Snow Emergency

While most people get to hide inside when there is a snow emergency issued by the mayor of the city, reporters, editors and all those involved in producing a newspaper are not so lucky. In fact, we are expected to trudge through the snow trying to talk to people braving the elements and who are willing to speak about how they feel.



I was that reporter today. A lucky break for me, however, was that I worked from the Oconomowoc Enterprise today instead of the Waukesha Freeman. That saved me from driving 28 miles or so in the hazardous road conditions that closed Brookfield Square Mall, the Milwaukee Courthouse and almost all schools.



I had several tasks to do today. 1) Write a story about the effect of the snow on Ash Wednesday services. 2) Help to proof the Enterprise pages before they went to press and 3) Trudge through the snow to talk to people braving the elements and to get some photos of people doing just that.



It was a lot of fun walking through the snow. I found it rather exciting to be out there reporting on the extreme weather. I must admit it was rough going at times as the wind whipped icy snow into my face preventing me from lifting my head. Worst yet, was having the snow that coated my pants melt and make me feel all soggy as I sat in the office with my damp notepad and frozen pen (I lost my pencil as I made a mad dash to get a photo of a train as the snow swirled around it).



Overall it was a very pleasant day. I even was able to work just 9 am to 4 pm, so here I am writing on my blog to share my interesting day with you.



Quote:

"If you are not living on the edge, you take up too much room."

-Native American saying

A Snowy World

These photos were all taken last weekend after we had one of the most beautiful snow falls that I have ever seen. The snow was havy and wet, so it clung to the trees for days. I loved being able to walk across the street to take these pictures. The little trout stream is so scenic during all the seasons, but it is especially lovely with the snow clinging to the branches that stretch over it.

Quote:

"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."

--Alice Murdoch

"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones."

--Jean Webster

Renewed and Refreshed from Shoveling Snow?

Today got off to a good start. Probably most people wouldn't consider shoveling two inches of snow off the hue circular driveway to be a good start to the day, but I think it is. I was able to clear my head and just daydream. I dreamed of summer and visiting friends and made up little fantasies in my head. I feel refreshed from the chilly air and having snowflakes fall on my head. It's so beautiful. I haven't allowed myself to enjoy winter this year. I have been yearning for spring and warm weather, but I realize that I am missing out on a lot of beauty with this attitude. I guess that being sick kept me inside a lot and the extremely cold weather made everyone a little cranky here. But now that I am feeling better, I am going to get out more and enjoy this wonderous season.

This looks like it will be a busy week. I have newspaper stories to write, work at the coffee shop and then I leave for St. Louis on Friday morning. I am just hoping and praying for good weather so I can go. I want to get out of town for a weekend and of course I am dying to see Aaron.

I just feel so much better after shoveling. Sort of renewed and refreshed. I guess I can get some more of that feeling later as large, fluffy snowflakes just keep tumbling to the ground.

Quote:
"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
--Albert Camus
"Friends are lights in winter; the older the friend, the brighter the light."
--Roger Rosenblatt

Life on this Monday morning

The snow keeps falling here. I love this kind of snowflake: large and in no hurry to get anywhere. We had snow Saturday night and when I awoke on Sunday morning, we had about an inch. As I crossed the street to get the newspaper, I marveled at how it looked like there were a million crystals shimmering in the snow. It was perfect. I haven't shoveled yet, but I haven't been feeling well again. I have to call the doctor later and make an appointment to go in. It seems that my pneumonia has come back. I am tired a lot and my chest is hurting again. I guess that it's good that I haven't gotten another part-time job yet. I am going to stop by the newspaper office today and ask for more writing. I really want to just be able to support myself right now with writing. My parents and I got another book contract for Schiffer Books. The book will be on vintage scarves. My mom and I already own A LOT, so it shouldn't be too hard. I am excited to research the designers. I have also started my book about life in Korea. I am hoping to work on it a lot today. Wish me luck with that! Well, I suppose that I should get back to my writing.

Quote:
"When all is said and done, the weather and love are the two elements about which one can never be sure."
--Alice Hoffman

Winter Wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he's Pastor Brown and when he asks if we're married, we'll say no man, but you can do the job when you're in town. Walking in a winter wonderland....

We got so much snow today. It looks like a winter wonderland outside. I want to go for a walk in it tomorrow and I will post some pictures. It's pretty to look at but it sure isn't fun to drive in. I drove home this morning from my Grandma's house, where I had spent the weekend. I was slipping and sliding, but made the 45 mile ride home safely.

I need to start writing more creative things again but when I try to squeeze this into my time, I don't feel very creative. I talked with my friend Kit tonight and she has this wonderful thing that she is doing every day. Right after she wakes up, she hand writes three pages of ideas and stories that she has in her head. It helps her to reflect on her day as it happens and it also makes her more creative with all areas of her life. I really like this idea and starting tomorrow, I will start my own writing efforts. I have a bunch of book ideas in my head right now and I need to start getting them onto paper or into my computer. I also want to start exercising more. Hence, my walk in winter wonderland tomorrow. I am going to have my mom drop me off at the post office in the morning so I can mail some letters and bills and then I will walk about 2 miles home. I want to take a lot of pictures. I am excited.

I promise to be more exciting in future blog entries...but at least I'm writing!