March 2018 SOLC–Day 10
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The storm was tapering down and we were both busy, shoveling paths through the freshly fallen foot of snow. It clung to my shovel and formed irregular clumps as I hefted it off the path. Not much fun to shovel, but perfect packing snow.
“Let’s make a snowman,” I called to my husband across the yard.
“A snowman?” he asked and kept on shoveling the walk.
“Yeah,” I said, “It’ll be fun! It can greet people when they come up the driveway.” I finished my last few swipes with the shovel, put it down, and moved to a smooth area of snow-covered lawn.
“Well, I’m going to do it!” I announced.
I looked at the snow consideringly. Hmmmm…First step, make a snowball. Ok. I’ve got that. Next, start rolling it through the snow. I knew how to do this! I began with great enthusiasm, rolling my ball over and over through the snow. After several minutes I stopped. Hmmm… What was I doing wrong?
“Hey,” I called to Kurt, “This is harder than I remember.” I leaned over, examining my pathetic, lopsided not-much-bigger-than-when-I-started snowball.
“What’s hard about making a snowman?” he asked, laughing.
“I don’t know, but my snowball’s not getting much bigger. I remember this as being much easier.” I looked at my pitiful effort in disgust. The small ball lay there amidst the chaos of tracks crisscrossing the once pristine lawn.
“Maybe it’s something to do with the snow or maybe I’m forgetting something, ” I said. “Shouldn’t this be like riding a bike?”
A snowball thwacked me in the butt. “Jerk,” I called, without looking up. “Come help!”
After a minute Kurt swaggered over to take over the rolling. After a few minutes, with much less swagger, he looked askance at his pathetic, lopsided not-much-bigger-than-when-he-started snowball. He hadn’t had much more success than I, but he now had a snowball imprint on his butt, too. (I guess I hadn’t forgotten how to do that!)
Eventually, we figured it out. More or less.
And guess what? It was fun!
Nix the comfort zone 
Sweet story of your snowman’s build. Love the snowball moments too. Glad you kept at it and got your snow on!
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It was fun! We’re due for another storm on Tuesday so perhaps this won’t be the last snowman I build this season…
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We wander our way
into this
chaos of
tracks, crisscrossing
our paths into
what the storm has left
us.
The snow golem
stands, silent, but
welcoming, our hands
that built it
shape it
wait for it to
melt as winter slowly
ends.
— doing some line-lifting to leave poems as comments this morning. Thank you for the inspiration.
-Kevin
http://dogtrax.edublogs.org
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Kevin, I love finding your poem comments in slices.
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Thanks, Kevin! It’s such a treat to find a poem waiting for me in my comments! Love this!
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Your snowman is great, and so is your slice. The understatement in it is powerful, as well as your use of hyphenated words. You made me laugh!
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So glad I made you laugh!
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So uplifting to read of your fun in the snow, not the shoveling part! The play with your husband, precious.
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It was a nice moment 🙂
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Lemonade from lemons, Maine-style
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Looks like we may be squeezing more of those lemons come Tuesday!
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Say it isn’t so!
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Proof that you can play at any age. I love how you hooked your husband in.
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I think it’s hysterical that we were both briefly stumped in the process!
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Molly! I love this! What a lovely moment with your husband. I love the image of snow spots on your butts! That adds such a playful touch to your snowman building!
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I was glad I suggested it although she lost her head on Friday. Poor thing!
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Moments like these keep you young! Love the beautiful snowwoman with her long eyelashes!
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The secret to long lashes …..rose hips for eyes!
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LOVE those snowman eyes! They give such character. I didn’t help with the snowman building this year. The kids made 6–short to tall–in the last snows. I’m always amazed by the evidence of deep snow like the photo of your table/chair!
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6 snowmen! That makes me think of the crazy Calvin and Hobbes snowmen scenes–have you ever seen those? They are hysterical…in a totally warped and twisted Calvin way.
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Yes… ha! I wrote a story slice in ’16 about talking with a snowman, you might like it and get a slicing idea: http://alicenine.net/mr-snowman/
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As a snow-less person I love vicariously experiencing the beauty, fun, and even treachery of this white wonder! Love your snowman! ⛄️ and your persistence!
Kim
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It is beautiful and at this time of year, it’s a pretty safe bet that it won’t be around for too long. Happy I could help you out with some snow scenery 🙂
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I love your snowman and the story of her creation. (To me, she looks more like a her with those long lashes and flashy pink scarf!) You’ve made me want to go build a snowman myself!
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We both thought she was a snow girl. Sadly, she didn’t survive the warmer temps on Friday, but she was a brief bright presence in our lives. PS If you do go out and build a snowman, I hope you’ll share pictures.
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What a great memory you made with your husband! We are new empty nesters. Thank you for reminding me, we need to make new memories.
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We are empty nesters as well. There are definite pros and cons but I try to consciously add to the pro side when I can. Have fun making some new memories!
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This makes me so happy! I’m glad you coaxed your hubby into sharing such a joyful moment. May we always find ways to let the child inside us come out and play!!
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It was a bright spot in a happy snow day. On a side note–I can’t believe we’re at risk for another one this week! Yikes!
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SO much fun! My husband and I built a snowman the weekend he proposed and it was hard to do! I built one last year and made it a small one which was much easier.
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My husband and I once spied an 8-inch tall snowman next to a building on a city street. That might be the way to go next time! lol
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I always love your snow people, so much personailty! ❤
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I think she needs a hat!
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