Everyone gets a snow day

"Mom, today at school they said it is supposed to snow up to 14 inches!" In past years the predictions of how much snow always exceeded the actual accumulation. When I tried to prep the excited children for a potential disappointment, it fell on deaf ears. "But Mom, they said it will — it's actually going to." "Okay, we'll see, it might." Everyone knew about 'Fern' moving in with winter fury in ways we don't usually see in Southern Illinois. Most folks were fired up about it, but then there are always those who would rather do without.

On Saturday evening when we retired for the night there was a slight skiff over the grass. I wondered where things would be by the following morning. Daybreak brought breathtaking beauty — pure white covered all the landscape in the quiet outdoors. Besides the birds and the occasional bleating of the sheep, it was perfectly still — there was not a single vehicle or motor to be heard. Church was canceled for the day. As the children awoke one by one, they were elated — snow like they've never seen before! Only they were stressed out that their boots would never be tall enough to keep all the snow out — and yes, it was close to 14 inches! I assured them we'd work something out.

By midmorning I pulled on Julia's boots which were a tad taller than mine and stomped toward the barn. Wow, it was refreshingly chilly, and yes, I got more exercise in by walking to the barn than I usually would! With the animals drinking their water before it froze, I set out to dig out Daniel's old boots. Though his feet were a good notch larger than mine, I decided it would potentially do the trick in keeping my feet dry — or at least more so. Clomping around in them I mused to myself, "Now I know what it is like to walk in his shoes …" Well, not really, but it felt good, especially as I did what he used to do.

In the shop I walked past the chop saw in the corner where our wedding 'eck' (corner with the bridal table) had been. Wow, much has happened since then, but it was okay; I'll never regret that phase in my life, though it did not last as long as I thought it would. Coming back to a warm house felt good — why, I can't imagine what life is like for those who simply don't have an adequate place to stay warm! I loved watching the children romp and roll in the snow and yes, their boots were filled with snow, but thanks to a heater in the living room, it did a fantastic job in drying clothes in short order so they could go again.

After breakfast we all gathered around the living room where we listened in on the phone on conference while one of the church men shared a devotional followed by a children's story, some families singing and general chitchat. A poem read by one of the elders at church got my attention: "I thank thee Lord for mine unanswered prayers … yet it seemed hard among my heavy cares that bitter day, I wanted joy but thou didst know for me, that sorrow was the gift I needed most, and in its mystic depth I learned to see the Holy Ghost …" I couldn't help but think that at his age he must have experienced this for himself; it motivated me to keep going even when life has many prayers and petitions that are unanswered in our natural way of thinking.

Over a foot of snow also means snow to scrape from the driveway. Thanks to generous neighbors, in the first day we were able to use the driveway. Imagine how impressed the boys were to see the heap of snow growing steadily as the driveway was being cleared. They decided it would be a perfect opportunity to make a tunnel through it. Though they haven't completed the project, a nice roomy tunnel is cut through about half of it.

Monday was snow day at school, but today it's back in swing again. Three of the children ended up not going with a flu they picked up. Hopefully by tomorrow they'll all be back on the run again.

With the flu around, chicken noodle soup always makes people feel better. Here is my recipe!

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

2 quart chicken broth

8 oz. medium or fine noodles

1 cup shredded carrots (opt)

1 cup diced potatoes (opt)

2 cups chicken, cooked and diced

Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a kettle, simmer till noodles and veggies are soft.