Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Hallmark romanticizes cold weather with it’s perfectly matching plaid outfits, pristine snow boots and a cup of hot cocoa steaming in one’s hand; perfect hair and untainted soft complexions complete the look. 

That is not at all how we looked growing up. Most of our winter clothes smelled of horses, hay, dogs and chickens. Our winter coats and pants were stained with years of wear and tear and our mud boots were just that, covered in mud, horse manure, and snow, depending on the temperature and where you stepped. As far as one’s complexion, well, rosy cheeks matched the red runny nose that came naturally with the biting cold. The only part of our hair that was perfect were the few strands sticking out from our snow caps. Underneath the cap you could find a matted mess of life on the plains.

Cold weather never stopped life in South Dakota. Snow tires, chains, and four-wheel drive took care of most problems during the winter time; that and the city snow plows. Any other problems, hot chocolate, warm socks, and a fire place could fix. On average the winter temperatures could fluctuate from -20 degrees to 45 degrees just depending upon the severity of the winter. I remember seeing extremely cold temperatures where it reached -50 degrees. That was a picture made for the photo album.

Blizzards were no laughing matter in this country. When you live in a place where there is more acreage than population, it becomes a matter of life or death to know how to survive if ever caught in one.

I remember one blizzard in-particular, it was snowing so hard we could not even see the barn out of the house window. Dad and I decided this would be a good time to borrow a movie from the neighbors that lived one road over. Snow drifts were already blocking the roads so travel was quickly becoming impossible. When dad had to lock in the hubs just to get us out of the drive-way, I knew this was not a smart decision. The next road over was drifted completely shut. Dad parks the truck and climbs out; the wind howling like a pack of wolves. Before he heads off into a pitch-black snow globe, he turns and tells me, “If I am not back in fifteen minutes, get out and follow the neighbor’s yard light to their house. DO NOT loose sight of that light.” I’m pretty sure I swallowed my gum as he spoke. In the end, he made it back, we got the movie and plowed home safely. Mom, however, had a mouthful to say when we came inside. Ironically enough, I got the same movie for Christmas that year. We laugh often about that experience.

Even in all the dangers the winter cold can bring, it becomes a way of life. Instinctively, just living each day and not thinking much about it.

Winter activities were some of my absolute favorites; like ice-skating on the neighbor’s pond. We had to wait until the ice was 4 to 6 inches thick before Dad would let us skate, but what fun it was when the skating commenced! Once, our dog, Missy, went out on ice that was too thin. There was nothing that could be done, except, Jesse, the lab that lived just down the road wasn’t about to let Missy drown. He came to her rescue and pulled her in to safety. Twelve puppies later, we realized he was her prince.

We had rolling hills around the back of our place and when it snowed, they looked like big piles of whipped cream. All of us kids who lived nearby would gather in our back pasture and begin the long climb to the top. Once we reached the top there was no turning back. Not even the barbed wire fence at the bottom could stop us. Flying down the hill, a thought crossed my mind, “What are the odds I would ever make it that far down?” The answer came swiftly as I flattened my body into a pancake and sailed under the barbed wire fence. God really does look after children and their senseless decisions.

Riding horses in the snow was something special. Listening to the snow crunch under their hooves is a memorable sound. I loved to bury my hands in Red’s mane when the cold was biting my fingers, or to lay my head on his warm neck. My sister and I would find the biggest snow drift, climb up on Mr. Ed’s back and then fall off of him laughing and giggling. He would just stand there as if thinking to himself, “And to think I had my chance as a workin’ horse.” It may have been cold outside but warmth penetrated our hearts as we enjoyed so many wonderful times; braving the bite.

Today, I know all too well the frustration that comes with small snow pants, coats, boots and mittens. No sooner than we grace the outdoors that someone has to go “potty“.  A deep breath and a quick glance down at an overstuffed little girl, makes me laugh.

When I look back on all the joys of the winter months, I can also look forward to all the adventures awaiting Eva Jewel as she grows and learns just how wonderful the cold is outside.

Welcome Home

“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with You eternal pleasures are at Your right hand.” Psalms 16:11

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