by L G Hoel

Created on: January 07, 2010   Last Updated: July 02, 2010

Nature has the power to quickly help us realize that we too can be small insignificant creatures. We can get ourselves all puffed up with our power and modern day living. One storm can come along and quickly bring us down to earth, even leave us in fear at times.

The first week in January will now hold special memories for the Robert Johnson family. Bob and Carol recently moved to the Upper Midwest with their four children. An old timer told them, "you can expect about nine months of winter and maybe three months of tough sledding around here." Bob knew the fellow was joking. The old fellow made the point that winter here could be harsh and long though.

Early in the morning on Monday, January 4, 2010 Bob took his first look out of the kitchen window for the day. Looking toward the yard light he saw huge snow flakes falling. They were coming straight down and seemed to be the size of silver dollars. It was a sight to behold, a real winter wonderland scene.

Bob could see there was already a small snow drift in front of the garage door. No problem, just shovel out the door and take the pickup to work today. As Bob started to lift his first shovel full of snow his feet went out from under him, he forgot about the freezing rain that came down the evening before. Bob hadn’t made a snow angel for years but he was flailing around trying to get up and was making one now. It was solid ice under the new snow but he got the garage door shoveled out quickly and was thinking about the nine-mile trip to work on the icy road.

There was time for a quick cup of coffee before leaving for work. As Bob entered the kitchen, Carol said, "the local radio station just announced that no travel is recommended anywhere in this part of the state. The roads are covered with ice and it sounds like they might soon be blocked with snow too." The radio started to announce the school closings, some schools planned to open but the busses would not go out today.

The children were all smiles, no school today. Carol cooked a big breakfast for everyone. They could all make new plans for the day now. Katie and Sarah had electronic games that they could play and tv to watch or maybe even homework from school. Andrew and Ryan would probably work on model airplane projects. Carol will have the sewing machine humming all day. Bob was planning on catching up on some neglected reading and maybe a few repair jobs around the house.

It was midmorning before the very predictable north west wind started

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