Storm

Strange how a Winter Storm can bring back memories from days gone by.

Remember how we used to look forward to getting snowed in?
Back in the days when the snow fell....a person stayed home....safe...warm....
getting closer to family, playing games, cooking, reading and putting a puzzle
together.

Remember when a rope tied frome the house to the barn secured the animals
survival, but not always the farmer's? Scarey things but true. It
was a true "lifeline".

I think that is why I always enjoyed the story line of "Little House
On The Prairie". There were things that were similar to my rural growing
up, but the adventures of Laura and all made my life on the farm seem very
tame and yes, safe.

Lately I have been reading more and have begun to write again. This is not anything
new to me...but something I have resolved to do more of in 2005.

These flashbacks of memory help me "remember when".

Back to the talk of storms. I remember the wind howling as the storm intensified.
The rattle of the tin and the tink it made as the Snow hit and the shutters shimmyed. I remember carrying in more wood than the storage place on the back porch would hold knowing how important it would soon become.

I remember Mom doing her Mother Hen things she always did when preparing
for another onslaught of Winter. She always organized things quickly and
made us all feel safe and warm and tucked in soundly.

Those ventures outside afterwards were always fun too....adventure of
the purest kind. Digging tunnels, walking on Snowshoes handed down
from Grandpa, making Snow Angels. Hot Chocolate and warming hands
by the wood stove while watching the wet mittens sizzle and pop as
they dried. It was always my job to make sure they did not burst into
flames.

Oh, don't forget breaking icicles off the edge of the buildings so they
did not become weapons. Did your parent warn you about that too? HeHe...
How about "Don't eat the Yellow Snow". Like we would????

This story has no real plot, just me wandering down memory lane as this
latest winter storm trudges in on us.

Safe here, all cozy.......just called my children and they are all as
safe as can be on a night like this....

All is well....

I hope this little story has awakened some memories of your own and
that you perhaps too will write them down...for someday someone
might enjoy reading them and so it goes on and on...

Goodnight from Iowa where there is a Storm outside, but a warm heart
inside....take care and will write soon again.

Katie