White Thanksgiving

 

     I used to live in South Carolina; Charleston, to be exact. Beautiful city. Summa' the homes have the taste of Old-World Southern Mansion to 'em. I really liked it there, but I've liked pretty much everywhere I've ever lived. We lived there 'bout a year; maybe a little longer. Until I moved to South Dakota, Charleston was the closest thing to feelin' like home, to me. Dunno' why.

     I recall the year I was in seventh grade. From the get-go, there were surprises. I had lived previously in Maine, where snow was just  a way of life; kinda' like the Dakotas. In Maine, the snow could be ten feet deep an' life went on like always. Stores opened, kids went to school, business din't really change all that much.

     Things are different in South Carolina. In fact, I woke up one mornin', shortly before Thanksgiving an' was thrilled to see snow on the ground. I was a kid; that's what kids do. Everything was covered in that thin layer of white that, in some places, might almost seem like frost. The locals seemed to think it had snowed durin' the night. A full quarter-inch of snow had been recorded at the weather bureau.

     7:00 in the mornin' an' there was a knock on the door. Our next door neighbor was wrapped tightly in her robe, hair still showin' pillow-friendly signs an' teeth chattering. Even before we could invite her in, Mrs. LeBeau was talkin' a mile a minute. The panic in her voice was unmistakable. She din't know what to do. Should she send her son to school or keep him home? It was snowing, after all.

     I recall the difficulty that my mama had in keeping a straight face. She was a veteran driver in ALL circumstances. It took her awhile to realize that the locals were not used to driving on slippery roads. While she tried to calm our neighbor, she casually turned the radio on to listen to the weather report. Before long, we heard the news that would be the final word in calming Mrs. LeBeau; all schools would be closed until further notice, due to unsafe driving conditions. That was Monday, before Thanksgiving. It snowed again, that night an' the next. I sure wasn't complainin'; I was a kid an' school was out, unexpectedly.

     We din't hafta' return to school until the Monday following Thanksgiving. Only time I ever recall havin' a full week off for Thanksgiving. Truth be told, it was a sorry time for a vacation; we din't even have enough snow to build a miniature snowman. Sure makes me glad that I live where I do; where snow falls for real.

     Let's hope we all get a week's vacation for Thanksgiving, this year, but not for the same reason. Otherwise, we might never dig outta' the snow.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Biggest Hailstone Ever Found In the United States!

     Are you ready for the rains to subside a little bit? I sure am.  To say the least, between the heat and the rain, this has been an interesting summer.

     Did you happen to see South Dakota's newest title?  Seems that in Vivian on July 23rd a farmer, Les Scott, stepped outside to collect hailstones that set records.  Unfortunately, after he gathered and stored several of them in the freezer, the electricity went out.  It's funny how that sometimes happens in electrical storms.

     'Course, there couldn't have been too much melting on accounta' Vivian still captured the titled of Biggest Hailstone Ever Found In the United States. In the end, a person's gotta' wonder 'bout a few things, though.

     • If the largest hailstone measured 7" across and weighed just under two pounds, how big was it Before some of it melted?

     • Did ANY of the cows come home after being bombarded with two-pound hail?  Or were they all knocked unconscious out in the field?

     • How many houses were pummeled to death by such large hail?

     • Can you imagine the bruises that a two pound hailstone would cause?  Why, one more storm like that and the worlds' population problem would be ended.  Unfortunately, so would the world's Bread Basket.

     • Are there any birds or small animals left in Vivian and the surrounding area?

     • Will the hens EVER lay eggs again?!?

     • CAN the hens ever lay eggs again?  Are there any hens left?

     • What kind of snowball fight are the Cloud People preparing for, anyway?

     • Just when you thought it was safe to go outside…

     So, ya' know in the past when people used to build storm shelters for protection from things like tornadoes?  Like, whatever happened to those good ol' days?

     Yes, I believe I am ready for summer's rains to end.  'Specially, if this is an indication of what's to come!  I'm afraid we'd all hafta' find caves to live in, just to protect ourselves from the new, thicker elements.  Be safe, everyone… and wear hard-hats.  Better yet, wear suits of armor.  We'll all become Knights In Shining, albeit very dented, Armor.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

I'm A Human And That's Okay With Me

I learned, today, that somewhere in the great state of South Dakota, the weather was once as fickle as a feather in a hurricane. In 1936, there was actually a difference of 158 degrees that separated the hottest from the coldest in the state. And this, by only a few miles distance. Its true; from 58 degrees below zero to 120 degrees above zero was the record opposites for that year.

How do people continue to survive with such challenges? For that matter, has anyone asked your neighbor "Llama" what his opinion of the highs and lows is? When the weather starts leveling out at around 50 degrees, I'm already searching for my friend, the air conditioner. Or, at the very least, a fan. I begin gasping for air long before the first rays of sunlight brighten the morning horizon. How does life continue to thrive when even the planet seems to have emotional ups and downs?

When I think of all the "Coated" creatures running around without central heating or air conditioning, it almost makes me want to run right out and invite some of my four-footed friends into the cozy comfort of indoor living. I don't know about you, but at the moment, I am very happy to be a member of the human race, as opposed to some of those animals who don't have the opportunity to enjoy such pleasures as air-conditioning and heating. It would seem that even Mother Nature has her "Mood Swings," but from where I'm sitting, its good to be making choices from my position as a person, instead of say, a Llama.