Snowbound

Well, we are officially on the record for the most snowfall in December, and the worst winter storm in the last 40 years! Hearing someone is snowbound can bring cozy thoughts of curling up with a warm cup of coffee/tea, a soft afghan and a good book. But (especially in December) it also means:
Shoveling snow from sidewalks, porches and driveways
Snowdrifts over the top of your boots
No mail delivery
No garbage pickup
No electricity
No computers!!
Increased housework (everyone's inside)
Unopened presents
Refrigerator and freezer stocked with uncooked/uneaten holiday food
12 changes of plans with family and friends
Cabin fever

And speaking of cabin fever, some people do strange things at this time. With some help from a Christmas classic, I created my own Ode to a Snowbound Christmas.
Hope you like it!


'Twas the night before Christmas,


When all through the house


Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;


The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,


In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,


While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.


When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.


The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,


When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.


More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!


To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,


So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

But alas, there was no way they were going to stay,
There was too much ice to park the sleigh.


And the prancing and pawing of each little hoof
Was because it was very, very cold on the roof.


We waved sadly to Santa and said, "Thanks for trying.
But we'll be doing the malls for our Christmas buying.
After Christmas, of course, so cash will be saved
Because right now our driveway isn't paved."


So we'll sit right here on Christmas Day
Watching the snowdrifts that won't go away.


And we'll think of you all, and share a cup of good cheer


And then we'll exclaim, "Better luck next year!".


In spite of all I said at the beginning of this blog, we are grateful for the protection and blessings we have received throughout this winter weather, and realize many have it much worse than us. We are grateful to our neighbors who used their snow clearing equipment to clear the snow from our driveway and brought us homemade fudge!! And we are keeping in mind the real reason to celebrate this season. We wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!