It Snowed!!

I entitled my last post "Let It Snow!" It did! It snowed and snowed and snowed. It snowed several inches on Monday and then snowed all day Wednesday and into the night. We received a total of thirteen inches over one inch of ice that was already on the ground. This was a history making storm, breaking several weather records. It was also the third longest streak of below freezing temperatures since 1879 when Arkansas starting recording its weather: 209 consecutive hours below freezing. 

That's enough facts. I didn't post today to recite facts, but to let you see the beautiful snow! I'm still recovering from the second lithotripsy, so I wasn't able to play outside very much. Just a few short trips close to the house. The day it snowed all day, I found the perfect spot to watch it as I rested. Our guest room has a large window and a warm bed!

I watched the snow accumulate on the bare tree limbs. I love bare trees. I love to see those limbs stretching in all directions. They are especially fascinating when covered with snow.

Looks like the birds were snowed in!

At the end of the full day of snowfall we finally saw the sun and melting began. I took a lot of pictures from inside looking out.

We live in the city limits of the biggest city in the state. But, we live rurally so there's no snow plows coming to dig us out. Jerry worked hard at keeping our driveway cleared in case we needed out. Thankfully we didn't. He'd come up missing and I'd open the door and hear him plowing the neighbor's drives and roadways. I know he was being nice, but actually, it was just a good excuse to play in the snow!

The sun came out on Friday making it feel much warmer than it was. I think everyone was ready for a little sunshine! I know I was!

I knew my  Lenten Rose bush had buds on it before it snowed, but I didn't even think to cover and protect it. I was relieved when the snow melted enough for me to see that the buds weren't hurt at all! These are the hardiest little shrubs I've ever seen. The bud looks like it's ready to open, but it will take several weeks to fully open. Then the blooms will last for three to four months. Amazing!

We had some mighty long icicles hanging from our roof; the longest seven foot! You don't want to be under these things when they fall. This is another picture taken from inside. The little building in the background is my potting shed that Jerry and his friend built for me.

As the snowed melted off the roof it dripped on the plants in the flower bed. It refroze  encasing the leaves in ice.

A good day of melting revealed a dandelion flower that had been covered in snow. I can't imaging how this flower survived and still looked beautiful!

And lastly, one must have a snowman! Still recovering from my procedure kept me from making one. I could only be outside for a few minutes at a time, since walking in 14" of snow  and ice was just too hard. Nature made the snowman for me! The snowman is actually a large vintage milk can that snow accumulated on. All I had to do was add the hat, scarf, and eyes! Such fun!!

I know a good portion of the United States has seen artic cold and various precipitation this past week. Many have had to deal with frozen water pipes, power outages, traffic nightmares, and food shortages. I am so grateful I can stay home and enjoy the snow. I'm also so happy for all the children that were able to enjoy this history making snow! They will never forget it! I hope wherever you are, you are safe and warm!

 

Let It Snow!

I always hesitate a little when I say I love winter. I do get some unbelievable looks and I've even gotten hateful looks. But, I do. I really do love it! I love the cold, fresh air. I love my nose and cheeks tingling.

I love the smell of firewood burning to keep homes warm. I love the blue skies and sometimes the dreary skies. But most of all . . . I LOVE SNOW!

I inherited my love of snow from my mom. I don't remember her ever going out and playing in the snow. She just loved to watch it. Every time it snowed, she would call me or I would call her and say "look out the window, it's snowing." I miss that so very much! This year my daughter sent me a message and my sister called me. Each telling me "it's snowing!" They know I love it.

The snow was powdery and didn't stick to many of the trees and bushes, but it did stick to my azalea bushes.

In the middle of the big snow, I was at the hospital for my lithotripsy procedure. It was horrible getting there and even worse getting home! I'm thankful Jerry knows how to drive in bad conditions. Returning home we made it all the way to our driveway without much trouble, but then a friend had to tow us up our drive!

Yesterday seven inches accumulated with another 5 to 8 inches predicted today. For Arkansas this is history. My grandchildren haven't ever seen this much snow at home. The last biggest snow I remember was about 1979. My daughter was three and I were able to make a snow castle for her. Of course, if I add a picture of my daughter, I need to also add a picture from 1985 of my son in the snow.

And, if I add the children, I might as well add a picture of Jerry. We live out in the country with narrow roads, many hills and of course no road clearing at all. Jerry got the tractor out and cleared our driveway just in case of an emergency. Like I said we haven't had snow like this in years. This was his first time to plow the driveway! I think he enjoyed it!

I wish I could have spent more time outside yesterday when I took these pictures, but even though the sun was out, but it was extremely cold. We've been below freezing for almost a week. I'm snug inside watching more snow falling today. I'll keep you updated on the totals!

Winter Arrives

Winter is here! I realize the calendar has said that for a few weeks, but Arkansas weather did not get the message. We've had rather warm temperatures so far, until this week. Now it is finally winter. I do love cold weather that bites your nose and stings your toes! 

Wednesday night into Thursday we had freezing rain and sleet. This isn't the kind of precipitation I was hoping for.  I really wanted it to snow, but ice does make interesting pictures.

Even though the sun wasn't out the ice sparkled in the morning light.

I love finding long water drops and icicles and looking at their unique shapes and patterns.

I took several pictures, trying to get a water drop as the icicles began to melt. I didn't have much success though. This was the best one. At least I caught the drop in the picture.

Even the spider webs were covered in ice!

Although ice is fun to take pictures of it isn't fun to drive in. Here in Arkansas most of us have no idea how to drive on ice, so we stay home. Schools went virtual and businesses closed. Even though we never got above freezing, the roads did improved later in the day and seem fine today. A little bird told me, well it was actually two big birds, but word from the powerline is that another day of precipitation is coming. Only this time it will be snow that may actually accumulate. Seriously! How long has that been since snow has accumulated in central Arkansas!

I am so looking forward to Monday's snow. There's a down side though, I probably won't be able to see it snowing. I have another lithotripsy procedure scheduled for Monday morning. Bummer!! I should be home around noon, so maybe the snow will continue although I'm sure it will be a couple of days before I can go outside and play. I'll have to be content with watching out the window with a mug of hot chocolate in my hands. I love to watch the snow as it falls quietly to the ground. There is no quietness like the quiet that comes with snow! 

As a side note, I was surprised when I saw these two hawks sitting on the powerline! All this time I've thought there was only one hawk in the area, but the truth is in the picture. There are two of them! The picture is a little blurry because they were very far away and I was shooting through a window. I'm just glad they posed for me.

Whatever the weather where you are I hope you enjoy each day.

Soothing Hymns

I love to play the piano! I play hymns every day as part of my morning worship. Right now I'm playing through a songbook entitled Then Sings My Soul - 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stores.  Robert J. Morgan, the author of the book, entitled his opening words The Cure For Shot Nerves! He is absolutely correct. Hymns can cure many things including shot nerves.

On one side of the page is the hymn and on the opposite page is the history of the hymn and it's composer. The reading of these stories has been fascinating. When I read about the persecution some of these authors went through as they composed the hymns, I realize that my complaints are so very, very insignificant.

At my church we sing all the verses of the hymns. I wonder though if you know that all the verses are not printed in our hymnals. For instance the song All Glory, Laud, and Honor has 78 verses! This hymn was written in A.D 820 by Theodulph a bishop of Orleans, a city south of Paris. I'm guessing their worship time lasted much longer than ours! I wonder how many church goers would sit still for that!!

Old hymns are the ones that pop into my mind. . . 

• when I'm needing assurance (Blessed Assurance written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1873)
• when I'm awed by nature (All Creatures of Our God and King written by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225)
• when I needed guidance (He Leadeth Me written by Joseph H. Gilmore 1862)
• when I need comfort (There is a Balm in Gilead a spiritual written about 1800)

And who does not love Amazing Grace written by John Newton in 1779. I could go on and on about how hymns help me through many situations, but I think you get my meaning.

Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church

The church of my childhood where I was saved.

Old hymns pop up in my mind when I think of my childhood. Hymns like Shall We Gather at the River written by Robert Lowry in 1864. I grew up in a time when we actually did gather at the creek for baptisms. I remember when my sister and I were baptized, which happened to be in the winter months. Our dad who was our pastor made arrangements for us to be baptized in a church with an indoor baptistry. Sounds great! No, it wasn't. Someone forgot to add the hot water and it was cold. Not as cold as a creek, but cold none the less! 

My dad baptizing in the creek

I even remember being a tiny tot singing with my classmates on Sunday morning. I mostly remember I didn't like being up there singing! Yes, that's me, wiping my eyes and hurrying back to sit with my mommy! My sister is the fourth girl from the right.

I remember my aunt playing the piano at church and my mom singing solos. Both my aunt and my mom were taught to read music using shape-notes. In shape-note music the note heads are printed in distinct shapes to indicate their scale degree. Since 1801 shape notes have been associated with American music, especially in the south.

I'll end with one last song Near to the Heart of God written by Cleland B. McAfee in 1903. This is what playing and singing hymns does for me. It keeps me near to the heart of God.

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God:
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;

A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release, 
Near to the heart of God;

A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the Heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, 
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

* * * * *

Do you have a favorite hymn?

I'd love to hear what it is!