Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Snow


Snow

The Snow Man sat on the edge of a cloud, swinging his feet in the darkness. Puffs of smoke drifted up from his pipe and hung in the blackness like little cartoon thoughts, and occasionally he knocked his black boots together, setting loose snowflakes that fell as warm silky rain showers over unsuspecting parts of Australia. Although winter was only a babe on the calendar, The Snow Man had been busy for weeks, spending a great deal of time wandering through Scotland and over certain parts of France. He had chuckled to himself to see the snarled airports and highways - good to know the importance of his handiwork was still recognized and respected among men. Of course the dogs and the children only saw him as something in which to play and frolic. "Well", he thought, "tis the season, after all".
He was feeling quite jolly, satisfied with himself, sitting there on his cloud, when he suddenly noticed a cottage below. Lit from within with a colourful glow, each window was ringed with a mosaic of frost, each pane casting a warm square of orange out into the grey of the Christmas afternoon. He looked closer. He could now see a lady busy bustling about inside. And there on the floor was a large white dog following her every move as she sat the round table with plates of good food, singing along with the carols that played in the background, stopping every now and then to ruffle the big dog’s fur.
The Snow Man thought. Why, how long has it been? Goodness, well over a hundred years? That long since he’d paid a visit to this lady’s part of the world on this, this one day of days? Could that possibly be correct? Well, one last mission before the day was done wouldn’t kill him. Purely as a Christmas gift for these two in their kitchen. He’d hang around just a bit, just to witness their reaction, just to see their faces when they first spied his gift. Now, that would be fun.
So the Snow Man stood up to his fullest full height, and he made his way down far below to that land where his presence, always so rare yet always so welcome, was sure to surprise those two creatures he’d seen.

The lady was in mid laugh when she noticed the snow, falling as innocently as wishes, down through the pine trees and all over the sleeping garden. All the guests rushed to the windows with delight all around. The big white dog dashed outside for a run before settling down at his place neath the table, where he listened to stories and laughter galore as the snowfall grew denser, ever whiter, in the cold air outside.
And it fell and it fell, all during the night.
It fell till each emerald leaf on the grand old magnolia tree wore a muff of pure white. Till every room in the cottage glowed with with the alabaster fairy light of snow. It fell on till those snug in the cottage fell asleep in their beds, huddled together, happy and safe. It was the perfect Christmas gift and the Snow Man knew it and he smiled.
He made his way home sometime around midnight with the warm glow of Christmas still alive in his heart.

25 comments:

  1. I can just imagine Edward frolicking in the snow....a little bit of a novelty for him I'm sure. What a lovely surprise for one and all.

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  2. What a lovely way to say 'it snowed last night' Pamela, - you have a wonderful way with words and imagination.

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  3. Lovely as usual. The snowman has paid us another visit this morning.

    I hope you can see that big white dog when he is out in the snow!

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  4. What a perfect gift to end the day.

    PS In the hot land of Oz it has been a cold Christmas with a roaring fire in the grate and, would you believe it, SNOW in the alps!

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  5. Hello Pamela

    Beautiful words for a picture picture.

    Have a good week!

    Best
    Tracy :)

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  6. He got a little over enthusiastic with some of those warm silky rain showers over Australia!!
    I am so pleased you had a white Christmas.xx

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  7. Welcome to the club, Pamela! Our world was also made whiter again overnight and still it falls gently. I hope you all have a great time frolicking!

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  8. Snow is so stunning and beautiful that I can forgive its inconveniences.
    A wonderful story.

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  9. This story should be an illustrated book!

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  10. What an enchanting way to tell your snowman tale, Pamela, and what a pleasurable surprise and delight such a rare Christmas snowfall must have been to you all. Thank you for a finely cast tale.

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  11. Lovely story! I hope your holidays have been merry!
    Xo,
    E&J

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  12. The Snowman has been making merry in our neck of the woods as well Pamela. I'm so happy you and Edward had a White Christmas! I loved this story. Such beautiful imagery. I will always remember the line, "falling like wishes"!

    H.H.

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  13. Thank you for this wonderful winter story!

    Wishing you a wonderful Christmastime and Happy New Year,
    Merisi

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  14. Georgia in the snow ? Buckhead blanketed in white ? Bet some of the driving you saw on the interstate was memorable! Wonder if it will be another hundred plus years before it happens again . Or does it pressage climate change and skating on Lake Burton ?

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  15. Your descriptions and stories of the weather and the changes in the year are better than photos...I am so glad you could have and appreciate the snowfall!

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  16. Charming little 'snow event' story, Pamela!! Striking image too.

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  17. What a truly beautiful animal. Love speaks through both of you. Your faithful furry companion is clearly a source of perpetual joy and the feeling is mutual. You remind each us we stear our own course in life, and can choose to feel grounded even when winds come in gail force. We choose our own crew. Working together, we learn or remember how to grow and appreciate everything where we are. Thank you for reminding us we have opportunities to build meaningful relationships. Our true destination is not marked on any chart. We navigate for the shores of the heart and realize we are always there, can appreciate it or not.

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  18. Oh, how perfect Pamela. ..... the most magical Christmas gift that you all could possibly have had.
    Our snow has gone now and it has turned mild but apparently it is going to get cold again and that cheeky snowman could possibly be giving us another little visit sometime soon. I shall make sure that I sing loudly in my kitchen and see what happens !!!! XXXX

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  19. Pamela, I love your words so full of delight and always the pairing with a perfect image!

    All the best in the New Year!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  20. That is a marvelous illustration. I was stopping by because I wanted to wish you a happy new year and thank you for being a follower of my blog. It means a lot to me. Thank you. May your new year be filled with laughter, more joy than sorrow, peace, and wisdom. Blessings to you. Happy new year!

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  21. What a lovely story and I too can imagine Edward frolicking in the snow with great delight

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  22. Magical... lovely...

    Happy New Year, Pamela!

    xo

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  23. Ah... How beautiful, Pamela. Your words transport me into an enchanted land.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!