We had snow on the ground this morning. Actually, last night the ground was covered before we went to bed. Had I still been teaching, I would not have slept a wink. I would be awaiting a call that would say “No school,” “one hour delay,” or “two hour delay.” The time of the call would always vary. If we were lucky, we might get the call before we went to bed – most of the time this was not the case. Our calls came anywhere from 4:30 AM to 6:30 AM for a delay and then around 8:00 we might get the call that said “No School!” Bill and I were lucky to be on a reliable branch of the phone tree. We always got a call! Some of our co-workers did not always receive a call. We came up with a plan that some of them would receive a call from more than one person – this helped.
The time of information about school caused me to experience some anxiety when I still lived in Huntington. I would always leave earlier when bad weather was predicted. It would be days like this that Dad would say I should stay home - call in sick! Then he and I would discuss the responsibilities I had with my job and how many days HE had called in sick! :) When I would ask him if he would stay home, he would grin and say no! It was at this time he began to realize his “little girl” did have a job, and that I had to go and do that job! He would not want me to go to work; he wanted me to stay of the road and stay safe. However, Mom had others ideas about me staying home. She did not drive, so, she had no fear of the road. She had complete faith in all of us and our driving skills. She always wanted/needed to go to the store – regardless of how much snow there was. You jingle those keys, and she was ready to go!
Now Mom really liked to get out and have a snowball fight!!!!
This was also before the “phone tree” was started, and we had to depend on the radio and TV for information. So many people were like me, they were already at school or on the road by the time we received the information about the status of school for that day. Many times I would have to turn around and head back home. There were times when I would be at school only to be told to go on back home. On one of those occasions, it took us about six hours to get home!!! The roads were horrendous with wrecks blocking traffic. The roads were dangerous because the salt trucks had not been able to clear the roads - it was snowing that hard!
The amount of snow this morning around us was minimal – but there have been days when they would call off school for the day with the same amount as we had today. Some days we would travel on snow covered roads that were extremely slick with school NOT delayed or called off for the day. We never could figure out the reasoning on when school would be open or not! Some of the problem stemmed from the size of the county and that part of the county would have a large amount of snow fall while other areas would have none! Attendance now plays a part on the funding the school system receives. Counties now have to call off the whole county because of this system.
To my friends still teaching, Bill and I will think of you on these days. We understand the anxiety or frustration of not knowing. We also know that to have snow days this early means extra days with the kids around June!! Snow days were always welcomed during the months of January and February. Usually there are no scheduled days off during those two months. Those months after Christmas aalways seemed so long!
If you look closely, you will see Toby running through the heavy snow from years past! We did get the day off with this snow!
Mom and Dad on a means of transportation that might not be what they needed with a snow fall!!!
The season is here – snow is on its way! Hopefully everyone will enjoy it and stay safe! I saw a “wooly worm” the other day. He was back on both ends and brown in the center. According to Appalachian folk lore – we are going to have a rough winter in the beginning and at the end of the season with a mild time in between. Time will tell!
Today’s snow also brought to mind the poem written by the poet Robert Frost - "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" - which I would like to share with you.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Yes, this is a poem I used with my kids. Some liked it – most didn’t!!!! Robert Frost’s poems were part of the English/reading series. I will not give you a lesson on the poem – it’s here just for you to read!
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