Ahhh! Springtime in the Ozarks!

       Wildflower Falls after the snow

     The snow started at daybreak.  We watched as the first few flakes fell, followed by more and larger flakes--big, fluffy, puffs-- until suddenly the ground was white--much like a soft, white blanket had quietly covered the mountain.  The weather man had predicted this even though the calendar said "first day of Spring".  And, I had already removed my "Let It Snow" sign from the yard.  (I was just about to put up the "Welcome Spring" sign.)   

     What a wonderful gift!  It was Sunday and we couldn't get off the mountain, and we really didn't care!  Our cabin guests couldn't either, and decided to take the extra night we had open.  The snow didn't let up--this was the "perfect snowday".  And, I always enjoy "snow days".  It goes back to my school days as a student and later as a teacher.  My philosophy is that there are no bad snow days!  Some of the local schools may argue that since all regular snow days are used up, each additional day they loose will be made up on Saturday (Oh, No! Saturday school!) or extended the year into summer (Oh, No! Summer school!)  None the less, we can't stop the snow from falling even if we want to, and I don't want to!

      It snowed, and snowed, and snowed--just big, soft flakes--no howling winds, no extreme temperatures.  It was soon apparent that this was a "Big" snow day.  The lights flickered so we set out the candles--didn't need them!  Our neighbor called to say as expected the mama goat went into labor and had twins in the snow. She says they always wait until bad weather!  She moved them in the shed and they are now up and going strong.
     Soon, the yard was ankle deep, then knee deep in snow.  The little yellow daffodils in the flowerbeds bravely held their heads up as long as possible, then disappeared under a blanket of snow.  Note:  Three days later, they are back and looking better than ever!  (Snow has nitrogen that makes everything greener when it melts.)  Daisy was up to her neck in snow and loved it.  She made little "hops" as she ran, checking for critter scents. (Even the critters had more "sense" than to be out, but she didn't know that :-)

     Eventually, we measured 14 inches of snow with drifts up to 24 inches in places.  Probably a record for this day.  A wonderful memory. 

     It began to melt on Monday, slowly at first then so fast it sounded like rain falling.  Water pooled up in the yard in places that never have puddles.  Little streams of water everywhere--in the ditches, through the rocks, in the middle of the roads--and, waterfalls everywhere--large and small!

     We were standing on the porch when Jack said, "Quiet, listen!"  It was the sound of water gushing through the rocks.  It was our Wildflower Falls roaring down the mountain on its way to Kenner Creek, Osage Creek, and beyond.  This happens only when there is a huge rainfall, or, in this case snowfall.  Our Eagle's Rest Cabin guests can hear it even better from their vantage point.)

     I had to see the falls for my self.  We rode down part way on the four-wheelers, then slipped and slidded the rest of the way down the hill.  The above picture is some of what we saw, but, as they always say, "You had to be there!"

Happy Spring!

He makes springs pour water into ravines:

It flows between the mountains...

He waters the mountains from His upper chambers:

the earth is satisfied by the friut of His work.

                                        Psalm 104: 10,11,13

    

The Snow Fell Softly

Daisy the Snow Dog

     The snow fell softly all the night.

It made a blanket soft and white.

It covered houses, flowers and ground,

But did not make a single sound!

Alice Wilkins

     All week we were advised to get ready for a winter storm.  After last year's dramatic ice storm, we all heeded the warning:

Generators--check

candles--check 

gas cans filled--check

extra batteries--check

cell phones charged--check

hay for horses--check

neighbors contacted--check

sleds out of storage--check

milk, bread, and hot chocolate--check

We, as well as the rest of Northwest Arkansas were ready for a winter blast!

The ice on the windshield formed as we drove home from Green Forest where we had gone for a few last minute supplies.  That night the freezing rain turned to sleet, then, the snow came.  What a relief to see those flakes since that meant no more freezing on the trees.  It was snowing hard at bedtime, snowing hard in the night when I slipped out of bed to check, and snowing hard at daybreak. Sometimes blowing flakes went sideways and they passed by the windows. We were caught up in such a whirl of snow that from our view on the mountain, the world was one big snow storm!

If I were to order a perfect day, this had to be it.  Sitting by the window, good book in hand, dogs at my side (curled under the blanket), cup of hot tea nearby, nowhere important to go, family at home where they belong (Jay had just flown home from another trip to China the day before), and the electricity was working!

I guess what made it so very special is that on this day, 44 years ago, Jack and I were married--one of the area's worst snow storms had moved through South Arkansas the day before.  Last minute changes were made--Maid of Honor couldn't get from Little Rock, neither could the groomsmen.  The flowers for the reception froze in the back room (with heat on!) Nonetheless, the wedding took place.  The honeymoon was postponed until summer since the roads north were impassable.  By the way, the honeymoon destination was North Arkansas.  Over forty years later, here we are and loving it!

     The spur of delight comes in small ways.

    Robert L. Stevenson

Snow Days

Daisy and the new Flexible Flyer

As a girl growing up in the south any snowfalls were special. They still are! Though not spectacular, we enjoyed the snow that came in on Thursday and Friday. It is especially nice when the snow comes in the daytime when I can sit at the window and watch the yard and surounding fields fill up with the white stuff.

Some of my favorite memories involve snow. Jack and I were married in January during semester break at college. That week one of the largest snowfalls to hit south Arkansas came and stayed! Some of the wedding party missed the rehersal dinner the night before, and some never made it to the wedding! The flowers for the reception at my grandmother's house were partially frozen when my aunt, thinking she would keep them fresh overnight, put them on the attic stairs! The snow meant that our honeymoon had to be p0stponed until the following summer. Maybe it was providence since this was when we discovered the beautiful mountains of north Arkansas.

When Jay was little, we lived lived a little further north in Benton-- on a hill. Our family, along with the neighbors survived nine glorious days "stranded". We spent the time sledding down the long hills in the neighborhood. I can remember a night with kids and grownups alike sledding in the moonlight and warming our hands with mugs of hot cocoa between runs. Priceless!!

That was when I learned what an exhilerating experience sledding can be. We still have the old Flexible Flyer from that time when Jay was little, but early this winter I bought a new one in anticipation of someday seeing Jack Henry on it. (Really, I wanted one myself. ) Though the snow was melting fast yesterday, I managed to get in several good runs on our own "bunny slope", with plans to go the distance on the "long run". The "long run" is the ultimate in sledding fun. We start at the top of our drive and go sailing down to the mailbox--a distance of about 200 curvey yards. Again, priceless! However, the temperatures and sun made the long trip down impossible, and I bogged down into the soft gravel before reaching the bottom. Oh well, it is just February. Still time for another good snow or two before spring.

Snow Toward Evening

Suddenly the sky turned gray,

The day,

Which had been bitter and chill,

Grew soft and still.

Quietly

From some invisible blossoming tree

Millions of petals cool and white

Drifted and blew,

Lifted and flew,

Fell with the falling night.

--Melville Cane

Cabin Fever

Jack got a call at 10:00 Monday night saying "no school tomorrow". With an extra hour of sleep behind us, we woke up to a winter wonderland of crystals and frost. I am always amazed at the beauty of a phenomenon we never knew existed in south Arkansas--frozen fog. It looks exactly like someone took a can of that spray snow you buy at Christmas and liberally sprayed the whole mountain! It's fascinating and so beautiful it is hard to describe. We will see this several times each winter when low clouds and fog roll in and freeze to everything it touches from fences to bushes to trees. It happens in the higher elevations, and as you drive down the mountain, you will see a line where it starts. Beautiful!!

The ice coating on the porch, steps, and ground made walking hazardous. Molly's first encounter with the ice took her sliding across the porch, down the steps, and to an abrupt halt at the gate post! Needless to say, she was more careful the second time around. Jack thawed out the vehicles, but decided driving was risky. And, we didn't have to go anywhere anyway! He stayed out long enough to give the birds and deer a extra ration of food. Then found a few inside "honey do" jobs to keep busy.

It stayed cold, foggy, and dreary all day. I spent my day putting the finishing touches on our website and doing a little reading. It was nice. Bad weather is a good excuse for dropping chores and picking up a good book. I'm reading a series called "Mysteries of Sparrow Island"-- a Christmas gift. Also watched a DVD of "The Walton's". I have always loved that series. Mountain life has always fascinated me, I guess.

Tuesday night we got another call informing us there would be no school on Wednesday. Again, we got in that extra hour of sleep, drank an extra cup of coffee, and watched the deer and birds out the window. Then "cabin fever" set in. We had to get out. After checking the roads, Jack declared it safe, and away we drove for a short trip to the post office. Hey! Two packages! A new thermometer that projects the time and outside temperature on the ceiling by our bed, (just in time to watch another cold wave ) and a vintage souvenir Arkansas plate which gives me a collection of 2!

Then, a burger at Compton One Stop where we met a friend who was trying to get home, but wasn't sure his van would make it up the steep hill by his house. We followed him home with no problem. Just a little mud!

We watched the weatherman tonight as he predicted the next few days of cold, wintry, windy, and just plain miserable weather. We'll get ready for another "snow day" and when it comes we 'll enjoy the day. I consider these unexpected mini-vacations a "perk" for mountain living.

I have a good friend who leaves this message on her phone when she's out. I repeat it when I find myself not happy about how the day is going--weather wise and otherwise.

"This is the day that the Lord hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24