summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

just to be clear...

I don't hate everything about winter. I don't hate when I am home and have no place I need to go, and there is coffee, and I have a good book. But even that is better in the summer:)

I don't hate the way the sun shines on the snow and it looks like a million diamonds, and when the trees are covered, illuminating each branch. I don't hate the kids going ice skating and sledding, and I don't hate how when it's so cold out, the dogs' paws don't need wiping off twenty times a a day as they come in the house.

But I hate the driving. I hate when you simply don't know where the road ends and the ditch starts. I hate when the snow blows sideways, when your headlights are a joke and all you can see is...snow. I hate driving in the winter. The sliding and the skidding and the slush and the unexpected slippery patches. I hate those phone calls (Margaret went off the road last winter with a few of the girls in the truck, they ended up at the lunch lady's house....)Abigail took the truck off the road on that same hill a few years back. Two of my daughters work in a hospital north of here, in one of the snowiest cities in the country, right on the lake. I can't even think about their commute, I have to pray. Emily and Abigail drive to the other city every day, and that's often no picnic either.

We have had our school bus go off the road a few times, and once our truck spun out in our own driveway and got stuck in the yard. Ha, I did that once with the old Big Van, too, it was not funny at the time, but my father-in-law saw a picture of it somehow, and it tickled him silly. I was trying to get out of the driveway and ended up sideways in the yard, stuck fast in the snow.

But filling the oil tank, keeping the space heaters running, and still walking around with socks and slippers and a big heavy sweater on...blah. I am a barefoot girl.

Anyway. This morning has been fun! The kitty kitten knocked down a picture frame and shattered the glass. I no sooner cleaned that up, than Duke started gagging...you know, that heaving that a dog does before...he barfs right near the open door you are trying to shoo him out of. blah.

I decided to sweep and mop, then throw in a load of towels. While I was in the laundry room, the phone rang, it was the office of Paul's eye dr., apparently the Dr. broke his arm so Paul has to reschedule. Then Paul texted me and asked me to call about the Bravada which is in the shop getting inspected...there are a few things that need fixing on it apparently, and it's not done yet...he had to drive the minivan to work because the truck needs new brakes. I am not looking forward to driving that truck to town needing new brakes, in the snow.

Anyway. There are children to teach, and children to rouse from their warm beds, and breakfast to make. I have not made a pot of coffee yet this fine cold morning. It is a balmy 15 degrees (-9.4 C). The snow is coming down in those big fluffy lake effect flakes, and it IS pretty. Kitty kitten is staring out the window in fascination, her little head swiveling around in wonder.

We are reading the book, "Farmer Boy." Did you know that Almanzo Wilder grew up in New York state? If you have never read this book, even if you don't want to read the whole Little House On The Prairie series, you should read it. Almanzo told Laura the stories of his growing up and about farm life, when they were old, and lived in Missouri. She wrote the book without ever visiting his childhood home. Then their daughter Rose grew up and visited the house in Malone, New York, and couldn't believe how accurately her mama had described it. It is such a clear depiction of what life was like in the 1800's. Oh, how hard they worked.

And, I am thinking of a summer field trip for these kids....his house is still there. We went years ago, when Emily was fascinated with the Little House books.

Wow, it's snowing out. And it DOES look pretty.

5 comments:

maureen said...

I moved here to Kansas in 1999, I had moved from San Diego, California and for me, winter and snow were pretty things you saw on Christmas cards and holiday movies.

The reality of it is that it is so cold it is hard to understand until you have lived it! But...I love the seasons now and wouldn't trade it for the boring, sunny, every-day-is-70-degrees weather that I left behind!

I have this theory, that the reason people in California and other areas that are always sunny are so liberal and not usually religious, is that they take for granted how easy their lives can be. Never having to plan around the weather or stock up for bad weather or be thankful for a perfectly warm and beautiful day. They don't experience the awesomeness of Spring or the fading glory of Autumn. They never really get to see God's glory and His mercies. Well, they do, they are just so complacent, they don't notice it!

Only 12 more weeks of winter! *Smile*

16 blessings'mom said...

Maureen, you could be on to something! There is something rather frightening about the dismal forebodings of Fall...just knowing what's coming when those leaves blow off and the trees are bare. ha, 12 more weeks! Actually, there is an element of winter I like, the hibernation. If I didn't have to go out at all, I would snuggle up in my comfy chair and get even chubbier...

Susan said...

I love the Little House books too! My favorite is The Long Hard Winter when they twisted bundles of hay to burn for heat. I often wonder what Laura would think of how we live today.
Just remember that winter is temporary Della!

Martha said...

We drove through Kansas after our family Christmas reunion in Colorado in 2002. It looked terribly cold and barren.
There is much to be thankful for,even in the dead of winter. Things like fireplaces, hot coffee, soup, sweater, and mittens, and days when we don't have to leave the house. I'm often thankful for a nice afghan and a comfy couch to curl up on. Now if only I could stay awake long enough to actually read a book.

AUTISMOMMA said...

I TOTALLY get what you are saying. Loving winter is for people who don't have to deal with the brutality of it year after year after year, in my opinion.

I am in Indiana and it may as well be Chicago with all the lake effects we get here. Today we woke up to 3 degree temps and a high of 7! Seven degrees! Heat wave, I tell you! And only twelve more weeks of winter?? Ha! :) I wish......only by the calender because the weather tells me differently. I'll see you all in May when I come out of hibernation. :D