The Christmas Blizzard
We got ten inches of snow last night, and there’s more predicted for today – perhaps another foot. Flights are grounded. Driving is difficult to impossible. Our family has modest travel plans: going across town to Grandma’s. And though we would go over a river, the four-lane highway has left no woods for us to go through.
Given the weather, I’m not sure even our modest travel will be possible. If this were a normal work day, I’d be filled with that sense of freedom that only a snow day can bring. I remember as a kid listening to my little AM radio early in the morning (wind rattling the windows, our neighbor’s house a vague grey hulk seen through a curtain of blowing snow), waiting for those beautiful words: school is closed.
I loved that feeling of utter freedom, of the daily routine suspended. But it’s Christmas Eve; this was already the case. What a waste of a snow day! But I have to admit, the thick, white snow looks like frosting covering the ground, the trees, the patio furniture we never got around to storing in the garage. It looks lovely. And delicious.
And speaking of delicious, if we are snowed in we are well set on food. One advantage of a snowy Christmas: we have a larder full of ham, sweet potatoes, green beens, pie, ice cream, homemade bread, cheese, appetizers, eggnog, wine, beer, and cookie supplies (of course I haven’t baked them yet – it’s not technically Christmas until tomorrow! sheesh!). It will be three days at least until we have to resort to eating each other – or the two-years-expired cans of soup from the pantry.
I guess being snowed in this year won’t be so bad. All the presents are bought if not wrapped (Christmas isn’t until…you get the picture). At this time last year, F. was just a six-month-old, babe-in-arms. This year she will be able to tear at the wrapping paper by herself, and will love her new toys and books. H. loves ribbon of any kind; he’s in heaven before the package is even open. We’ll hang out by the fire, eat ham, and – weather permitting – go outside and play in the snow.
Come to think of it, that sounds ideal.
Merry Christmas, Happy (belated) Hanukkah, safe travels (or contentedly giving up traveling) to all!
