Our first snowfall of the season arrived here in Iowa on Saturday.
I kinda loved it.
Now, I hesitate to say that, because last year was the worst winter of my life. We were the victims of a massive ice storm that blew out our power (pretty much our whole county's power) for four days. Some people's were out for longer. We had ten snow days and actually had to tack on an extra half-hour to our school days for the rest of the year just to keep from being in school until June.
Some of you in your own corners of the world may not believe this, but we reverted to prehistoric times around here. My family and I just sat in the dark. I would huddle in my sleeping bag and stare at them, guardedly eating my high-carb granola bar. Flashlights were sacred. Hot water was a rarity. Poptarts ceased to exist.
Oh! Here's a journal entry I wrote right after the ice storm last year:
***Bailey's Guide for Winter Safety***
1. Because of low winter temperatures, ice is a common substance to be found. When stepping on a patch of ice, the wrong thing to do would be to thrust your weight forward, causing your foot to slip, and then having a mini-seizure while your snoopy neighbors laugh at you from their front window. No. I do not suggest that. I DO suggest, however, moon-walking on the ice and then sliding off the ice patch all studly and such. See that, nosy neighbors? That's right. I don't walk around the ice like a pansy. I DANCE on the ice. I am the ice's MASTER! Take that!
2. If you do happen to lose power, immediately wrap yourself in every piece of clothing you own and sit in your living room singing, "I'm a little Eskimo, I make my bed within the snow..." for entertainment. It works. I speak from experience.
3. In the aftermath of an ice storm, you may often hear a loud cracking or "BANG!" noise that may resemble gunfire. Do not be alarmed. This most likely is the sound of a tree splitting in half or losing a branch from the weight of the ice. BUT just to be safe, I suggest you immediately drop to the floor and yell, "TAKE THE MONEY, BUT DON'T HURT THE CHILDREN!!!" For safety precautions.
4. And finally, if a man comes to your door claiming that he is part of a tree-trimming and cleaning service, be careful! Especially if he doesn't have a yellow permit, he has a name tag that says "Hello, my name is... TREE GUY," and you heard him telling his partner to keep the truck running. If a man like this approaches your house, I'd suggest taking one of the fallen limbs in your yard, hitting him over the head with it, and then spitting on his unconscious body. It is the safest way to be sure he's not an extortionist.
....as you can tell, I was delusional.
BUT. I digress.
The snow is beautiful here today. I love how it makes the sky bloom with white.
Here's to the start of a hopefully non-threatening winter! :)
Love,
Bailey
P.S. My mother informs me that my grammar is wrong in my header. So, new debate. Should it be "Iowan student" or "Iowa student"? Leave a comment with your opinion, if you even have an opinion on this trivial subject.
...I think "Iowan student" sounds just fine. Plus, I spent three hours making that fricking header.
Grammar shmammar. :)
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