Sunday, February 08, 2015

Snow


So here we are, deep in the depths of winter, with thoughts of spring six weeks away, at least that’s what a sleepy ground hog suggested. Many people by this time of the season are fed up with it.  They curse the cold; they despise the snow.  They complain about winter every opportunity they get.

So it’s time to  say a few positive things about snow, that white stuff which usually covers the ground here in Wisconsin from about the middle of November to the middle of March, give or take a few days on each side. That amounts to 120 days of snow in an average year, or almost a third of the year.  Now if you think about it that way, wow.  Depression and sour thoughts.

But let’s look on the bright side, sure snow is slippery—if it weren't, skiing and sledding and snowmobiling wouldn't work all that well.  And snow can be a bit heavy to shovel—but most of us could use a little more exercise.

Snow is also down right beautiful.  A snowfall turns a drab brown and gray landscape into one that sparkles in white.  Snow takes all the sharp edges and rounds them, forms the countryside into a broad sweep of undulating, sparkling uniformity.

So, let’s give a cheer for snow. It’s here for about four months each year.  Let’s quit badmouthing it and embrace it.  Go outside and build a snowman.  Or take a walk in a snowstorm.  Or strap on a pair of snowshoes and hike off into the woods.

“Snow kidding,” you might enjoy it. (Sorry for that.)

THE OLD TIMER SAYS. Three cheers for snow.  Or, at least two.

SPECIAL EVENT: Garden Expo. Alliant Center, Madison. Saturday, February 14.
I will be signing books in the UW Press booth from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Featuring the GREAT SAND FRACAS OF AMES COUNTY.

I will be speaking about GARDEN WISDOM from 2:15 p.m.-3:15, followed by a book signing.
            Hope to see you there.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. River Falls Library. The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County.

Wednesday, February 25, 11:30-1:30 Chapter 2 Bookstore, Hudson, WI. The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County & The Quiet Season.

Purchase Jerry’s DVDS and his Books from the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fund raiser for them):

The library now has available signed copies of Jerry’s DVDs, Emmy Winner, A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps and Jerry Apps A Farm Story.
Also available are several of Jerry’s signed books including The Quiet Season (on which the DVD A Farm Winter is based), as well as Rural Wit and Wisdom and Old Farm, (which are related to the DVD Jerry Apps a Farm Story). Also available is Jerry’s new novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County.
Contact the library for prices and special package deals.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
920-622-3835




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