This morning, I woke up to a winter wonderland; the kind that is breathtaking to view. I poured coffee into a Christmas mug; the large one that was a gift and is the perfect size. It holds about a half mug more than my normal mug – enough to sip and not have to get up too soon for a refill but not too large for the coffee to get stone cold before the last drop. Perfect for gazing out the window, enjoying the snowy view knowing there was nowhere I needed to be.
Photo courtesy Joe Oleksa
Richmond, VA got its first major snowfall for the season last night (December 18, 2009). It was a little dicey for commuters getting home, but the heavy stuff waited until after rush hour. I love snow on a Friday night, after everyone’s home safe from work and school, with time for roads to be cleared by Monday.
Actually, I did have plans, but they were canceled. Today, my parents planned to have the family Christmas gathering in Farmville. This year, instead of everyone bringing a dish with all the preparation and clean-up, Mom decided to rent a hall and have dinner catered so we would have more time to visit. Years ago, when my nieces and nephews were young, my brothers and their families could get together at my childhood home on Christmas day without too much hassle. Now that my nieces and nephews have families of their own, finding any day when everyone can make it next to impossible; especially during the holidays. Most of the family was able to block today off. Fantastic timing, except Old Man Winter had plans of his own. We rescheduled for next Saturday, but we’ll see who will be able to make it then.
Friday was also start of Winter Break from my son’s high school. That meant this morning my husband, son and I are all home. No work. No school. By Monday, the roads will be cleared, commuters will be back at work, but today we can sit by the fire, enjoy coffee this morning, maybe hot chocolate this afternoon. What better to go with the fire and mug but a good novel? I enjoy a variety of genres; I like to read to learn and to read just for enjoyment.
Today, however, is too perfect for nonfiction. I can read about how to improve myself another day. Yes, I want to make the most of the Norman Rockwell moment. Hum. What type of fiction do I want? For summers on the beach I don’t want anything too “heavy.” A mystery is fine, but not a dark Stephen King. To go with sand, give me a romance, like Cathy Maxwell’s The Earl Claims His Wife, or a fun mystery like Emyl Jenkins’s The Big Steal, or J.B. Stanley’s The Battered Body. Fireside, I can enjoy a humorous love story like Feng Shui Love by Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt, but I can also go with a Christmas story like The Wooden Bell by Francis Wood.
Yesterday, while many Richmonders were stocking at the grocery store, I made sure we had plenty of gasoline in my car and for our generator. Many people buy milk, eggs, etc. which sounds good, but the electricity is typically the first to go, which makes perishables the first to spoil. My husband, being an Eagle Scout, takes “Be Prepared” to heart. No, make that to the extreme. We have a large closet dedicated to camping goods. We have flashlights and lanterns of every size and shape available, enough to equip every room and bath in the house. We also have a GMC Suburban, complete with 4 wheel drive, to get us where we need to go.
My yesterday’s Facebook Status: “While others were panic food shopping, I filled the car and gas cans with gasoline. Generator, check. Fireplace, check. Wine, check. Let it snow!”
Comment 1: “books, check!” Comment 2: “Amen to the books!”
Yes. That goes without saying. Owning a bookstore, finding a good book is not a problem! While today I should have been enjoying my extended family, watching the kids open gifts and the usual Christmas cheer, that will have to wait. I have more shopping to do, but that too will have to wait. Today, I will enjoy the snow, my husband and son being home, the fire and a good book. Even if the power does go out, I can read by the fire by lantern light. That sounds even more cozy. Let it snow!
