Ok, so we had weather earlier this weekend that allowed the sun to shine and finally break down the hard, cold white a bit. Just enough to get its thaw on, to create nice drips off of the eaves, to allow some of the road to show, to create a little mud, to even soak your clothes when you’re out in it…
…making a snowman.
Now I know you are not the kind of people to judge a grown woman who choses to use her precious free time walking out in the hills on a windy day while thinking to herself: “perfect consistency…and I have just the right outfit” only to plop down on a whim and begin the age-old ritual of turning and churning and transforming the sticky drifts of white that really are starting to get on your nerves into something a little cuter.
A little more bearable.
Because it was coming to the end of a month that is historically tough on most North Dakotans (at least those who have to start a car or bundle up to go outside at any point in the course of 31 days) and I was starting to feel house bound, cold, melancholy and pasty white. I needed this thaw to defrost my mood.
And I needed to make a snowman dammit.
So when the blue skies opened up, like they often do on winter days in ND, and brought with it the sun and temperatures in the low 30s, you couldn’t keep me inside if you put bolts on the doors.
Because I would have crawled out the damn windows or up the chimney or taken the roof off if I had to.
I needed to be in the warm sun, no matter the howling wind.
Well, nobody locked me in the house or sealed the windows up. In fact, no one was even around the place on Friday afternoon to witness this little childish endeavor. And that’s ok. I didn’t need spectators or a partner in crime to help me achieve a January level of bliss. I just needed the perfect spot, my mittens, and all of that snow.
So I stepped out into the glistening bright world, strapped on my snowshoes, and marched for the hills, sinking in heavy white, trudging and puffing and sweating my way to the perfect spot…
…where I plopped.
I plopped down on my hands and knees and gathered up the sticky, wet, previously untouched snow as the wind whipped through my neckerchief and turned my cheeks the brightest shade of red. I gathered and rolled and patted and fluffed and shaped each ball together, imagining all of the snowmen of my youth. Remembering how we used to roll the snowballs until they grew so large we couldn’t possibly move them another inch. And then we started all over again with the second, enlisting help from the bigger, stronger, boys on the playground or our dads or big brothers to hoist the second snowball up, and then the third.
I smiled as I remembered how we would raid our parent’s coat closest for the perfect scarf, the wool cap, the gloves we would hang on the end of the sticks we managed to dig out of the snow for Frosty’s arms.
We would track snow through the kitchen and stick our rosy faces into the refrigerator looking for a carrot, because the man must have a carrot nose.
And what about the eyes? Rocks if it the snow melted enough to find them. Or coal if we knew where that was hidden.
Buttons on his chest? Maybe grandpa’s vest or dad’s old feed jacket.
And sometimes the man made out of snow would have a smile. Sometimes we would make a U-shaped trail under his nose with a piece of licorice or rocks or the appropriate ingredient found in the fridge.
But if the smile could not literally be made, if we could not find the proper ingredient, it didn’t matter.
Because by the time that snowman was all put together into a huge, towering man in a great outfit he was sure to sit in front yards, on playgrounds and on hilltops for months to come, slowly shrinking out of his clothes and his nose while bringing smiles of pride to the faces of the kids who made him and those who happened to walk or drive on by.
We all got the point.
Snowmen make you happy.
And it turns out they still do. Even when you are a bit older and a bit more affected by the stress of the weather and the pressure of a life that must go on despite the cold.
Even when they are put together by a woman determined not to lose her spirit again.
Even when they are out of site for the rest of the world.
Even if they look exactly like you.
Winter love and warmth from the ranch this week.
Don’t blow away!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... 
Jessie, you are the coolest dork ever! Man, you know how to make me smile! Thank you. 🙂
“. . . .because the man must have a carrot nose.”
Brandy
Why thank you. I have been trying to tell people that I am a dork, but the cool kind. No one seems to get it. Glad you do. 🙂
You have so much fun! Maybe, if we get more snow, maybe I’ll go make a snowman. Maybe. It’s been years.
Carol, you definitely should–good for your spirit. I fear my snowman is frozen solid here today, however…20 below zero. Yikes!
Looks like fun!
It was! It was! 🙂
I made one last week in front of the house, and it was way ugly. Yours looks cool and sophisticated. And Milo peed on mine.
Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious. I spent some time trying to keep my lab away from it…I know his intentions…always peeing on everything. Saved my snowman though…well, at least while I was looking anyway. Oh, stay warm today!
I just love your post … and your snowman. Those days are soo wonderful and to consider as treasures. I bet it is as beautiful in the spring and summertimes too 🙂 Have a great week.
/Anki
Anki, it is beautiful here in the summer and spring. Take a look in the archives on my site. In the months of June, July and August I actually have pictures of pastures that look like they are neon green! I can’t believe it myself right now and I saw it with my own eyes 🙂 Thanks for stopping in!
I loved your snowman’s scarf! After the winter comes the spring and snowmen can help you see her coming as they slowly melt away…you made a wonderful memory for yourself. Thanks for sharing.
Jess, I love my scarf too! I don’t think that snowman is going to be doing much melting today, but hopefully he starts shrinking soon. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!
So, you’re not mad at the little guy any more? I love that scarf. If you leave it on the snowman, I may have to go to ND and steal it. Look up Hermes scarves sometime and you’ll see what I mean. You always make me smile.
Well, I am mad and forgive that pug at least three or four times a day–haha. Oh, and I love my scarf too, so it’s safe inside with me. I got it at James Gang Java in Medora. Look her up http://www.jamesgangava.com. She has a lot of cute western decor and gifts. Will have to look up the scarves you’re talking about. Thanks!
We all need to play a little more … good for you! What a great snowman and such beautiful photos. I’m so glad I found your blog!
Sue, so glad you found my blog! Thanks so much for stopping by and the kind comment.
I am grateful to Jan at Long X Trading Post Visitor Center for introducing me to your blog. We were traveling out your way last week and she knew I’d love your writing, photos and creative inspiration. Looking forward to your continued effort!
Oh, that Jan. She is my blog advocate 🙂 So glad you stopped by to see the latest happenings at the ranch. Stay warm! And thanks for the kind words and support.
Love you in snow-man eye wear! And Happy February 1st from here in Haiti, where it’s a bit warmer and sunnier and, oh yeah, politically unstable. Happy one day closer to Spring!
Kathy
haha. Those were actually my sunglasses, but in all of my intense snowman making and quest for perfection, I popped the lens out…so then I popped the other one out and, you know, it really worked 🙂 Peace to you and yours in Haiti.
I’m so glad to meet you! I will truly look forward to each post. You are a lot of fun.
What a stylish looking fellow! Love these playful photos.
Aww, as always lovely pics and I love the snowman..looks very smart..got a name for him/her? Have a grand day 🙂
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