Let It Snow or Maybe Not!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Friday we were supposed to get snow.  In Pennsylvania when the weather forecasters call for snow, everyone and their mother runs to the store to buy milk, bread, and toilet paper.  I had an excuse, however, to be up at the store buying the same things and it had nothing to do with the weather.  I really was out of all three.  Trust me when I say if I thought I was going to be snowed in for a long period of time my grocery list would include ingredients for baking cookies, frozen pizzas, and Tylenol, in case I had to beat my head against the wall if the power went out.  When my turn came to be checked out, the check out guy decided I looked like a nice lady who would enjoy hearing his life story.  I learned he was from Puerto Rico and hated snow.  He didn’t like walking in snow, looking at snow, seeing snow fall, and it all stemmed from a time when he happened upon some black snow.  He actually asked the check out girl next to him if she could carry him to his car and her expression said, “how did this guy get a job here?”  I always get sucked into these conversations even though I tell myself not to say a word and just nod once or twice, but somehow I ended up telling him I love everything about snow.  I suggested he should have moved to somewhere other than Pennsylvania if he had such an aversion to snow and just to give him something to keep him up at night, I added, “watch out for yellow snow!”  If my husband were there, he would have mouthed, “keep moving, Chatty Cathy.”

Well, it seems I may have spoken too soon in regards to loving everything about snow.  I guess I realized if I had taken the time to delve into all my feelings about snow since getting Fudge and Vern, I would have probably still been there at closing time and somehow finagled into carrying the guy to his car.   As much as I love snow, my dogs love it even more.  When the snow starts to fall, I want to be inside watching it, baking cookies, with my PJ’s and slippers on.  Nothing makes me happier than snuggling up at night in bed with my warm flannel sheets and a good movie knowing that there is a beautiful blanket of snow outside.  Fudge and Vern have very different ideas about what makes snow wonderful.  They want to be out in it, tearing through it, eating it, rolling in it, and most of all, playing in it together. 

They are like two kids in a candy store not knowing what to get into next.  This is a lot of fun to watch for about an hour and then I want to be back in my house romanticizing about the beautiful snow as I sit bundled up inside.  My visions of my dogs quietly snoozing by my feet as I gaze out the window at the falling snow, while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, has so far not happened.  Instead they watch me and hover over me in the hopes that I will decide to don all my winter attire and head back out again.  If I so much as walk in the foyer for a forgotten anything both of them line up at the door and give me their best pleading look.

Walking them in the snow up at our local park isn’t a walk in the park either. Vern is convinced he can eat all the snow in front of him and alternates between walking upright and bobbing for snow.  He also likes to make Vern angels along the way. 

Fudge tries her best to avoid Vern’s flailing legs and locate a place to go to the bathroom, so she can kick back enough snow to build a snowman over any evidence she leaves behind.  If I could remember to bring a carrot, coal, and a corncob pipe, I could finish her snowman to perfection. 

Mostly, I am trying to remain upright and avoid ice.  To help me in that matter, I went ahead and ordered some new snow boots from a catalog that I received in the mail.  They were waterproof and provided better traction, but unfortunately upon arrival, deemed the ugliest boots on the planet by every member of my family, including me, and promptly returned.  In fact, when John saw the Velcro closure instead of laces, he said I would be the envy of all the women up at the retirement home.   This isn’t the first pair of shoes I have gotten that he has poked fun at and the ones I came home with from the Podiatrist office he took one look at and asked me if I had come over on the Mayflower.  I guess comfort matters to me above all else and if that means I walk around like an aged Pilgrim, so be it. 

Today, we had 57-degree weather and instead of snow we now have mud. I wonder if the check out guy hates mud as much as he does snow.  Even though the snow illuminates our yard like a spotlight at night and the dogs can see every critter passing by in the night, I still miss the snow.  I guess it is true what they say; you don’t know what you’re going to miss, until it is gone.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD and I are very jealous. We have had nothing but rain and mud so far this winter. No measurable snowfall at all. Here it was also 57 degrees today and poured rain for hours, and there is a large doodle who refuses to "go" in the rain and who is going to have a very uncomfortable night. I never thought I would say this, but I would be very glad to see snow any time now, even if I do have to go out in it. I'm lousy at baking cookies anyway.

Oh, and I agree with the others, just the idea of "Vern angels" makes me smile!

[Donna K & Quincy]

These are Yak (for)shoes not Yak Chews so just make sure the doods know the difference. ">)

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

We had a couple inches of snow last night as well. I could not keep the dogs inside today and I hated to stay outside with them to supervise. I took them to a dog park and since I'm a careful and loving doodle mom, we put Muttluks on. Auggie's came flying off, we barely passed the dog park gate (I swear that a combination of snow and boots makes them run faster). A few fellow dog lovers sarcastically commented on the "socks". I promptly corrected them saying those are fleece lined booties. Go ahead, laugh, you husky owner. You know nothing about frozen snowballs between our toes or even frozen beards. I used to love snow. Ever since I'm the proud mom of two cream colored doodles, I could live without snow. Here in Colorado, it snows one day and the next day everything melts. The weekend is supposed to be in the 60s. To me, it just means muddy dogs.

I loved the expression "Vern angels". Totally cute!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Forgot to add the pic of the Yaktrax.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hmm Fudge and Vern look like they are having so much fun but some cookies would be good about now.I must confess, I also like snow! I like playing in, I like watching it fall and I don't even mind having to shovel it. I could do without the snowballs on Quincy but a quick dunk in warm water takes care of that. I gave up beauty for comfort years ago, but even I have not resorted to velcro, oh the shame. You don't need ugly boots all you need are a pair of Yaktrax and slipping and sliding are a thing of the past. I have a pair and they are the best thing when it is icy.

The last few days have been perfect for xc skiing and we have been going every day but it is supposed to rain on thurs and it is just going to ruin everything. :<(

[Camilla and Darwin]

I too have been waiting for the picturesque hot chocolate soft snowfall experience. Unfortunately it's all been shattered by having to trudge through wet sludge every day to school. He he. The thought of Vern angels is almost too cute to bear. :-)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I love your snow blog, Laurie. I am wondering if you would consider baking cookies at my house when it rains. We never get snow.

You didn't mention walking at night when big snow flakes are falling and everything is silent. I grew up in Wisconsin and while I am happy not to shovel snow, I do love to watch falling snow when I visit my family there. 

[Sheila & Finnley]

I am so glad you posted a blog tonight. I was just about to turn off the computer and go to bed. Now I have had my night time chuckle. We had about 4 or 5 inches of snow yesterday. It was beautiful, and I had big plans for some pictures in it. It snowed a bit more today too. Tomorrow it's supposed to get up in to the 50's ! Noooo, that just isn't right. First it's a week and a half of sub zero temps, then warms up and snows, not tomorrow will just be a wet cruddy mess.

Now about these old lady shoes you seem to be digging..... velcro Laurie ? Really velcro ? (hanging head and shaking it for you )