When Winter Comes in March

The excitement in my classroom Tuesday afternoon was apparent. My students had long ago informed me that a snowstorm was coming through our starkly barren region beginning that evening. And then there was the sly little comment from one of my seventh graders, slipping out after an instruction I had given about an assignment being due the next day. "If we have school tomorrow," she added, making me feel like the Grinch with a heart three sizes too small as I muttered to myself, "Pshaw. Fat chance that the wimpiest winter I've ever seen will begin now."

But that was Tuesday. Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. had me racing obsessively to the window every 10 minutes, gazing out at the wads of wet snow already packing up on my front step railings. My phone came with me everywhere. White cat bowie was allowed to use his litterbox instead of the customary morning trip out into the cold. And finally the call. My coworker housemate and I waltzed about the house, with difficulty finally settling down to take advantage of the much-needed snow day while gazing out our windows at the hill across the road, completely obliterated by blowing white.

So here's what else happens when winter surprises the U.P. in March:

Yoopers apparently don't like shovel marks. I get "yelled" at for hefting the ten inches of wet snow out of my driveway--and within minutes have a luxurious parking pad made by the school board chair's Cat.

I go poking around with my cross-country skis and find that the best trail is the one made by snowmobiles on the river--as long as one avoids the places where the trail disappears under water. . .

Sabbath morning, as I awaken to more snow, I hear the Cat next door removing it from the church parking lot. . . my house is next.

I bottom my truck out in my own driveway. I'm certain that I can hear the truck settle its wheels back on the ground as I chip away at the white mass beneath it.

Friday morning, as students begin to arrive, I'm sure I smell snowmobile exhaust, and the sheepish looks of three students tell me the rest of the story

I am so caught up and ahead after two snow days that I have time to blog!