs . . . but what's up with that background? Why is everything so white?"
Then the teens hit the streets . . . suffice to say, "Duck!" is the operative word from here on out. Jay across the street has assumed the mantle that Jesse's father abdicated upon moving back to CA, i.e., block target for the kids. Better him than me. I realize this makes two generations of elementary age kids I've gotten to watch in snow play mode. Jesse and the Flennikens who used to live across the street . . . now she's sixteen and the block baby boom of the past decade give me a chance to see a whole new crop.
I do give eight-year-old Natalie some strategic insights . . . "Okay, wait until Jay is really occupied with the teens by the white car. Then move to the front of my car, snag some snow from the hood and get him from behind while he's not looking." I then retire to the safety of my front porch to enjoy the show.
Jesse is the lone holdout among the kids . . . she's being all California Girl "no, it's too cold out there." But Genni and Emma have finally coaxed her out and now all the kids are settling into front porch conversations while the dogs romp.
I'm cold enough that I'm back inside having leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes for breakfast (mmmmm -that'll stick to your ribs). Winter is when we typically don't see each other as much (except for delivering holidays treats to each other). Snow is a nice opportunity for a winter version of the summer "just hanging out in the front yard" social scene.
It's been a nice morning. :) Happy snow day, everyone.
In the meantime, we've got 2-3 inches here behind U-Village. The dog and I just came back in from an hour-long spontaneous Block Snow Party. Imagine about 8-10 kids under age 10, five dogs (a golden lab, 2 golden retrievers, a pug and my cockapoo), 8 adults (me with a leash in one hand and a cuppa coffee in the other) . . . all wandering up and down the block (a stretch of about five houses on each side) - everyone's yard gets some "hang time."
Five-year-old Madeline is busily rolling snowman balls in each of our yards (trying to stay ahead of the dogs who scuff up the pristine snow blankets on our lawns). She's using her Radio Flyer wagon to then haul the beach ball-sized snowballs back to her house.
The dogs are competing to see who can mark more territory, giving us the chance to teach all the kids an important life lesson: Don't eat yellow snow.
Two of the kids are only six months old - bundled in their little snowsuits and hanging from their mamas' front-facing baby carriers, they have slightly perplexed wide-eyed expressions. They seem to be thinking very hard, "Okay, I recognize the people . .. I recognize the dogs . . . but what's up with that background? Why is everything so white?"
Then the teens hit the streets . . . suffice to say, "Duck!" is the operative word from here on out. Jay across the street has assumed the mantle that Jesse's father abdicated upon moving back to CA, i.e., block target for the kids. Better him than me. I realize this makes two generations of elementary age kids I've gotten to watch in snow play mode. Jesse and the Flennikens who used to live across the street . . . now she's sixteen and the block baby boom of the past decade give me a chance to see a whole new crop.
I do give eight-year-old Natalie some strategic insights . . . "Okay, wait until Jay is really occupied with the teens by the white car. Then move to the front of my car, snag some snow from the hood and get him from behind while he's not looking." I then retire to the safety of my front porch to enjoy the show.
Jesse is the lone holdout among the kids . . . she's being all California Girl "no, it's too cold out there." But Genni and Emma have finally coaxed her out and now all the kids are settling into front porch conversations while the dogs romp.
I'm cold enough that I'm back inside having leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes for breakfast (mmmmm -that'll stick to your ribs). Winter is when we typically don't see each other as much (except for delivering holidays treats to each other). Snow is a nice opportunity for a winter version of the summer "just hanging out in the front yard" social scene.
It's been a nice morning. :) Happy snow day, everyone.
posted by honora | 10:38 AM
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