HRH Morgan Leigh (Her Royal Highness, another of her nicknames–Leigh is her middle name) was supposed to go to the WVU football game Saturday night with my cousins. I dropped her off over at the old farmhouse and by the time they were ready to go, it was snowing and they decided that driving further north to Morgantown for even more snow was not a good idea, especially since driving back at 2 am was on the agenda. Originally, Weston (15) was supposed to go since he is, after all, the football player in the family. He took a look at the weather forecast, contemplated hours in freezing stands, and declared magnanimously, “I will allow Morgan to go.” And so Morgan was “stuck” with my cousins until Monday since our backroad became impassable. Of course, if Weston had gone, he would have walked home way before then. The Princess, on the other hand, has to be coerced to walk across the room, so she stayed put, enduring the hardships of Georgia’s house, which include short order cook service, TV, and constant supervision of whether or not she is wearing a hat if she steps outside.
Meanwhile, Ross (17) got stuck in town because he’d gone to work at McDonald’s and couldn’t come home. He stayed at his girlfriend’s house. (Her mother was there!)
52, who had come to finish work on the well, was stuck with me, and Weston enjoyed his mastery of his domain as the only child in the house–which, for a middle child, is paradise indeed.
The chickens got cold feet and spent most of the weekend inside the hen house.
Clover spent most of the weekend complaining because she went into heat right before it snowed. Before I could set up a hot date to knock her up, we were snowbound and she lamented, loudly, of her lost lover. She wrote long, sobbing, romantic poems in the snow and snapped at Honey and Nutmeg when they looked at her wrong.
Coco rejoiced in the ridiculousness of all this white stuff. She bounced and cavorted and carried sticks.
Hmm. You don’t look so white now, do ya, Giant Puppy?
She had a great time playing with Dookie.
I wonder why Dookie doesn’t like her?
It’s a mystery.
Have you noticed my license plate yet?
It’s 1ED521.
That’s not a specialty plate or anything. That’s just the plate the DMV gave me.
52’s initials are E.D., by the way.
Coco and I think this is an amazing coincidence.
Meanwhile, back in our snowed in weekend, 52 and I, in some kind of lunatic replacement therapy for the missing children, decided to get out the sled and go down the very long, very steep driveway together. Let me tell you, this is one wicked sled ride. It’s the scariest sled ride I’ve ever had in my life and there was a lot of screaming involved. And I’m not just talking about 52. (Just kidding! He is very manly and he did not scream. I screamed for both of us.) Then I talked him into doing it a second time. Then because it was so scary, I got Weston to go down the driveway on the sled.
He came back after one time, said I was trying to kill him, and refused to go again. I TOLD YOU IT WAS SCARY!! HE IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER!!
We had food. We had water. We had heat. We had fun. It was beautiful. And come Monday, the state road people finally remembered us poor people in the sticks and put down cinders on the road and slowly, very slowly, we got out. Children came home. 52 drove away. I baked cookies and bread and contemplated the likelihood of getting fired from any job I might take in town because at any given time our road may become impassable for days. (It doesn’t take much snow to get snowed in here. I noticed it took the state road two days to bring help to our boonies backroad. And when that narrow boonies backroad is flanked by steep drop-offs, sliding off is not a welcome thought.)
I believe I shall simply plant a money tree out front……..!!
(Okay, okay, truth–I was awed by your many wonderful, creative suggestions and I am pursuing several possibilities. I’ll let you know when I get it figured out. Thank you SO much for the generous ideas and encouragement!)
Leah says:
ED=Edward Davis? Just a guess everyone.LOL
On December 9, 2008 at 4:46 am
Patricia Herman says:
Being I am from Texas – I am only dream about snow like that – glad to see 52,your son and you had an adventure sleighing…and think its not even winter yet.
Love the pictures of Coco – like you said he’s not so white against all that snow.
On December 9, 2008 at 5:17 am
beekudzu says:
I have to dream about snow, too, darn it!
Coco and Dookie play like Gracie, our Boxer-Bull mix and Prissy, our little Shi Tzu. Prissy almost never enjoys it as much as Gracie does.
On December 9, 2008 at 6:05 am
Diane says:
We got snow over the weekend. I got caught in it comming home from the store. Nothing like driving 10-20 miles and hour 20 miles from home. lol. I called my husban and said if I am not home in an hour come and look for me!! lol. We made it thankfully. There was several other people who did not as we passed them planted in hill banks and ditches along the side of the road. I kept on driving for fear if I did stop I would soon be in a ditch myself.
On December 9, 2008 at 6:36 am
Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife says:
I love being snowed in, but here in northern Illinois that takes ALOT of snow. Unfortunately the roads are as flat as a pancake the the plowing crews can work miracles. We had some record breaking snows back in 1967 and also 1978. Our wedding reception was cancelled due to the snow, we had to freeze our wedding cake and have the party two weeks later when everyone dug themselves out.
I love snow. I don’t love the dirty, wet, slushy mess when it starts to melt.
– Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
On December 9, 2008 at 6:46 am
Kelly Myers says:
Love the snow! Being city dwellers (puking and gagging over that)we never get snowed in for more than an hour here. Bummer…
Oh, the license plate? Destiny! Meant too be!
On December 9, 2008 at 6:56 am
TeresaH says:
The license plate is definitely a sign!!!
We had snow here yesterday afternoon and evening. But I think we only got about 3 inches.
On December 9, 2008 at 7:11 am
IowaCowgirl says:
I’m with ya today…iced and snowed in here in Iowa…no school…
On December 9, 2008 at 7:47 am
Tammy says:
Hey, Suzanne! My husband wants you to kick 52 out and marry him. Reason? Your sour cream enchilada recipe. YUMMMMMMM!
On December 9, 2008 at 8:20 am
MissyinWV says:
I am glad to see I wasn’t the only one contemplating the game on Saturday. In the end my opinion did not stop my children from taking the trip to Morgantown but at least they all got a room and drove back the next day. :weather:
I didn’t enjoy this snow as much as usual because DH was at work and the girls were in Morgantown. I was home alone with the cats and mostly worried about the family being out on the roads. :weather:
And Suzanne, YES I noticed the license plate! At first I thought you missed it, then it was in the next photo. Please advise all would be stalkers to take note that in WV we carry guns. BIG GUNS. :rambo:
On December 9, 2008 at 9:06 am
Katy says:
The snow looks beautiful and it sounds like you had a great time! I think my husband and I are moving to WV in the next couple of months, so I’m hoping to experience it firsthand. We don’t get much snow where I live, which is probably a good thing since I think our road snow removal equipment consists of a riding lawnmower with a snow shovel duct taped to the front.
On December 9, 2008 at 9:26 am
heidiannie says:
That ride down the drive looks wicked- way wicked! You all are very brave! I usually decline those quick rides down because I hate the walk back up- but in this case I would decline in fear of loss of life or limb. Your son is right – that could KILL a person!
On December 9, 2008 at 9:28 am
Becky says:
The sleigh ride looks like so much fun. And dangerous. But mischief happens when you’re snowed in with nothing to do.
My husband received a Santa with a list stand alone ornament when he was a child. Our names, one after the other, are listed on the list. Fate? Just like you license plate. Some things are just meant to be.
The kids got a mini vacation, huh? Being snowed in is so much fun!!
On December 9, 2008 at 9:38 am
Suzette says:
I’m in envy of your snow. We usually get one per year here in Western Tennessee, and we revel in it when it arrives – usually in January. I do miss the winters in the DC area. Really I do. There’s something to be said for distinct seasons. Each has its charms.
Anyway…glad everyone survived the weather with no mishaps. And…welcome to the comments section, 52. Drop by often…we’re friendly folk! 🙂
On December 9, 2008 at 9:47 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
I love it that 52 added a comment! And I, too, envy you your snow. Down here in the ATL we don’t get it often – in fact, we have ice more than snow – but we have had our very famous blizzards and “Snow Jams” when the entire Metro area shut down. I’m just glad everyone had a safe, good time over the weekend. :catmeow:
On December 9, 2008 at 10:13 am
Gail says:
I would also like a sprout or rooting of the money tree you
are going to plant. Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christmas tree farms abound. Just think, if I started a Money Tree Farm, I should make a good income selling the trees! (limit one per customer….I want to be able to stay in business!)
We haven’t had enough snow here to sled yet. Our driveway is long and up a very steep hill, with sharp curves and
a steep drop off on one side. Hubby keeps saying we’ll sled down it. I now think I WILL NOT! If a 15 yr. old football player wouldn’t go down your driveway a second time… that says it all! Nope, not me!
Poor Coco…give her a hug for me.
On December 9, 2008 at 10:16 am
coffeefrappe says:
Hi Suzanne (and 52)
I commented yesterday during the onslaught of de-lurking, but for some reason it never did show up with the others. So I thought I would try again today. (And since my blurb didn’t show up, I’ll tell you again-Thanks for the mac and cheese recipe. We love it!)
I love the snow, but don’t get much here in Central Tennessee. However, since the threat of flurries can keep the kids home and my hubs won’t go to work if there’s much more than a dusting on the curvy hils of this area, it somehow keeps its “specialness.” We all just hunker down and enjoy each other’s company for however long it lasts.
I used to live in central Wisconsin, and I know exactly what one of the other commenters meant about the slushy, sloppy mess it makes when it all begins to melt. I used to feel that way too, but it happens so seldom here, it’s not really a problem.
On December 9, 2008 at 10:38 am
Suz in the Tules says:
:cattail: Loved the snow pix.
As for your income; why not select a corny nom de plume and write for ladies’ mags or true confession? Better yet,give Coco the credit!
Enjoying your winter; all we have yet in NV is cold.
On December 9, 2008 at 11:07 am
Robin G. says:
Poor Clover. I’ve had days like that.
On December 9, 2008 at 11:27 am
Lisa says:
We’re not snowed in, but I’m a first year teacher and this is my first snow day. It’s AMAZING! I slept in (on a Tuesday!) and at your inspiration I am going to bake bread and cookies. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying your snow and ice as much as we Iowans are.
On December 9, 2008 at 11:28 am
Melissa's Cozy Teacup says:
Good snowy morning. It snowed in Colorado last night. Have you thought about a job where you can telecommute? Some places allow customer service reps to take calls while at home. You wouldn’t have to worry about being snowed in and you could still juggle home stuff and set your own schedule, to a certain degree.
On December 9, 2008 at 11:37 am
Granny Sue says:
We drove across the state over the weekend to make fruticakes with my sisters in Virginia. It was a lovely snowy drive, but I heard that the worst part of the weekend was Saturday night when I was safely baking.
A friend of mine does some kind of online job like a customer service rep, Suzanne. He only makes $8 a hour, I think, but he can work in his pj’s and no commute! Something like that might work well for you. I can get details if you like.
As for me, I also live in a remote place with a long tricky driveway. I’ve been commuting 50 miles one way to work since 1983. It’s not fun some days, but I am often at work when those who live in the city can’t make it. Put chains on your tractor and it will go almost anywhere. Then leave your vehicle out by the “good” road and take the tractor out to it in bad weather. It’s not ideal but it’s one way to live way out and still work full time.
On December 9, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Mim says:
Kinda late in reading this today…crisis….someone’s goat was running loose…with the help of my younger brother we caught the goat & put it in the pen with the alpacas…bad idea…caught the goat again & put it in the pen behind my sister’s house….can’t wait til she gets home & sees the goat… Now about the snow, my “crazy” husband thinks his old red four wheel drive Chevy can go anywhere…. they say opposites attract…he loves to go when it is snowing & I want to stay home…
On December 9, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Jodie says:
I’m now trying to think of all the E names… Ed, Eddy, Eddie, Edward, Earl, Edgar, Eli, Elliot, Elton, Elvis, Eric, Eugene, Ervin, Erwin, Emerson. It’s HARD! I think 52 looks like an Edward. But I’m sure you won’t tell us!
PS. Love the goats in snow picture. It’s the young ones 1st winter. I’m sure they still frolic on sunny days but probably are confused about the white stuff on the ground.
Here’s hoping you don’t get snowed in too much. It makes driving a problem. I guess you need to have horses… does the school have a stable so that your kids can go on horseback to school?
On December 9, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Brandy says:
Sounds like a good time was had by all. *G*
On December 9, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Sonia says:
Wow! How great to have snow at this time of year. Is there anyone commenting here who lives further afield? We are in summer at the moment but in the winter we put rugs on our goats! (miniture pony or dog rugs work well) Then the goats use their energy producing milk instead of keeping warm.
Love your blog and enjoy the similar points in the lives we live.
Christmas cheers from Tasmania, Australia.
On December 9, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Estella says:
The snow is beautiful—just glad I don’t have it here.
On December 9, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Donna says:
Brrrrrr! The high here, tomorrow is going to be 46! ICK
Of course, when I was young, I LOVED it..didn’t want it to end!
That Coco..she is going to have herself a BIG time, no matter where she is, or WHAT she’s in. LOL I just love her!!! What a sweet, loving GIANT PUPPY!!!
I always laugh at your kids stories…they are so funny!!! Morgan Leigh is a pretty name!
52 is very good natured! That’s another of his good qualities!!!! I love good natured people! They lift you up!
On December 9, 2008 at 4:33 pm
catslady says:
A trip that should have taken 15-20 min. on Saturday took us over an hour – creeping up icy hills and passing cars that couldn’t make it.
And many of us think it is a sign!
On December 9, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Susan says:
You could always ride the sled to work. 😮
On December 9, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Stephanie says:
Snow…. YEA Snow…. I miss it so. Ok, not the being snowed in part, but the fun you can have in it. Thanks for the snow pictures, I needed that.
On December 9, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Carolyn A. says:
Please send us some snow to Baltimore, I miss it so much at this time of year. I saw 52’s comment here. Good to know that you two are really in love and cherish each other. Making each other smile is #1 in my book. xxoo
On December 9, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Kelly says:
Well,
I am in the part of Texas that only gets snow once every 25 years and the last time it snowed here ( about 2 years ago ) I was celebrating Christmas in W.Va. where it did not snow !!!
I so miss the stillness of snow .
It settles the senses .
On December 10, 2008 at 3:20 am
Kara S says:
What?!? You got cinders on your road? You’re lucky! The Calhoun road dept came down our backroad at 11 p.m. Sunday night. Yep, 11 p.m. when most of the world is sleeping. Snow plows are really noisy at that time of night esp on gravel roads. They happened to miss most of the ice/snow and dumped some type of small loose rock stuff instead of cinders. Um, small loose rocks on ice do not make for good traction. Thankfully it’s all melted but now we have a very muddy, slippery road. Sigh. We can’t win.
On December 10, 2008 at 9:58 am