Last weekend, when the sun finally shone bright after weeks behind steel clouds, and the air was warm enough for short sleeves, our daughter and I waited on the front stoop for Grandma and the cousins to arrive. The sun was like warm honey on our skin, and for the first time since October, I … Continue reading Toes Like Telltale Crocuses
Between “severe weather” days, delayed starts, and early releases, the kids haven’t had a full week of school since winter break. Spring will be here soon, right? I prepared this yesterday, giggling to myself, when I thought for sure the kids would have a snow day today. They only got a two hour delay. Now … Continue reading Snow Day Fatigue
After three years in Minnesota, I keep wondering when winter will arrive in Blacksburg. It’s January now. Shouldn’t I be warming my mug so its cold, greedy clay won’t suck all the heat from my coffee? Or pulling our down comforter up to my ears rather than kicking it off in the middle of the … Continue reading Waiting for Winter
You would think that in November, when the trees are stripped bare, and the mountains are gray with twiggy branches, and the ground is brown with dead leaves, you would think that the color green would be hard to find. At least, that’s what I thought, until with green on my mind for a photography project, … Continue reading Cascades of green in winter
Yesterday was our eight year old son’s special day*, where he got to pick a meal and a family activity for the day. Knowing his tendency towards lounging all day in PJs, I bribed him. I told him, “If you pick an active family activity, like, I dunno, hiking Dragon’s Tooth, I’ll make cinnamon rolls … Continue reading Boy declares Dragon’s Tooth “Best Hike Ever.” Mom agrees.
Growing up on the coast of Georgia, I’m no stranger to hurricanes. And after three years in Minnesota, I’ve become acquainted with snow as well. But a hurricane with snow? That I’ve never seen. Last night, as I lay in bed listening to the roaring wind, worried like I was during this summer’s derecho that … Continue reading Hurricane memories
Butterfly Mind 