I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show." Andrew Wyeth


I miss wintertime.



I miss the sledding hill, my Christmas tree, hot cocoa, "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV, sweaters, the Grinch, and wrapping gifts. I miss building snow forts, Christmas lights, cuddling up with my knitting, baking cookies, going to see Santa, snowflakes that shine like diamonds, and shopping for Christmas gifts.

I can't explain it. Something about this heat and high humidity makes me want to scream.


I remember the day this picture was taken. We had one of those fluffy white snowfalls that caused school to be called off. I woke up at 5:30 am and went out to shovel our driveway. When I was done, I stood looking at the snow clinging to the trees. All I could hear was the wind. The air felt cold and clean when I breathed it in. It was as if time was standing still while I was looking at the dazzling white snow. It was incredible.

I think I'll go start my list of presents to buy for Christmas. It is less than six months away, and it will probably take me that long to get everything ready. I can hear the laughter from those of you who know me well. Every year I strive for this Norman Rockwell Christmas, and I always come up short. But this is the year it's going to happen . . . I can feel it . . . if I start now . . . (goes off to inventory Christmas decorations in the basement . . . )

"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." Augusta E. Rundel